A day in Inner Harbor with my camera, three bottles of water and a ham sandwich was my goal.  During the drive I decided to stop at Hunt Valley and take the light rail.  I hadn’t been on the light rail in years, and never with the thought to just jump off at any stop to take pictures.  This is why I love solo adventures.  I can be completely unpredictable, and I don’t mind.

I paid the $2.20 student fare, excited to get this journey moving forward.  A young man was walking through aisle, picking up litter.  There really wasn’t much to pick up.  I asked him how long until the train leaves and he said there was a 15 minute lay-over.  So much for getting back on the move.  Why not entertain myself with taking photos?

To view the thumbnails at full size and for best quality, click the first and a gallery will open.

I hopped off at a random stop.  The old Fire House caught my eye.  The building beside the fire house had a strange, art-deco look.  It didn’t exactly fit in with the rest of the architecture.  I loved the iron-work on the bridge.

From the train windows, this abandoned building caught my eye, but I didn’t check it out.

I missed the Camden Yards train stop because I was texting Dale.  I was happy to walk for a bit before getting to the Harbor.  The light fixtures, stained glass windows and mailboxes are always an interest to me.

I was just beginning my walk, making it to the harbor around 1 PM.  It was a hive of activity but not so packed I couldn’t move around and take leisurely photos.

Ripley’s Believe It or Not!  Pretty cool stuff.

RANDOM PHOTOS OF PEOPLE AND THINGS

The U.S.S. Constellation

 “In 1968, the ship was moved to the inner harbor where she served as the centerpiece of the city’s revitalization effort. Lack of maintenance funds, however, led to significant dry rot over the next two decades, resulting in a 36-inch hog in her keel and severely damaged her structural integrity.

In 1994, her rigging was removed and she was closed to the public. A new Constellation Foundation raised the funds needed for a major renovation project and the repaired sloop-of-war returned to her permanent berth in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on 2 July 1999.”  http://www.historicships.org

Constellation 1797

Currently under construction is a monument in memorial to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City.

When Lightship 116 “Chesapeake” was completed in 1930, she was among the most modern and capable ships in use with the US Lighthouse Service.

1930

This building was just beautiful.  Amazingly, it was built to house shit.  Baaaahahahaha!  Go figure.  I rang the buzzer and some employees answered the door.  I asked if I could come in and take pictures.  They asked why and I said I thought it would make for good photographs.  That was good enough for them and they were happy to have a distraction from the shit…I mean their work.

Outside the Sewage Pumping Station

The US Coast Guard Cutter TANEY

“Commissioned on 24 October 1936, TANEY was first home ported in Honolulu, Hawaii, where, until the outbreak of World War II, she interdicted opium smugglers and carried out search and rescue duties from the Hawaiian Islands through the central Pacific Ocean. On 7 December 1986, after more than 50 years of continuous service, TANEY was decommissioned at Portsmouth, Virginia, and donated to the City of Baltimore to serve as a memorial and museum.” http://www.historicships.org/taney.html

Taney 1930’s

More random shots

The USS Torsk

“Commissioned on 16 December 1944, USS TORSK was built at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and was one of only ten Tench Class fleet type submarines to see service in World War II. Decommissioned on 4 March 1968, with an impressive record of over 10,600 career dives, TORSK arrived in Baltimore to serve as a museum and memorial in 1972.”

2013

1944

The Star Spangled Flag House and Museum

I came across The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and it seemed deserted.  I gave myself a personal tour and took pictures without having to fight a tour group.  I copied this information from their website.  Entry is $8 but yesterday for me, it was free.

“Here, you’ll step into living history as you meet Mary Pickersgill, the spirited woman who made the flag. You’ll learn first-hand from Mary, her family and friends what life was like in the 19th century and your kids can take part in activities that let them experience it for themselves. And you can do it all in a half day, with little strain on your entertainment budget.” http://www.flaghouse.org

Saint Anthony Mosaic

Beer on the go

Who wants to clean windows?

Pirates of the Harbor

Cleaner of the Harbor

Guess where I ate.

Bird blends in but lacks the proper uniform.

I came across several abandoned buildings during my endless walk.  Most were secure and I couldn’t get in and they had the windows covered in paper.  One was not secure so I just walked in, but it wasn’t that exciting and there were no steps to the basement.  The second set of photos is of a bar that looks like it had been abandoned but is being renovated.  I’d like to go back when it’s complete!

Phone book at the front door. The side door was hanging open.

Dramatic looking rotting wood with the pristine church steeples in the background.

Several layers of wallpaper

Beautiful bar

This pet will be easy to locate in case of fire.

This church was right behind the dilapidated store front building.  Quite the contrast.

I ended my day hanging out at Patterson Park with my friend, Steve, and his daughters.  They live nearby and Steve was happy to come give me a guided tour of the enormous park.  There was a man-made lake, open for fishing and wildlife.  Trails for people jogging, biking or walking dogs.  The coolest thing at Patterson Park was The Pagoda building.

“The Pagoda, originally known as the Observatory, was designed in 1890 by Charles H. Latrobe, then Superintendent of Parks.  While known as the Pagoda because of its oriental architectural appearance, the design was intended to reflect the bold Victorian style of the day. From the top of the tower one can view downtown, Baltimore’s many neighborhoods, the Patapsco River, the Key Bridge and Fort McHenry.  Over time and due to natural decay, vandalism, and lack of maintenance funds, the Pagoda was closed to the public in 1951 when the first of a series of partial renovations was attempted. At one point demolition was proposed as an option, but thankfully the 1998 Master Plan for Patterson Park called for the complete restoration of the Pagoda.” (http://pattersonpark.com/places-in-the-park/pagoda/)

The Pagoda 2013

“On Hampstead Hill, the ridge where the Pagoda now stands, Baltimoreans rallied on September 12, 1814 to protect the city from the threat of a British invasion. By water, British troops entered the Patapsco River and bombarded Fort McHenry. By land, they amassed forces at North Point. As they marched on to Baltimore and looked up to Hampstead Hill they saw Rodger’s Bastion – including 100 cannons and 20,000 troops. This sight led the British to return to their ships and leave the Port of Baltimore.” (http://pattersonpark.com)

Spiral steps

What could the cage have been for?

View from the canon

Now I wouldn’t have thought of using the fountain in this matter…

My guides

Unlike Philadelphia, PA, Marylanders are not welcome to swim in the fountains.

Small but mighty

As the day became night, I wrapped up taking a few last pictures before Steve dropped me off safely at the Light Rail to head back home.  By the end of this day trip, my feet were in agony and my toes felt like over-filled sausages.  I couldn’t wait to get home and kick off my sneakers!

The edge of the water was disgusting.

The tracks back home

Old water fountain

albino!

A great day in Baltimore, Maryland!  I like to move around town as much as possible.  ~P.