rowanf: (South Park wasted)
rowanf ([personal profile] rowanf) wrote2006-06-17 06:03 pm

Last day in Baltimore

So last night we (me, Andy Laurel and Nicole) stuffed ourselves on fried oysters, fried potatoes and boiled shrimp. Oh my. Then we went and watched the Dr. Who marathon (the new one) on the SciFi channel. I only managed to sit through the first one. I really liked it but the chair and darkness and heat made it hard. I retired to my cat-free room with its ceiling fan and went right to sleep. I haven't been sleeping all that well and it was nice to fall over.

This morning we got up (me and Laurel & Andy) and went off to the Blue Moon Cafe and breakfast. It was very nicely set up in a row house with brick walls on three sides and pressed tin in pale blue on the side next to us. I had cream chipped beef for the nostalgia of it but really should have had a benedict of some sort which Laurel had recommended. But one can't *get* cream chipped beef on the West Coast. The solution will be to make some. *sigh* Oh well. I have been eating all kinds of East Coast food, it doesn't all have to be good.

Then we went home and I took a nap. Naps are good. Somehow Andy got roped into going to work and Laurel and I went off to Baltimore Pride. It was small, of course, even compared to San Jose, but there was a nice mix of folks and everyone was feeling festive. We cheered the parade and then headed back home to collect Andy and go down to the festival at the end of the Parade. Evidently there is a much bigger fest tomorrow, but this was a few booths with trinkets and GLBT organizations and lots of food vendors. We made reservations at Mt. Vernon Stable and hearing there was an hour+ wait we headed up to the festival. I drank a caprinha and checked out the booths. Three Olives Vodka was giving away blinking read martini glass LED pendants. Pomba was thrilled... so I went back for a few more after dinner.

At dinner Andy and I split some "gorgeous garlic shrimp" and then head had baby back ribs. Laurel had a NY strip and fried ravioli. Laurel had ordered us martinis. It all was to yum. Our waiter was a cute gay boy and the restaurant was full of Pride cammaraderie. We even had yummy deserts. Then we went back to the festival just to grab more red martini pendants for Pomba and then headed home. Andy is installing air conditioners and Laurel is petting Skan who somehow managed to get himself out on the roof this evening (rescued before we left to dinner). Silly kitty. I am having to dope myself to the gills with antihistamines which makes me sad. I keep having this fantasy that I'll be able to have cats again and still breathe. Guess not yet, anyway.

I need to pack and generally get myself together for the morning. But truthfully I had a bit too much to drink and concentrating is beyond me for at least a little while. I have had a really wonderful time visiting with Laurel and Andy. It is so nice to have really good friends, even in distant places.

Tomorrow I will be travelling all day but then will be home to my wonderful family. I can hardly wait.

[identity profile] rubibees.livejournal.com 2006-06-18 03:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Being such an east coast grl, I find it really interesting that there are foods you "cant get" on the West Coast...why for goodness sake do they not make creamed chipped beef on the west coast?

[identity profile] rowanf.livejournal.com 2006-06-19 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
I don't know. I hadn't actually recognized the lack until I saw it on the menu and realized I hadn't had any in a couple of decades. Just like grits are unusual outside of the south (except at Denny's which I eat at occasionally just to be able to get grits). And its hard to get french fried artichoke hearts outside of Monterey County anymore. (Big sigh, there used to be a place in San Jose 25 years ago.) Or Marmite. Or red beans and rice or any other regional cuisine. Some things get exported and some things a treasured only by the folks from the region.

Drive-by commenting

[identity profile] bodhibird.livejournal.com 2006-06-21 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I just noticed your comment on my friend [livejournal.com profile] dancingwriter's journal and stopped by, only to discover you were in my part of the world over the weekend. :) I live in Baltimore, and the Mt. Vernon Stable is my home away from home; in fact, I had brunch there on Sunday with my husband and friends. I hope you enjoyed visiting my hometown.

Re: Drive-by commenting

[identity profile] rowanf.livejournal.com 2006-06-21 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Hi! Thanks for dropping by. Yeah, I had a great time visiting Baltimore. It is good to be home to cooler, drier weather though I admit. *grin* Happy Solstice!