Baltimore, Maryland - Fort McHenry and So Much More

Baltimore, Maryland boasts Fort McHenry, plus other interesting sights. Fort McHenry suffered a twenty-five hour bombardment from the British fleet during the War of 1812. When dawn broke, the 32 x 40 foot American flag still flying above the fort gave the impetus to Francis Scott Key to pen the poem, The Star Spangled Banner. Not one shell ever hit any of the British ships, because the range of the cannons at the fort was limited. The fort suffered the pounding of over 1,500 cannon balls and rockets. Why the British did not continue to fire at the fort is unknown. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. Perhaps, they wanted an easy victory over the town of Baltimore after having burnt Washington D.C. When the fort did not fall in one day, they decided to go elsewhere.

After touring the fort we drove to the inner harbor. This is a Mecca for locals and tourists alike. Many restaurants, hotels, and shops vie for the visitor's dollars. Some of the other attractions available there are the tall ship, Constellation, the Aquarium, the USS Brown from W.W.II, and the sensory filling ambience of harbor life.

Hugging the dock area we came upon the Fell's Point section of the city. Here herring bone patterned brick streets, old market places, brownstone row houses, give a glimpse of life in English colonial days. The area still vibrates that atmosphere, without being pretentious. Traveling fast in a truck along uneven brickwork is an oxymoron. While driving you think you have a flat tire x 4, because of the noise.

Further along is the Canton neighborhood, so named because of a Can Company, which dominated both the skyline and the employment opportunities. Many row houses line the streets, reminiscent of a company town. The streets, albeit narrow, are macadam paved. Goodbye flat tire noises.

Bordering Canton on the North lays Patterson Park, a square mile playground for the residents of the city. Facing the park is a church, which spires we had viewed from across the harbor while at the fort. It turned out to be St Michael's Ukrainian Church, complete with golden onion domes.

On the return trip to the center of the city we looked for Little Italy. We knew when we had reached our goal. Mamma Mia, does anyone eat mama's home cooking anymore? Restaurants galore filled both sides of the streets. You will never guess the nationality of the cuisine. One hint, there were no Chinese carry-outs.

Drove past the impressive Bromo Seltzer Tower, saw the modern convention center, Raven's football stadium, and Camden Yards.

Overall, we enjoyed our short trip to Baltimore, MD. Steeped in tradition and history, the city still thrives as an important seaport, the harbor area attracting most of the attention. The city has many interesting neighborhoods, each one trying to protect its individuality and charm.

John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy. He is retired from the rat race of working. He is a full-time RVer, who ran away from home. He began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System. He has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music, A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures, links, and more information visit http://www.jmpelley.org.

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