Following the long stint in the dirty Jerz, I made an unexpected weekend trip to Baltimore to visit the greatest host ever, Laura, and her most awesomest group of friends. I only had roughly 36 hours so I had to make the most of my time.
I left New Jersey around 4 PM on Friday and was in Baltimore three short hours later. After a very brief stop at La's friendly abode, we were well on our way to one of Baltimore's most notable wine bars, Grand Cru, located in Belvedere Square Marketplace. I immediately noticed a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that was unlike the hustle and bussle I was previously not enjoying, and the scene was much like a typical Friday summer afternoon in Denver. This would be the first of several stops that night.
We indulged in some fine wine that was priced very reasonably. A 2004 Barbaresco for $15 - are you kidding me? Along with that, we shared a healthy assortment of olives, some artisan bread, and two kinds of cheese:
We were also joined by Hazel seen here on the right beside La:
The look of happiness:
And the Sherwood that La picked out was also very good for the $18 price. Outside of Grand Cru was live music which had a samba theme. Unfortunately, we arrived late and without much space to begin with, there wasn't much room for us.
Soon enough, we were on our way downtown. And with warm weather outside, a sunroof picture was very appropriate:
"Hey ladies!!" (actual photo taken en route)
Next location of intoxification was Stalking Horse in popular Federal Hill. Normally a bit of a dive, this place is home to $4.50 Red Bull / vodka slushies that are not for the weak:
(Andy, La, Brooke, Hazel)
Me and B:
"This is ... MEDIEVAL TIMES!!"
After two rounds, we went next door to Crazy Lils for blueberry beer (out-fucking-standing) and car bombs (naturally, even more out-fucking-standing).
But first, a moment with Jim Carey:
And now the car bomb sequence:
And then I got camera happy while waiting for the karaoke madness to begin.
Hazel and La:
Hladky making the rounds:
Maher was easily the star of the night. The kid showed an incredibly range of singing ability and was the unanimous king of karaoke ... a title I later found out has been his for just over 15 consecutive months now.
Here he is prepping for the lady wooing that would soon follow:
He starts things off with "Country Roads":
Just look at the tenacity ...
... and the emotion!
Clearly, a man in his element:
Afterwards, less prominent superstars took to the stage:
Now let's play "find the pissed-off girl":
After dropping off Claire and Hazel, La and I went on a crusade for pizza and coffee which set back our arrival at her house to after 4 am. We (mostly me) watched the first half of Goonies before doozing to sleep for a 5 hours in an unfavorable condition.
In the morning just after 9am, me and La refuled at her father's coffee and tea shop which truly impressed me. Now I don't drink tea too often, but his store could silence any tea junkie in three seconds flat. There was easily more different kinds of tea than there are spellings for Hanukkah. After throwing down something hot with caffeine in it along with a bagel, we were ready to tackle a 6-mile hike along with Lia.
As most know, I do dabble in a bit in high altitude hiking and skiing, so understandbly, it was a bit strange to me that there wasn't any set peak to climb towards or any set position to be to have a wonderful view of Baltimore's outskirts. Don't get me wrong, I'm far from complaining, but it was certainly odd to be hiking while not gaining 3,000-plus feet and while not carrying 40 pounds of gear on my back.
Gunpowder South Trail itself was easily marked and appeared to be heavily traveled. Even with the "late" start, we didn't see any crowds until past the halfway point on the return. There was a group of three women on horses that guided us for a short stretch while we tried our best to navigate around some creepy old dude that appeared out of nowhere at various spots along the way.
Here's La with Lia at the beginning:
Some kids enjoying tubing down the creek:
We completed the loop in 2 hours and quickly made our way back to a dark, cold room to nap in preparation for yet another afternoon and evening packed with adventures.
Cook Street Market was the next location for a healthy serving of crabs and Yuengling - both of which have escaped my life some fifteen long lonnnnng months ago.
I've never been so happy in my life. No, I'm lying, but I haven't been so happy in the previous twelve hours. The three $4 crabs I had were thoroughly cleaned out as if my hands were the mouths and paws of 10,000 starving cats, and we were soon joined by the birthday girl Allie and about half of the 20 people we would be celebrating with throughout the night. Next stop was No Way Jose and then over to another place whose name currently escapes me.
La and the rest of Baltimore's beauties:
I proceed to get romantic with ........ of course, myself:
And by romantic, I obviously mean doing a shot of tequila and chasing it with an 8-ounce glass of straight vodka because drinking at sea level sucks:
Behold, one of Baltimore's greatest inventions ... the pretzel topped with cheese and crab meat courtesy of Ryleigh's Oyster on 36 E. Cross Street in Federal Hill:
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