I’m on a Boat

I know on Friday I said I didn’t want to do anything this weekend, just sit around and relax.  Well I managed to do that, on Friday, but when my friend Keith sent me a text message at 9 pm Friday night asking if I wanted to go boating on Saturday I couldn’t turn it down.  A few text messages later, and I confirmed that Adrienne and myself would be at his front door in Baltimore by 1:30 sharp.

Wouldn’t you know, A and I actually managed to make it to Baltimore the following morning a little early, and one pit stop for BLL (Bud Light Lime) later we were boarding the boat.  Oh, and did I mention the boat’s owner and our captain was Australian?  I could have listened to him talk about the rules for tubing all day long.  We headed out from the Baltimore harbor to the cleaner waters of the Chesapeake Bay, where we spent the remainder of the day.

there was lounging

lots of tubing

talk about a great upper body workout

and then finally relaxing

After everyone had their fill of tubing, we made our way to a little more secluded area, anchored the boat, tied up the rafts and got to floating.  Eventually we all started to realized we were starving, so the grill came out and a delicious dinner of corn, hot dogs, and hamburgers was served.  I also did a lot of this, because I can only sit still for so long.  There were back dives also, but none captured on film.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!

We started to make our way back in as the sun was setting, and it made a great end for a great day.  We docked just around 11 pm I think, and Keith, Adrienne, and myself made it back to Keith’s house with just enough energy to shower before we all passed out hard.

The next morning, Adrienne and I packed up and headed back to VA, but full of energy from a good nights sleep we spent the whole trip home brainstorming ideas for the rest of the day.  Eventually we decided on the 1:30 Nationals game, and scored some awesome $10 seats along the first base line.  Sure it was hot, but we had ice cold Miller Lights to cool us down, and we were in the shade for the most part.

It was a fantastic weekend that has left me cursing my 7 am work start time this week, and with an aching upper body, but it was worth it and fun!  I doubt this coming weekend will result in any less activity since my birthday is next Monday and I hope to be celebrating.  I hope you all had a fantastic weekend as well!

Charm City!

So shortly after I posted on Friday, both the roommates bailed on our Baltimore trip.  We’d already told Keith we were coming, and I still wanted to go, so I sucked it up and went by myself.  A quick hour drive later and Saturday morning and I was there ready for some fun.

Keith and I started our day with some lunch in Fells Point, where we kicked off the holiday weekend with multiple lunchtime beers.  A little after lunch time, more of our friends found their way to Charm City, and the group of us headed over to the Bay Cafe, which was a little island paradise in the middle of the city.

That stage was getting set up for the bikini contest later.  Unfortunately we left before it started, I really think I could have won us some prize money.  Or at least fallen off the stage and given everyone some good laughs.

Some pretty ladies enjoying the sun, sand, and palm trees.  Can’t beat that.

The boys that were lucky enough to enjoy our company all day.  We eventually ended up leaving Bay Cafe only to get ourselves ready for another tiki bar on the water, and a live performance.  Apparently this summer is the summer of cover bands for me, and Saturday night, we trekked up to Wild Duck Cafe to see the Amish Outlaws perform.

We arrived just as the sun was starting to set over the water and the plethora of sailboats.  I would like one please.  I wasn’t sure what to initially expect, but then they opened up with Lady Gaga and I was pretty sure it would at least be an entertaining night.

There was lots of dancing around and singing, and also many buckets of beer.  I love buckets of beer, seriously.  We had a great time and actually ended up leaving before their final set was over.  The 30 minute drive back to Baltimore was enough to put everyone to sleep, and I was out cold on Keith’s couch moments after stuffing some food in my face.

Sunday morning I was woken up by KJ texting me from his room upstairs with “Sunday Fundaaaay”. My head initially screamed in protest, but after a shower and some water I was ready for brunch and for Sunday Funday to begin.  Brunch was delicious, as was the Belini I enjoyed during it.  After begging KJ for an iced coffee post brunch, I was ready to start drinking again an hour or so later.  Seriously, I don’t want to even think about how many beers I drank over the weekend.

