great fun today

22 May, 2016

I was 5 minutes from home today, on Pier 13 down on the industrial waterfront. It's Maritime day, when what is normally off-limits, is open to the public.  Tug boats, fire boats, coast guard, merchant marine, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, SAIL Baltimore, etc, and a ship and personnel from the Maritime school in San Francisco who happened to be in the area on a 2 month assignment.

If I knew how to add photos to an email.... I'd  share some of what I saw, but I don't...

So it's a chance for me to learn some more about these areas that are as far as you will get from the tourist
areas at the inner harbor. Hooray !!  

I went aboard the nuclear ship for a tour.  It was fascinating.  I collected some goodies, freebies from Domino Sugars, and others etc, and data from half a dozen maritime agencies.  It gives me stuff to talk about (that other guides do not have) when I lead tours or give talks. I saw the coal piers, it's an area heavily guarded by homeland security.
I had many times taken people up to their gates, but until today, not gone behind. We were taken in a small SUV, just 6 people, with personnel from the company.  I have a business card and now have a contact, and will be able to take other people inside.  I love this stuff. 
Whenever I am on a tour, the other people on the tour thank me afterwards, because I ask the best questions, which draws out more data than the guides normally talk about.  I know how to phrase questions.  I should have been a reporter.
Zippy

PS I think it would be fascinating to go on a cruise on a tug boat, or a merchant vessel. The big cruise ships are boring boring boring!

PPS.  If you saw the film, "Ladder 49," one site used in that movie is the old grain elevator.  That's where I was

Winner: Best Tours of BALTIMORE by Baltimore Magazine - 1989

Winner: Best Tour Guide in BALTIMORE by CITY PAPER - 2005

zippytours@gmail.com

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