On Friday, August 27, Debby and I took the Marc train to Baltimore. Our first stop was to Westminster Hall at the University of Maryland's Medical School and Law Center, which is where Edgar Allan Poe's grave is located. The hall used to be Westminster Presbyterian Church, but is now used for special occasions and is surrounded by the Westminster Cemetery. There are graves dating back to the late 1700's along with several crypts and catacombs under the hall.
We decided to walk to Poe's house/museum. About five blocks into the walk we realized we were in the middle of the "projects," but only about three blocks from the museum. We ended up walking right past the museum because the projects were built right up to it. We asked the mailman where the museum was located and when we got back down to the end of the block, there was a cop outside of the museum. Turns out, it does not open until Noon and the "Lieutenant" was pulling an extra shift for some OT. They have an officer outside the museum during open hours so people will feel comfortable stopping there. I am not kidding when I tell you it is in the projects. We talked football with the Lieutenant until the museum opened. Once we entered into the museum, they locked the door. When you leave they lock the door when you enter they lock the door. Get the picture? The house is very small. The room Poe used is in the attic and most people I know would not be able to stand up straight in that room.
Next stop was Inner Harbor, via cab. Edgar Allan Poe was all Debby, I wanted to see the ships! The USS Constellation was launched in 1854 is was the last all-sail warship built by the U.S. Navy and was in service during the Civil War. It is the only ship to be active during the Civil War and still be afloat. The captain's quarters was much larger than I would have guessed, and it had two bathrooms! However, the infirmary had the best looking beds that hung from the ceiling.
Next was the Lightship 116 Chesapeake. Commissioned in 1930, it was the most stable and efficient in use with the US Lighthouse Service. This ship had two 5,000-pound anchors and twice it had to ride out hurricanes. The chain broke to the anchor forcing the crew to drop the second anchor and head into the wind for hours to stay on their assigned station. They also had dogs on the Chesapeake and they were listed by name and years of service - very cool! (Sorry Kim, my camera battery died or I would have taken a picture for you.)
Lastly, we id not toured the submarine USS Torsk. This sub was in service from 1944-1968 and was used during WW II from Pearl Harbor to Japan and was credited for sinking three Japanese ships. There were more knobs, levers and gadgets on this sub than I have ever seen in my life. I am not sure how the men operated in such small areas let alone launch missiles. In the end this sub was used for training before it was decommissioned in 1968.
Fell's Point was our final stop while in the Baltimore. We found this great gallery by Robert McClintock and a few cute shops, then we went to the bar "The Horse You Came In On." Just so happens to be the last place Edgar Allan Poe was seen alive. We wrapped up the day eating Maryland crab. First time I have ever had fresh crab, it was very good.
There is a lot more to Baltimore that I did not see, so I know I will be going back.
