We have an old wooden frigate that is berthed at the Inner Harbour called the Constellation, the sister ship to the Constitution in Boston. This weekend, as part of the commissioning ceremony for the The USS Sterett, the Navy's newest $1.3 billion guided-missile destroyer, the Constellation left its berth and took the three-mile trip to the other side of the penninsula. 
It was just the most gorgeous evening, with temps in the low 80's, no humidity and a nice fresh breeze. 
As the Constellation left the Inner Harbour, I began snapping photos, and then followed the ship out to the little dock at the end of the street where I used to live.
As the sun was beginning to set, Constellation headed out to Fort McHenry, birthplace of the National Anthem, where they were flying the huge 30 x 40 foot flag. 
It really was just a spectacular evening and I am so pleased I could share it with you.
We are having an "outing" this Friday and one of our stops is here: http://www.nationalharbor.com/ - I am looking forward to get back down to the DC area (even if it's only for a day) after such a long absence even though it's going to be a very long day!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Baltimore since I was a teenager, but I loved it. These photos are beautiful. We just spent a week in D.C. and I wish we'd had time to make a day-trip over there. -Julia
ReplyDeleteGuilty as charged -- went to the Sterett commissioning ceremony last eve -- absolutely beautiful -- as are your pix.
ReplyDeleteI went there a couple years ago and loved it - looks like you also had a great time!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this! I've been to Baltimore for just one short evening, had dinner on the beautiful harbor. I think we'll be there in Nov., and you have certainly inticed me :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd Go MICHAEL!!!! You guys must be partying big time!
visited for the first time a couple of summers ago and enjoyed a good lunch near the harbor. It was hot and steamy. as always, love your posts.
ReplyDeletei haven't visited baltimore since i was a small child, and hardly remember it, but my adult impressions haven't been formed by the gritty cop shows, but rather the movies of john walters, and the novels of anne tyler- of course now supplemented by the posts of pigtown design!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that almost all of my knowledge of Baltimore comes from Homocide and the Wire, both excellent shows. Even so, I always thought it was a beautiful historic city. Thanks for sharing such lovely pictures!
ReplyDeleteoh yeah, forgot- beautiful photos meg!
ReplyDeleteand a question- how did the constellation get around without sails? has it been retrofitted with a motor? i don't see a tug in the last photo, so i thinking that can't be it...
What lovely pictures! It doesn't take long to get to Baltimore from Delaware, but we haven't made the trip in a long time.
ReplyDeleteVV... We are thrilled about Michael, and also Katie Hoff, who's from the same club as Michael!
ReplyDeleteI am also very happy about Nicole Cook, who got a gold in the Women's Road Race. She's from a tiny village in the Vale of Glamorgan, where I lived in Wales. I used to see her biking in all sorts of weather.
M21... Yep, life in Baltimore is just like a John Waters movie. The Ann Tyler books are written about the area where I grew up and sometimes, it was just a little odd reading them because she described houses I knew inside and out...
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the Constellation, there was a tug, but it's on the port side, so you can't see it. All of the festivities going on in honour of moving the ship were happening on the starboard side, so the tug was on port.
Wonderful photos. Although it's too bad she can't go out under sail.
ReplyDeleteBaltimore is a seriously underrated city.
Absolutely gorgeous!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't Baltimore the city of those great movies by , ok never mind I'm totally blanking on his name. He did Avalon? who is that??? But wasn't Diner about Baltimore?
ok - these pictures are so gorgeous.
You should have heard Ben screaming last night during the relay with the French swimmers. omg - you would have thought it was the superbowl or something, he was yelling at the top of his lungs - go, go, go, take that you stupid French!!! he was so racist. hahaha!!
That would be Barry Levinson... another hometown boy. He did Avalon, Diner and Tin Men, which were an arc about a family who came to Baltimore. I remember watching them film a scene in a creche with kevin bacon, whose sister is a friend of mine (2 degrees!).
ReplyDeleteSir Fop... I don't think that she's even got a set of sails anymore. They only really take her out twice a year - to turn her around so she weathers evenly!
ReplyDeleteLOVE THAT SHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a beauty! We're getting a half doz. tall ships sailing in next week, and I can't wait...one or two will anchor right behind my store!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful sight. I would have enjoyed. Just recently found out I have a Baltimore connection. Geneologically that is. The old Zion Lutheran Church's first and founding minister (abt 1750) Was my many g's grandfather Johannius Georgious Baugher who came over to the US from Germany. I understand they still conduct service in German. I'd love to check it out someday.
ReplyDeleteLondon... one of my most favourite things is listening to the bells from the Zion Church on Sunday mornings when we're at the Farmers' Market (see my Pigtown Pigout blog for weekly market reports and pictures - the link is to the right). The bells bring back wonderful memories of the bells on Sunday in the UK.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! We lived in DC for six months about a decade ago and visited Baltimore's Inner Harbour a couple of times (once during the ice sculpture festival in winter--do they still do that?). I have fond memories of the city. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photographs :-)
ReplyDeleteWe love Fort McHenry at my house and have spent many wonderful hours there. I especially love Defender's Day on the second Saturday of September. They recreate the Battle of Baltimore in war of 1812 using re-enactors, the all-forces band, the marines and their big huge guns, fireworks, etc...It's just an awesome event and we try to go every year. Starts at 6. See you there!
ReplyDeleteI've never been, but your photos are gorgeous! And here I thought the most gorgeous thing in Baltimore was Kyle Boller! :)
ReplyDeleteThe clouds in that last picture were beautiful!!
ReplyDeletewhat gorgeous photos - I especially love the ones of the Constellation ship, so artistic. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great time for Baltimore'ans!
ReplyDeleteIt is an old and worthy city that has a lot to offer. We'll have to get back one day. Especially since Mrs. E. has informed me that a great-grandfather (I think?) was the senator (?) who introduced legislation to make "The Star Spangled Banner" the national anthem... the kids should know, even if I'm unclear on the facts.
But why let that get in the way of a good story?
Great pics.
Nope, not just The Wire, Baltimore is also the home of Ace of Cakes!
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and giving me this link. What beautiful pictures! Have a wonderful Flag Day. I'll come back to see pictures of this year's celebration. laurie
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