Baltimore Zoo*

Warm weather having arrived in Ballimore, we recently decided to visit our local zoo. As it was opening weekend, some of the exhibits were not yet ready for prime time, but it was an extensive offering nonetheless. Representing the local farms and wetlands are regal Mallards

a miniature Cow

un Pollo loco


and a couple of dinky Donkeys.


More exotic residents include this fine Ostrich,


a thirsty Rhinoceros,


a neat Zebra,


and a wavy-horned Elk thing.


A Giraffe made us laugh.


This Leopard did not mess around.


And a more ladylike Warthog will never be found.


Penguins were having some fun in the sun.


A Chimpanzee bride was grooming her love.


A slender Elephant did a two-step as we looked on from above.


On the whole, the Baltimore Zoo is a great place to spend a sunny day. It's not going to make you forget the San Diego or Atlanta Zoos, but as you can see, the animals were all well cared-for and in good spirits. We're planning to go again to see it in mid-season swing.

The End.


*Rhymetastic post by Benford.

Sprang

This morning, I was thrilled to see that Spring weather had finally arrived in Baltimore. Though it turned out to be a bit on the gale force windy side, that didn't stop your intrepid Baltimorians from getting out and documenting the highly anticipated arrival of the season. You can click on the pictures to enlarge them, though I recommend doing this judiciously. Some details are best avoided.

Our first proof of Spring greeted us from the sidewalk:

A sure sign of twitterpation. Though I must dock these Spring enthusiasts points for littering, I was pleased to see that they did not merely have safe sex - they had safe sex with a Spring-hued condom! Seasonally appropriate prophylactics!

Speaking of things involving semen*, the Bradford Pears are in riotous bloom.

This beauty happens to be in front of a house that we covet, so if you're looking for a last minute gift for Benford's birthday, I can put you in touch with a few realtors.

There are also cherry trees:

And gorgeous Japanese Magnolias:

Spring in Baltimore. It's lovely, hon.


*If you've never smelled a Bradford Pear in bloom, well, let's just say that most of you would probably be able to place the scent.

Springing

Slowly but surely, Spring is coming to Baltimore.

The Tusk Lounge

Last night, we had dinner in the Tusk Lounge, the bar in Baltimore's long-lived Brass Elephant restaurant. The food was awful. Truly disgusting. I can't begin to convey how terrible it was. That said, the cocktails were quite quaffable, the barkeep, Cliff, was most attentive, and the ambiance, aside from the marked absence of patrons, was lovely.

The stairs leading from the main restaurant to the lounge:


Ben and the bar:


Cliff the barkeep:


The room we had all to ourselves:


Handsome fellas and gorgeous leaded glass:


What are these windows called? They look like bottle bottoms...


Moroccan lanterns:


Skylights:


We'd like the Brass Elephant and the Tusk Lounge to stick around, but something must be done about the food. Until then, we can only recommend the building and the cocktails. You could pretend that you're having a drink in your very own three-story mansion. Since you're likely to be the only patron, it shouldn't be that hard.

Brewer's Art

If you're having a day - any kind of day, really - a happy ending can be found at Baltimore's Brewer's Art. Not only do they brew their own Belgian-style beers, they also have food that will make you a happy glutton.

The restaurant was once a fabulous old mansion:



But now it'll serve the goodies to any old riff-raff. And what goodies they are. Like burgers with rosemary garlic fries:


Chipotle and caramelized onion mac and cheese:



And crispy pork belly atop short bread with port-stewed cherries. Oh sweet Jesus.


We're pigs:




But we're happy pigs: