Sis Link in Baltimore

We left Solomons, over-nighted in Weems Creek off Annapolis and then found ourselves motoring in a flat calm up the Patapsco River to Baltimore.  We had heard that the Inner Harbour was the place to be and there was even an anchorage.  Hmmn?  Sited between the Torsk (a submarine) with repetitions of “dive, dive” as sirens blared and hyperactive paddle boaters was a thin sliver of water.  Combined with harbour slop and a serious rubbish problem, it was not attractive.  We hailed the City Docks - only $80 a night (even more with electricity)!   Back we steamed to Canton where we remained for our stay, the only boat on anchor in the harbour…

Just the two three of us... (JGP Photo)

As luck would have it, Canton was more convenient anyway.  A huge Safeway was just across the road and a choice of 2 Starbucks for the Motleys to further indulge the Latte habit.  West Marine was a short walk away too.  So we were all happy. 

Visionary Art Museum Baltimore

Baltimore’s Inner Harbor was once 18 & 19^th century docks.  It’s now a playground with an assortment of museums, an aquarium and various other ways to spend your money.  GS headed off alone to visit the American Visionary Art Museum while the lads located an electronics shop.  “Do you have stores this big in Australia?”  “Nah mate, the roos’d start breedin’ in ‘em.  Then we’d ‘ave a bit of a problem”….

We could easily scoot to Fells Point in Bruce however.  This neighbourhood is a bit more of a local hangout, with lots of bars, restaurants and history.  Fells Point  began its life in 1726 as a colonial port where more than 600 ships were built, including the later Baltimore Clippers, and the US frigate Constitution.  The streets are cobblestone and at nights the pavements are full of diners eating a local favourite – mussels.  Fells Point even boasted a (free) public dock! 

We ate delicious mussels (steamed in Guinness & Old Bay) at Berthas one night, after sampling a few of her home brews in the downstairs pub – a narrow heritage building, dark and mysterious, with flaking moose heads, weasels in underpants, strange horned light fittings and lots of atmosphere.  We were told by the barman and one of his more chatty patrons that upstairs was once a speakeasy.  Another night we had a few beers in Max’s.  They have 102 on tap, and 600 more in bottles.  All this and NO Aussie beer!   The boys had a go at a top shelf tasting, the Cap’n taking it easy with “thimbles”.  Then we tried a pizza at BOP.  Their “large” is more than 18 inches across.  It covered our table.  

Name & Shame.  For our last night, the boys decided to try the nearby Tiki Hut Bar at Bo Brooks.  The Crew became embroiled in a brouhaha over proof of age.  Despite numerous photo ID’s, even Management, who was summonsed to referee, refused to accept them as legit and demanded to see BW’s passport.  It was out on WJ3!  The Cap’n, after finishing his cold & frosty, promptly announced to all and sundry that there would be no need to get said passport as we were taking our business elsewhere!  And so we did – back to Fell’s Point and into Woody’s, high up on the third floor overlooking the docks.  The boys drowned their sorrows in half yards of Mexican beer – and they even got to keep the glasses.  Bargain!

(Ed note: to further rub salt into wounds, the Tiki Hut Bar charged BW US$1.00 on his card – the one that wasn’t used, for the beer that wasn’t to be had and despite being assured there would be no charges. Don’t go near the place!).

From: Solomons Island Patuxent R.  To: Baltimore, Patapsco River

Lat/Long: 38:19.86N  76:19.80W  Lat/Long: 39:16.70N  76:34.86W

Date/Time: 14/6/11: 0655  Date/Time: 15/6/11: 1515

Time Taken: 75nm (14hrs)  Distance: 133.5nm (23hrs) this year

Dist Total: 5505.5nm (since 2008)

Weather: N-NE; 10-15kts; 2-3’ seas; showers & a bit of a chop - wind against current

Fastest Speed: 5-6kts