Category Archives: Traveler

Ahoy Matey! Shiver me Timbers!

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My husband is a big pirate fan. You wouldn’t know it by looking at him.

So of course on our recent Baltimore trip, a friend and I decided to surprise Mr. Sweet with a “Bring Your Own Grog” cruise in Fells Point. Since 2008, Urban Pirates has been launching daytime family cruises and nighttime adult cruises on their 52-foot custom built pirate ship, “Fearless.”

We opted for the nighttime version, where you can board the ship with any alcoholic beverage of your pleasing. Once on the ship, you are fitting with a costume and serenaded with entertaining pirate soundtracks. The whole experience was a blast as we sang along with our fellow pirates, drank our grog and laughed till our stomachs hurt.

The entire cruise takes about an hour, as the ship leaves from Ann Street pier, sails along Tide Point, Locust Point, Federal Hill, and the Inner Harbor. Though, you won’t venture out onto the open seas, you can dress, talk, and play games like a pirate as you safely cruise around the harbor.

Be prepared to man the water cannons and blast away any enemy pirates!

Urban Pirates runs four nightly trips every Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $25 and many of the cruises book up early (we booked about two weeks in advance since it was their first trip of the season). The cruise is a really unique way to see Baltimore, from the waters view and I suggest it for kids and adults alike!

Urban Pirates
912 South Ann Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 327-8378

Blue Moon Café

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Mr. Sweet & I have a friend. He is a lover of food. We have gone on dozens of trips with him and his girlfriend and never have been disappointed. He plans trips like no one I have ever met. We know when we are going away with him that we will come back with hilarious stories, full bellies and lots of memories.

He has yet to steer us wrong.

So when he suggested stopping by the Blue Moon Café in Fells Point, MD we were all for it – even with the hour wait.

The atmosphere is upbeat and welcoming with its eclectic décor of fireplace mantles, artsy knick-knacks and collectibles, Day of the Dead skeletons, and the hodgepodge of tables and chairs.

The menu offers classic dishes or house specialties all in generous portions. We each ordered something different so we could all have a taste of something unique. The huevos rancheros with chorizo, eggs, fresh salsa, cheddar and crisp corn tortillas were delicious, but the winner was definitely the Captain Crunch French Toast. Oh and the homemade biscuits and jams – Yumm! Cinnamon rolls the size of your head!

I am so happy we don’t live closer because I would want to eat here again and again.

Blue Moon Café
1621 Aliceanna Street
Balitmore, MD 21231
(410)522-3940

A visit to the Bronx Zoo.

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This weekend Mr. Sweet & I decided to pop in the car with two friends and take the short drive over to the Bronx Zoo.  It was one of those perfect Saturday’s where there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the temperature was in the 70’s with a cool breeze and you didn’t want to spend your time indoors.

With 265 acres of wildlife habitats and attractions, the Bronx Zoo’s size and impressive exhibits make it impossible to see everything in a single visit.  If you ever decide to go, don’t forget to wear sneakers.  You will be doing a LOT of walking.  You also have to go in with a plan, which of course we did.  We hit all of the major sites we wanted to see: Butterfly Garden, World of Reptiles and African Plains.  We then leisurely walked back to the gate we came from popping in and out of exhibits.

Ever since I was a kid I always loved visiting the zoo.  It isn’t simply an excursion to see animals from the wild, but also a way to learn about them and a way to feel inspired to help protect them.

If you are ever in the NYC area I suggest you take a trip to the zoo.  It is fun for all!

Note: Be aware that there are several exhibits and attractions that are not included in the regular cost of admission, including The Children’s Zoo, The Bug Carousel, the Butterfly Garden, camel rides, the zoo shuttle and the Congo Gorilla Forest.  We bought a VIP pass ($29.95) which let us into all attractions.

Plane, train or automobile.

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I have been badly bit by the travel bug. I’m just dying to hop on a plane, train or automobile. I want to explore a new city, try a new dish and experience a new atmosphere. Ultimately I would love a trip to Europe, but that’s going to have to wait until next year so we have enough time to save and plan.

Mr. Sweet & I did book a tropical vacation for August and a couple of smaller weekend trips every couple of months. But I want to get away NOW. I really crave peace and quiet, something totally different from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. I want warm tea by a fireplace, laughter and finding adventure in the unlikeliest of places.

Unfortunately with the pace things are going, I am going to have to wait till our scheduled weekend trips to slow down and just relax.

Step away from the everyday to-do-lists and just relax

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Something clicked a few weeks ago.

I had been working on multiple projects at work. At the end of my work day, I’d find myself coming home to cooking/cleaning/laundry/more work; it seemed nothing was getting completed and more things were being thrown on my plate. I was pulling myself in twenty different directions, on multi-tasking overload. I thrive on working hard and playing hard. But there comes a time when you just need to stop. Be it a couple of hours, a day or a week. You need to gather yourself up and step away from the everyday to-do-lists and just relax.

So we booked a spontaneous cruise to Bermuda.

Don’t get me wrong. We don’t have money to throw around on trips, but both Mr. Sweet and I knew we needed to get away. I was overloaded and he is starting a new job in just a week’s time. We agreed to take this opportunity to go on a vacation. So three weeks before the boat sailed, we booked our trip. The day before we were to sail, we packed.

The trip was pure bliss. Days of endless ocean, pinks sands, teal waters, mid-day naps, tropical drinks, laughter and falling in love with the island.

We are now refreshed.

Counting down the days.

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The last couple of months have been a whirlwind. So many things have been tossed onto our plate. Since Mr. Sweet is starting a new job at the end of July, we decided to book a vacation before he starts. We were able to get a great price on a cruise and leave in a mere few weeks. There are so many things to do before then, but we are counting down the days. Every morning I send Mr. Sweet a text reminding him how many days we have till we ship off.

I am looking forward to kicking my feet up, having a frozen drink and taking in some sun. It is a much needed vacation.