Baltimore and Eastern Long Island

Just back from a long weekend jaunt to Baltimore and Long Island's East End!

I spent Thursday and Friday at the International Economic Development Council's Marketing Training conference at the Baltimore Sheraton City Center... a really informative, helpful event!  I also really enjoy spending time in Baltimore.  This was my second time visiting, the first time was two Christmases ago when Roberto and I stopped there for about an hour on the drive up to Pennsylvania.  Needless to say, there was a lot more action around the Inner Harbor this time around than there was on Christmas Eve 2008!  People were walking everywhere, the shops were full, and I really got the full effect of this gritty, historic city.  Baltimore was founded in 1729 and its Inner Harbor was once the second leading entry point for immigrants to the United States (after Ellis Island).  This was once a major manufacturing center, and although its economy is now geared more toward the service industry I could still feel its working class roots as I walked through the crowded streets.  I'm not sure everyone would agree, but it reminded me somewhat of a smaller New York.  Certain neighborhoods in New York.

After the conference, I made the easy flight up to Long Island's MacArthur Airport to spend the weekend with my parents.  Although it was chilly (the high on Saturday was 45-degrees and windy, when I'm used to the 70's in NC at this time of year), it was a perfect weekend to visit, I just missed the pumpkin picker traffic!  However, the winery tours are still in full swing.  I don't think there is ever a time of year anymore that there isn't traffic on Long Island, except maybe mid-winter!

We went for a walk along the dunes through my parents' neighborhood and the next neighborhood over.  I always forget how gorgeous Eastern Long Island is and it takes my breath away when I go back to visit. 

All in all, it was a relaxing weekend!  Lots of time spent reading by the fire with my little Bean curled up nearby (or walking around crying loudly... she is 16 years old and definitely in her twilight years, unfortunately).  Over too soon, but it was great to see my parents and Bean.

Charleston by Horse and Carriage

Although we originally intended to take a high-speed boat ride through Charleston's harbor yesterday, we were so charmed by the dozens of horse-and-carriages traversing the historic downtown area that we decided to do that instead.  Normally I'm not one to fall for the tourist-trap attractions - I have never been on a gondola in Venice, spent New Year's Eve in Times Square, or visited Las Vegas by choice - but this was really fun!  Our tour guide and our draft horse, Benjamin, took us around all of the old churches in town - including the beautiful Catholic cathedral - and through all of the narrow historic streets. 

We just wandered for the rest of the day, shopping at the market, re-tracing our carriage ride around King and Queen Streets, and picking up a caramel-covered rice krispie treat on-a-stick at Kilwin's to save for dessert.  Dinner was at Hank's Seafood Restaurant... I had an incredible bouillabaisse.  I can't believe I didn't have one of these when we were near Marseille in May, that's where bouillabaisse originated!

 It's good to know that Charleston is only about a 5 hour drive away... we'll be back! 

Charleston, SC: Historic and Hip!

Homes along the Battery

 Roberto and I arrived in Charleston, SC last night around 10 p.m. and headed straight to Pearlz Oyster Bar for a late-night snack and a few beers to celebrate our mini-vacation.  At first blush, Charleston is a college town, albeit a historic one, with tons of high-end restaurants and happening little bars peppered around East Bay Street, one of the main thoroughfares.

The albino gator never moved a muscle...

Today we walked across the entire city, and I realized what a truly unique jewel exists just 5 hours south of where we live in Greensboro, NC.  Many of the gorgeous historic homes were built in the mid-1700s and are still kept up to this day, some as bed-and-breakfasts, many as private residences.  As we wove our way on foot through the cobblestone streets and horse-drawn carriages full of tourists, strolling through the Spanish moss-draped live oaks in the park on the Battery and dipping our toes in several of the many fountains we encountered, we slowly fell in love with the rich Southern culture here.  The South Carolina Aquarium was incredible as well... loved the albino alligator!

We finished up our day with a leisurely dinner at Magnolia's... fried chicken livers and two seafood dishes topped off with a scrumptious creme brulee.  My fave!  After walking off our dinner for a couple of blocks we're falling asleep.  Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings here!

Dinner at Magnolia's... yum!