Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD

In all the times we have been to DC we have only been into the Baltimore area one other time and after hearing about their "cleaning" up and upgrading their waterfront, we wanted to go take a look see.  What we ended up doing was taking a ride out to Fort McHenry where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star Spangled Banner during the war of 1812.  What a great spot on the Patapsco River (which of course runs into the Chesapeake Bay).  The fort is still there and was actually used again during the Civil War.  Ironic that Key's grandson was imprisoned at Fort McHenry during the Civ War due to his southern sympathies only 47 years after his grandfather wrote that song!  The day was lovely and we spent hours walking the grounds and visiting all the quarters and amunition bunkers.  Yes, the flag pole is strange but that is because weren't always able to make such tall flag poles so had to get creative here with two poles... We were under the impression the flag he wrote about was the one used during the battle and the next morning it had holes in it but it was still standing... no, umm wrong.. according to what we learned the other day.  The largest flag ever commissioned was made especially for flying over the fort After the battle.  That flag is now on display at the Smithsonian and we did see it under glass of course.  A worthwhile trip and good history lesson to be learned!