Baltimore, MD - Inner Harbor

Great day on the water traveling from Annapolis to Baltimore. With temperatures around 90 degrees and little breeze. This would be a horrible day for racing sailboats! I'm feeling a bit conflicted!

Ritz Carleton condo development located next to the marina.

Aquarium building on the Inner Harbor.

Two Navy cargo ships have been sitting in the Harbor for two years, we are told. Periodically the ships engines and other systems are run.

Lots of ships and mechanical equipment along the water.

Entering the Baltimore Harbor is very different from entering Annapolis. Huge ships and industry line the River and new developments are in the Inner Harbor. The boat traffic was heavy and we passed the Spirit of Baltimore, a tall ship. We also saw a modern tall, racing sailboat. I couldn't help but watch as they dropped the mainsail. A crew member was walking on the mast, folding the mainsail. That's a big boat!

The Pride of Baltimore is beautiful under sail.

Maybe you'd rather go for a thrill ride with 75 of your closest friends!

We could see this boat from quite a distance. Certainly caught my eye!

Like I said.........BIG boom!

We stayed at Baltimore Harborview Marina. Locals had told us the City Dock was not a great place and was quite a rowdy crowd without security protection. After walking the boardwalk around the City, we would recommend staying at the City Dock. Looked fine to us. Our marina was rather pricey and not as good a location as the City Dock.

One view of the Aquarium. Pretty spectacular place.

This diver was an employee checking on the fish. He waved after his picture was taken.

This was the strangest fish I had ever seen. He appeared to be kissing with his lips and was intrigued with the cameras. He would follow your hand or camera if you moved it in front of him.

Fossils records 200 million years old are on record and have undergone little change over time.Sturgeon are considered living fossils. They can grow up to 18 feet long.

This cayman was giving me "the eye". Not sure which eye it was.....

Across the Patapsco River in the Inner Harbor, we could see the Aquarium so we decided to walk. Hot and 90 degrees, but interesting! The Lightship Chesapeake, built in 1930, is moored next to the Aquarium. The Chesapeake had two 5000 pound mushroom anchors to hold in all weather.  The ship was run with 8-16 men.

I love Lightships! Remember the Portsmouth. The bravest of the brave worked on Lightships.

Check out this bollard used for the Lightship Chesapeake.

Submarine USS Torsk.



Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse built in 1851.



USCGC Tanney. The last surviving warship of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.





Aerial of Fort McHenry. Don't know why this picture is up here!!!!

A submarine is located behind the Chesapeake and a Coast Guard Ship, supposed to be the last ship remaining from Pearl Harbor, is there as well. The Constellation, built in 1854, is the last Civil War era Naval vessel afloat and one of the last sail powered vessels built by the US Navy.


USS Constellation - Flagship of the US African Squadron 1859-1861.

We enjoyed a visit to Fort McHenry another star-shaped fort.. The best way to view and travel to the Fort was by Water Taxi. Liking that! Ruth went with us and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. Despite the 95 degree temperatures we toured the interior and exterior of the Fort. Guess everyone else was enjoying air conditioned comfort. Fort Mc Henry defended Baltimore against the British in the War of 1812. During this embattlement, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner. There is a buoy in the place Francis Scott Key was to have stood when he saw the flag "by the dawn's early light".

Jane and Bill Sneeringer, my cousins who live in Baltimore joined Ruth and Wayne with us for dinner at Phillips on the River front. So nice to see them! When we were in Marathon we were able to visit with Jane and Bill while they vacationed in Marathon.