First night in Baltimore

[hildy89]

My Union Station BDaltons moved their manga/graphic novel section over to an odd corner. While the manga have some much needed space and breathing room, the graphic novels are on an awkward lower group of shelves, making browsing less enjoyable. Do bookdealers just not have knees or backs? Their GN selection was a lot worse than I remember. And what is it with Emma not being carried by either B&N or BDaltons? I need my Victorian manga fix!

They've added a snack cart service to the Acela business class with various drinks and chips. Unfortunately my trip is a little too short to appreciate it. One weird fact: the train is too long for the BWI platform, so anyone in the last two cars is advised to move up, so they can actually disembark the train.

After arriving in Baltimore, I went off to my semi-favorite Radisson. I like it for its art deco panache more than anything. I adore its free wireless. I love that this is the one town I don't have to spell my last name. I don't love their restaurant service or that their a/c can't seem to handle the summer heat. Tomorrow is going to be a scorcher. So much for that cool weather we had earlier in the week. I get one of those fancy Sleep Number beds, which I've never used. I'm curious how that'll work out.

Since I arrived in the afternoon, I wandered down towards Inner Harbor towards my favorite B&N. Someone seriously is spending some time with the non-Marvel/DC graphic novels in that store. I saw a lot of titles I'd read about but never seen in a store, like the Humanoids titles and its ilk. Well organized, too, which is a nice change. Alas no Blue Beetle (sorry marag, I'm trying), but they did have "White Out" and the first "Young Avengers" trade. I did overhear an amusing discussion from two bookdealers at the Gallery Waldens. The girl must have been the one who stocked the GN section, because it was driving her crazy how unorganized it was and wanted to put it DC/Marvel/Other. I wanted to applaud her spontaneously or at least thank her for other would-be customers, but didn't know that would go over.

Dinner was at my weird Chinese restaurant in a former bank building.

I'm plotting my course for tomorrow. I'm really tempted by the new Geppi's Entertainment Museum. I'm going to bug the conciergey types about walking/public transportation options to see if it's doable. Then I want to go back over to the Mystery Loves Company at Fells Point.

I never did post my Baltimore report from last year. Should I post it? Backdate it with link so it's less confusing? Not bother? I still have to see if there are any useful pictures, other than the Recreation Pier photos. Homicide fans would know it better as police headquarters. And I want a real Baltimore icon. I keep going back. I should have an icon, right?

There are other parts of Baltimore I've never explored, like Federal Hill or Hampden. With the popularity of "Hairspray", I'm not sure this would be a good year to visit the latter. I've never found a way to the Stitching Post. Or have dinner in Little Italy. This is why I keep coming back honestly. Because I keep finding things to see.

And the Trust Building (aka my art deco bank building) is still there. All's good.

Comments

[jordannamorgan]

Hurrah for annual vacations in historical towns. :) I really should explore even more of St. Augustine than I have, but at the same time, there are all the traditional things and places I want to see every year. There's never really time to do both in two days.