Sunday Funday continued with a rooftop BBQ in Canton, where I melted, and occasionally retreated inside to the Buffalo Chicken dip and A/C.  After a little while at the BBQ, it was time to move on again, this time back to the bars in Fells Point.  I was getting tired and full of beer at this point, but still managed to school some boys in darts before trying to make the switch to vodka sodas and failing.  Keith was on the same page as I was, and I once again found myself passed out very quickly after walking in the front door.

Thanks for an awesome weekend in Charm City KJ!  Now I only have one word for you, Seacrets.  I made it back to Arlington yesterday around 11, and then only left my house when I needed to get food.  I didn’t go to any BBQs, and I didn’t watch any fireworks, but I am more than ok with that.  I was way too tired to move.  Now it’s back to work, blah, and the countdown until my birthday! I hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend!

Adventures in Baltimore

Happy Monday everyone!  Only 4 more days until my vacation!!!  How was everyone’s weekend?  Mine was full of  traveling, sports, and sweat.  Let’s back up to Friday.

After work, I turned on Yoga Meltdown to get that out of the way so that my Friday could be full of relaxation.  I’m probably going to pick up the DVD at Target this week to bring on vacation with me, I don’t want to have to take a week off from it, and I want to see what Level 2 is like.  For dinner I picked up these new DiGiorno 200 calorie pizzas.

There are two individual pizzas in the box, and each one is 200 calories, but since this was my dinner, I made both.

They were actually really, really good.  Definitely a lot better than the Lean Cuisine pizzas, and more like actual real pizza.  While I can’t imagine that one is anywhere near filling enough, two was a perfect dinner.  I’ll definitely be picking these up again for a quick solo dinner.  After dinner, I poured myself a glass of Malbec and tackled my pile of laundry.  It wasn’t a very exciting Friday night, but it was relaxing and just what I needed.

Saturday I was up bright and early and on the road to Baltimore by 8:30.  The drive was relatively painless, and I made it there just before 11.  Dani, Ricky, Keith, and myself immediately went on a search for food and mimosas, and found them at the Gin Mill.  I mean is there anything else to do on a beautiful, summer, Saturday afternoon with college friends besides drink?  Nope, I didn’t think so.

And when in Maryland…

A fantastic crab cake sandwich and truffle fries.

After lunch, it was time to head over to Camden Yards for a JMU Alumni picnic before the Nationals/Orioles game.  The picnic took place on the upper terrace of the stadium, and included free food and beer until the start of the game.  I think they had some forms of BBQ sandwiches, but I was there for the beer.  It was soooo hot, and the ice-cold beer was going down like water.  I think I had about 5 Miller Lights, before abandoning the scorching heat and finding a spot in the Warehouse Bar to watch the second half of the USA World Cup Game.

Dani and I in the bar sporting our patriotic red and blue.  Sadly the USA couldn’t pull off the win, but they still played great.  After that it was time to venture back out into the sun, to at least catch some of the game.

Soo many different faces.  After the game we went back to Keith’s house to change out of our sweaty clothes.  The rest of the night was a disaster, as you can probably imagine.  We lost someone in the streets of Baltimore, only to find them 3 hours later at home on the couch with no idea how they got there, and just general drunken antics.  We cannot drink like we used to.  That is for sure.  It was a great time though, as always.

Yesterday morning we were all struggling just a bit, and after piecing together some of the night went out for some food.  Then it was time for me to get in my car and head home.  Traffic was a little heavier on the way home, but thanks to my 4 volumes of Glee music I was entertained the whole way.

By the time I got home I was exhausted and ready to relax on the couch, but somehow got suckered into making dinner for everyone.

Grilled chicken, zucchini, squash, and corn on the cob.  I hate to admit this, but I’m getting sick of grilled chicken and veggies already.  Time to switch up the grilling combos for a while I think.

What a fun and exhausting weekend.  After time with my college friends I always spend a few days recovering, hopefully today goes by quickly!