Maryland is one of two states that were founded with a specific purpose in mind. Georgia was founded as a place where those in “debtors’ prisons” (being unable to pay their bills, so were imprisoned until someone came forward with the cash needed to release them) could start a “new life.”

Maryland was founded as a haven for Catholics being persecuted for their religious beliefs by Oliver Cromwell’s “Roundheads,” extremists who had taken control of England’s Parliament, before being thrown out with the restoration of King Charles II in 1660. Unfortunately, thousands of people were caught up in that madness, and run out of town or killed.

My family’s ancestors arrived in Baltimore in the early 1600’s, sailing with Lord Baltimore on his two ships, the Ark and the Dove. Like all others who came to this country in search of a better life, it was a hard row to hoe.

Life was very difficult. Trying to grow or find enough food, and survive the harsh winters and various diseases that cropped up, killed off many of those who came over on the boats. But enough eventually made it. And the colony held.

I have been to Baltimore twice. The first time was many years ago, when I was in college (1970’s) and went with my mom to visit family and a friend. We were only there a day or two, as I recall.

The second time was maybe 20 years ago, when I was there for an annual business conference, held in July. I was only there for about four days, then, and in classes most of the time, so did not really get a chance to look around much. I only saw a little of that famous city, but was glad for the chance to see what I did.

The conference I went to was held at a Marriott on the riverfront, as I recall. I usually stayed at the conference hotels when I went to these annual events. But this time my wife was able to come with me (on our own dime), and she found a B&B not far from the conference hotel that she wanted to stay in; and since it was less expensive than the Marriott, we were able to do so, and I got reimbursed. So that part worked out fine.

It was an old brownstone building, as I recall, in the old historic district, so we were able to see a bit of the Old City while staying there. It was somewhat similar to downtown Savannah, as I recall, so not really that exciting in itself. But there were several restaurants nearby that we got to experience for dinners, so that was nice. And she got to see more of the town while I was in class.

We did get to visit the Edgar Allen Poe house museum and nearby cemetery; and also the Baltimore Aquarium, which as I remember was on the waterfront, near the hotel. That was a very interesting place, especially the trained dolphins who put on quite a show for us! We chose to sit in the back of the seating area, as we were warned the dolphins would splash the viewers with a slap of their tails, at some point. And they did! The audience shrieked with laughter.

The other interesting thing that we did, in the short time we were there, was to take a “Duck Boat” tour of the harbor, including going by Fort McHenry, where our national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” was written by Francis Scott Key, during the bombardment of that fort during our War of 1812. That was moving.

(As mentioned in an earlier column on forts in Georgia and South Carolina, I was surprised to find that Fort McHenry was a good bit smaller than I had imagined.)

The “Duck Boat” was an amphibious vessel. It was built like a boat, with a hull and motor that propelled it through the Baltimore Sound. But it also had wheels underneath its hull, that enabled it to move on land as well. A most unusual vessel!

All in all, it was a very interesting trip. I am only sorry we did not have more time to spend exploring the larger area.

We have been very fortunate to have had as many opportunities to visit a wide variety of places across our country. I am very grateful to have had those exposures.

Rafe Semmes is a proud graduate of (“the original”) Savannah High School and the University of Georgia. He and his wife are both long-time Rotarians, and live in rural eastern Liberty County with their passel of orphaned rescue cats. He writes on a variety of topics, and may be reached at rafe_semmes@ yahoo. com