A dive bar, craft coffee and fish!

We made it into Baltimore late Wednesday night after the toughest day of driving yet. There was an accident that shut down the highway so we had to detour - in reality, we’d already detoured so mama could get some chick fil a and just didn’t get back on the highway. Then we hit some pretty nasty, rainy weather. Thankfully we’d already decided to stop in Baltimore for the night rather than making it all the way to Philly.

We made it in later than expected and the lobster roll place we planned to grab dinner at closed at 7… what kind of restaurant closes at 7?? After that, it was a bit touch and go getting two sleepy, hungry, slightly frantic kids out the door at 7:15 with impending rain to walk to dinner in downtown Baltimore.. but we found a place with crab cakes!! Ross’ only Baltimore request and they didn’t disappoint. We found the greatest dive bar with such a classic feel down a back alley. Cold beer for Ross + bottomless watered down orange juice for the the kids = a happy little fam. Plus, we all loved our dinners and had the sweetest server! Couldn’t have turned into a better evening.

The next morning, we had a beautiful walk to coffee followed by the national aquarium for mom and the kids while ross took a work call from the hotel. I was a little shocked to hear I couldn’t bring the stroller but in the end, it was probably for the best since the kids would have both wanted to explore anyway and they were *almost perfect angels until the very end. Why do they make you walk through the gift shop on the way out?!? Just cruel!! We made it out alive and had the best time - sharks, dolphins, fish galore. We’ve been to aquariums all over the world, and I really think this one was one of the best - I’m sure that was helped by the fact that it was not crowded at all.

Now we’re headed into Philly for a night at the Candeto’s!