2007 Maryland and Delaware

August 2007

Sing it… “Duh duh duh… anotheronebitesthedust…. da da da… anotheronebitesthedust… and anotherone…” oh, you get the idea. The list is getting smaller by the year. This trip takes Maryland and Delaware off the list and some cool things happened.  The page is worth spending time on. Have fun.

Cylburn Arboretum – Baltimore

This is a nature preserve and city park. Situated on about 200 acres of public land, it has a neat old mansion and very different plant displays. These photos are mostly from the formal gardens.

(Click here for their website.) 

National Aquarium- Baltimore

(Website)

While it is a National site, it is an OK aquarium. There are some very interesting things here. While it isn’t quite at the level of Monterey California it is very good. If you are an aquarium fan don’t overlook  Oklahoma in Jenks)

National Wildlife Refuge

(Website)

One of the best visitor centers in the National Wildlife Refuge system. This alone is a reason to find it. (Don’t even think about stopping on the road to take a photo. However, because they discourage that, I am morally bound to try. I don’t listen. I got some really good photos!)

Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge

(Website)

It is probably a cool place in the fall but in August it is the most bug infested place on earth, or at least where we’ve been. I don’t recommend it during the summer. I do, however, recommend it if you are in training for the Olympic Jumping Back Into The Car finals.

Bruce went down the path until the bugs chased him back to the car.

Baltimore Inner Harbor

They have revitalized the city here and they have done a terrific job.

These sailors were from a Brazilian ship, visiting Baltimore.

I just thought this was a nice touch.

The Brazilian ship.

There is a blue crab in the water. Bruce never saw one in the wild and on the dinner table.

Attman’s Deli- Baltimore

(Website)

“Selling is like shaving… if you don’t do it everyday, you’re a bum.” (Harry Attman)

Dinner (actually, lunch. Dinner sounds better for the narrative while Lunch withstands Fact Check.) and theater rolled into one. The food was good and the atmosphere was superb. We even had a car towed from in front that belonged to two of our room mates in the Kibitz Room. We met Robin, too. (Oh, I also bought a hat which I’m going to wear in Scotland where they don’t make corned beef sheep sandwiches.)

This is the street theater. The guys are towing the car. Ultimately, they talked the driver out of taking it away by giving him four hotdogs.

Attman's Famous Deli.

Robin is getting married later this year and I offered to take her pictures. There is more to the story but I don't have time to write it today.

Salisbury Zoo

(Website)

Really one of the little jewels that Bruce finds around the country. This is a free zoo run by a very good staff. They have a number of very interesting things as well as a great gift shop. (Say “Hi” to Ann, Millie and Mary when you go there and stick a fiver in the bear, too.)

SNAKE!!!

Bruce liked this little fellow.

Bruce watches his second favorite animal, the otter. He otter like them simply because they are cute. They are also vicious little fucks.

Every pine tree likes a little bird with a huge tail from time to time.

Millie thinks this has something to do with strollers but nobody is really sure.

I think this was the first time Bruce ever did this. Ever. I didn't know he knew how to take a photo.

An example of how good the 18-200 VR Nikon is when used by a persistent pro like me.

Bruce adds another Gift Shop Girls photo to the collection.

My tribute to a famous photographer whom I admired.

Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge

(Website)

This was the jewel of the wildlife refuges we saw on this trip. Besides giving me a chance to test the Panorama Builder function in Photoshop CS3 (superb! Way better than Realviz Stitcher Express (a complete dog)) The butterflies were very cool as was Babs in the gift shop.

He usess a variety of maps and we love Visitor Center maps of their area.

The Crab House Restaurant in Delmar

We sat next to these women who ate a dozen crabs. Bruce never saw this before and was intrigued. He had a broiled plate and, since it was Friday, I had steamed shrimp and some fried clams.

"This is a fine product."

"C W A B B I E... that is what you are to me... Cwabbie." The women next to us eating blue crabs.

The traffic heading to the restaurant.

Toby’s Dinner Theater – Columbia, MD

This is becoming a fixture on BNEA trips. It is our second dinner theater evening. Bruce never saw Little Shop Of Horrors so a good time was had by all.

(Website)

I have seen this three times including their off Broadway Run and this performance was star quality.