a trip for the record books

A room with a view

American Visionary Art Museum 

The exterior of AVAM

Just your everyday mirrored mosaic school bus. 

Best Orioles bar ever! They have baggos (cornhole)

The following four images

Bill's Terrace Inn; Essex, Maryland

"How'd you find us??" -- Bill, owner of Bill's Terrace Inn

"On the internet" -- Dad

"You mean, I'm on the internet?? I hope they're saying good stuff about me."---Bill

"Everyone says you've got the best crabs." -- Dad

"If ya finally make it here, you're coming on purpose." --Bill

"Well, we didn't come for the decor???" --- (my immediate thought process)

WARNING --- the restaurant is about 10 miles from the Inner Harbor/Fell's Point area, but if you are like us, and take a cab, MAKE SURE you MAKE your cab drive take the highway and interstate!! Otherwise it will take you half an hour, and a steep check. Also, have GPS ready, no one knows where this place is located.

Yes, this did happen to us on the way to the restaurant. Fortunately the owner called us a cab (from a good cab company) and took us back to the hotel in a fraction of the time and for a fraction of the price.

He took the highway.

First when you walk in you see a sports bar complete with a "Cheers" style wrap-around bar, pool tables, etc. You might think you're in the wrong place... you're not. Bill will be sitting in the "back of the bar" nodding at you (because you will obviously stick out like a sore thumb). Behind the bar is a cafeteria type dining area. Pictured above.

The BEST crabs I have ever eaten in my lifetime. WE will be back. The "before" image.

Next time, I suggested that we order 1/2 dozen then, when we're almost done order the other 1/2 dozen so they are hot and don't get cold. 

Say hello to my little friend. 

After. I had one crab left but we gave it to the waitress to have. We were there for over two hours watching the game and enjoying the "ambiance," so by the time we were done, so was the waitress. 

Oh yeah, we did go to Baltimore for a baseball game. Which we won. Beat the Oakland A's 10-1. FYI we are tied for 2nd in the American league and play Tampa Bay this weekend in Baltimore, and yes, they also have a 20-12 record.

This year we walked to the front of the stadium. 

Had lunch Saturday at Thames Oyster House

Our oysters. 2 of each from the 6 checked below. Top of the list is the really big one and then they go clockwise down the list. 

blue crab. In Baltimore.

I kicked his butt in Baggos --- before it started raining

Updated picture of me and Cal

Updated picture of Dad and Brooks

Frank Robinson throwing the first pitch. YES, Frank Robinson.

10-1! Cold and rainy, but fantastic. Merry Christmas, Dad.

Just the final meal (appetizer). That is one cinnamon roll, and no that isn't a bread plate. From Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on Food Network, we went to Blue Moon Cafe. We got the "Sweet Baby Jesus" which consists of a MASSIVE plate of hashbrowns, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, Maryland crab, two eggs any style, AND hollandaise sauce on top. I didn't eat for well over 24 hours after and have never been so full in my life. It was good, but I don't think I'd wait 2 1/2 hours to get a table again. 

Been there. Done that. Add it to the list! 

And that wraps up "Dad's weekend" 2012!