Wednesday, September 1, 2010

2010 Visiting the Baltimore Stumpes (8/29-9/1/2010)

Sunday, August 29, 2010
Early flight to Baltimore, but had a long wait for the first light rail train to run on a Sunday. $1.60 each to travel into the city and then walk a few blocks to the Baltimore Stumpes' conveniently located townhouse. Kyle arrived later in the day.
First time to meet grandson Pierce in person. He had a rough start with milk and soy allergies, but now is such a content and happy baby, smiling and cooing when awake, and getting plenty of sleep.
We stayed at "Erich's hotel," the Monaco.

Monday, August 30, 2010
Met Vivian, Dylan and Pierce at the Baltimore Science Museum. There we ran into Dylan's friend Ethan. Here they are supposed to build flying machines to test in a column of blowing air.
G'pa did pretty well. Dylan wanted to practice using scissors.
Dylan and G'pa balanced on a seesaw board (Vivian holding Pierce behind Dylan). 
Dylan and G'pa:
Kyle met us for lunch at Noodles & Company. Vivian took the boys home for a nap, and we adult visitors went to see the American Visionary Museum. Unfortunately, it was closed on Monday. Walked around the Inner Harbor. A Navy coastal patrol ship, the USS Monsoon, was docked there.
In the photo above, you can see the World Trade Center, the tallest building to the right. We went to the "Top of the World", the observation deck on the 27th floor. We could view the USS Monsoon and the historic USS Constellation from above.
Another view down the Baltimore Harbor towards the Atlantic Ocean, with the Baltimore Aquarium directly below.
Dylan might have enjoyed the view of all the Matchbox cars.
Later Dylan joined us to take the free Circulator bus to Obrycki's for dinner. The Obrycki Crab House and Seafood Restaurant is known for all things blue crab. Most customers ordered the highly seasoned steamed crabs, which were dumped in the middle of the table covered with brown paper, and  you then had to use a knife to slit them open and a wooden mallet to break open the claws. We came for the crab cakes,
supposedly a favorite of former Baltimore TV news co-anchor Oprah Winfrey.
The chef agreed to make a grilled cheese sandwich especially for Dylan!

Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Met Vivian, Dylan and Pierce, and Kyle at the Port Discovery Children's Museum.
Thank goodness Uncle Kyle was there to climb through the rope tunnels and maze with Dylan. We spent a lot of time shopping at the convenience store.
Pierce discovered a new friend in the mirror.
We had a pretend lunch in the cafe,
before a real lunch at World Foods. 
G'pa with Pierce aka Pete.
We had Erich's birthday dinner at Maisy's.
Vivian, Erich & Pierce:
Dylan slept through dinner.
Vivian took the boys home, and the rest of us went to Camden Yards to see the Baltimore Orioles play the Boston Red Sox.
Our section was full of Red Sox fans, including Kyle, Erich and Kent.
A lone Oriole fan was pretty loud and mouthy, but we didn't think he really needed to be kicked out of the ballpark!
The usher/Oriole fan and a Red Sox fan had a friendly discussion, but they are both talking at the same time!
We saw several home runs. The Orioles won the game 5-2.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Another $1.60 each to take the light rail to the airport. Managed to spend only $6.40 total for transportation in Baltimore. Flew back home to Jax.

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