2012 Vacation: Day 2

Where were we? Oh, right -- hoping to get a good night's sleep in Baltimore after driving all day. Ehhh....not so much. We definitely live in the country, because it seemed SO loud in Baltimore at night. Plus the sleep number beds that were not sleep number beds (and were full-sized when we're used to sleeping on queen-sized at home).

Needless to say, the guys were up fairly early to take care of errands far and wide, while Grace and I slept in and then headed out. We weren't feeling too adventurous, so we had Subway for lunch. Then, on a whim, I decided that she and I would walk to the Inner Harbor. In case I haven't mentioned, she's not a big walker. However, based on some motivational tools we've been implementing with her and the desire to not sit in our hotel room, we set off. (Well, not before we detoured back to the hotel to get walking directions -- I didn't want to rely on my sketchy sense of direction.)

This water fountain/statue-thingy is basically the gateway to the Inner Harbor (at least it is when you walk in from the city). I tried my darndest to figure out what it's called, but no can do. Maybe some astute reader will know....

We made a pit stop at Urban Outfitters, during which I had to steer Grace away from SEVERAL items, one of those being this:

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Let's just say that we hightailed it out of there.

Next up was Ripley's Believe It or Not!. (Or more accurately, the part you don't have to pay to see. Based on the free stuff, I don't think we were missing much.)

I couldn't get back far enough to take a photo of the entire "picture," but do you see anyone in this photo?

It's the King of Pop -- Michael Jackson made entirely out of soda cans! His hair is the top left dark triangle and then you can see one of his eyes smack dab in the middle. Stare at it a while -- you'll see it. I promise.

We decided to take a little break after that (too much excitement for us!) Here was our view from the bench looking out at the Inner Harbor.

(World Trade Center is on the left, National Aquarium is the pointy building...but don't quote me on that.)

We trekked back to the hotel, freshened up, and then while waiting for one of the guys, we took a "real" photo of Grace and I.

Then we were off to Bethesda, MD to meet up with our friend Andrea -- yay!!! We met at Rock Bottom brew pub and had a great dinner! Those who drink beer enjoyed some great beer and we all enjoyed some great food --- especially the appetizer and the dessert.

Ball Park Pretzel appetizer:

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For dessert? Warm donut holes!!! Wish I'd taken a photo (or that they had one on their site.) (In case you couldn't tell -- Weight Watchers is so far out the window now!!!)

 

Good food, good company! (Although, with Grace sitting between Andrea and I, I'm pretty sure we both have whiplash. :)

 

Glad we got to see Andrea (for our once-every-three year visit!) Now she MUST come to Boston!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

With full stomachs and full smiles we headed back to our hotel to sleep our last night in Baltimore.

 

Tomorrow? DELAWARE!!!