Road Trip – Days 17 -19
We really enjoyed our year in Baltimore, 2016-2017. We loved the neighborhood, the climate, and met some amazing people. It was really important to the kids, and me, that we go visit this summer. It has been a year since we were there, but it seems like just a month or two. We had marvelous hosts. It was a whirlwind weekend, with hugs, lots of rain, and green immersion. Baltimore is the greenest place I’ve ever lived. Driving down the road, or walking down a side walk, ‘the Green’ – the bushes, weeds, trees – reach out and touch you constantly. The Green really wants to take over.
Ms. Rice and Katahdin.
Our first stop was to the kids old school, Roland Park Elementary to see Katahdin’s 2nd grade teacher, Ms. Rice. She is a gem of a human being, doing the work of angels. Katahdin adores her and has kept in touch this year through letters and email. They had arranged for him to meet her after school, and by golly – we made it. Despite leaving an hour later than planned and taking 2 detours to avoid traffic jams. They had a sweet visit, she teaches 4th grade now. He was touched to see the Dr. Seuss themed god’s eye he made her proudly displayed by her desk.
One thing we loved here, and missed this year, was a walkable neighborhood. Roland Park is walkable – grocery, library, dentist, pharmacy, book store, school, post office, toy and gift shop, hardware, pool, nature trail, fishing stream – its all there within 20-25 min walk through the Green.
Skye’s first cake pop. “Cakeloly”
This is Skye eating her first cake-pop from the Starbucks next to the school/grocery store. She approved.
Berkeley met her friend Bronagh after school and went home with her for a magical playdate/sleepover. They have also stayed in touch with letters and FaceTime this year. They had an awesome time and Berkeley lost a tooth. The Tooth Fairy at Bronagh’s house is very generous and gave her $5!
Berkeley and Bronagh
Our hosts, the Herzenbergs, were so gracious and lovely to stay with. We wish dearly that Phil could have been there. Merrill and John doted on the kids thoroughly and made us feel right at home. Merrill loves Zumba just like I do! John watched the girls so I could go to Zumba with her. Zumba in Baltimore is awesome. I feel invincible after an hour of dancing. I need to do more Zumba.
We saw so many creatures at their house – Ziggy the gentle doggy, two cats, a deer and its fawn, bunnies, slugs, lightning bugs and a fox. The fox picture is blurry with flash back from the window, but I included it because – we saw a fox! They had really nifty wooden Lego bricks that K and B really liked making things with. Katahdin was thrilled when they said he could keep them. Had didn’t bring any Legos on this road trip. Problem solved.
Skye in her beach chair with Merrill and Ziggy.
Zumba Baltimore!
Berkeley with Merrill and her butterfly sculpture from Haiti.
Hidden windows in his tower.
Katahdin had two great playdates with friends Ethan and Declan that he has kept in touch with this past year. Good friends are hard to find. We are so lucky they were able to hang out and have some silly kid memories together.
We were able to crash a cookout in our old neighborhood and see lots of friends. Here is Monica and me at the cookout.
Here are a few pictures of the Green. I love it.
Fish in pond in Homeland neighborhood.
Keswick Street sidewalk with the Green taking over.
Central ponds in Homeland neighborhood – our old evening walk.
Lastly, we woke up early Monday and made it to school drop off to say hi again to some friends. Even though it was raining, and Skye got car sick, it was worth it. Goodbye Baltimore, can’t wait to come back! Seriously, when can we come back??
Raining Monday morning school drop off.
5 comments for “Back in Baltimore”