On a Sunny Sunday

Sometimes, you just have to hop in the car and take off somewhere! That’s what I did on Sunday. After being super scheduled for the past month, things are beginning to clear up a bit and I found myself with a free day. So, off I went to explore.

I grew up in a neighbourhood designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the famed landscape architect who created Central Park in NYC. One of his hallmarks is using the land as his guide, following the curves of the hills and valleys to create non-linear streetscapes. Roland Park, where I lived, has a lot of hills, but the neighborhood I wanted to explore, Sudbrook Park, is basically flat with winding streets, open spaces and large historic houses. You enter the neighbourhood over a one-lane bridge and then the streets branch out before you.

Most of the houses were in the shingle cottage style. I was particularly taken with these two, which are similar, but the two-story windows are a little different.

And I adored this one.

I couldn’t quite figure this one out. Nothing seemed quite right about it.

From Sudbrook Park, I headed up the road to see one of my favourite buildings. It’s the current HQ for the Maryland State Police, but at one point, it was the Home for Confederate Veterans where my many greats-grandfather was exiled after the Civil War.

I think it’s such a handsome place, looking more like a house in New Orleans than Baltimore.

The whole property is fascinating. It’s sort of Georgian in design, with what were originally barracks for the old soldiers, surrounding a courtyard.

And the details are so interesting. This is sort of a turret with an eagle and shield on it.

From there, I headed over to a nearby thrift shop where I always have great luck! I picked up this Emma Bridgewater Union Jack mug for a pittance.

And this antique apothecary bottle for slightly more than a pittance.

I still haven’t quite figured out what Ol. Gaulth is, although I think gault is a heavy clay. Hmmm. Any ideas?