Well, Fitbloggin is over, and it’s back to real life. Like any good time, the weekend ended with a bang.
After the closing reception Saturday, I headed back to my room for a little rest and relaxation. I was completely worn out from sitting all day.
Stacey and I hung out and had some downtime, checking out the views and whatnot.
I had plans for dinner with Maya from American Gourmande and Anna of Blue Plate Special, but unfortunately at the last minute Anna had to cancel because she needed to get back to DC. Maya brought her friend that was in town though, so we had a party of three for dinner anyway!
Unfortunately I was getting rather sick of lugging my SLR around town, so I have no pictures of this event. Just know that we ate Lebanese food and it was awesome.
After dinner I met some of the other girls out and we, as Caitlin put it, ‘tore up the Inner Harbor’.
***
Sunday morning, Stacey got up for yoga, but I was feeling lazy from my early wake up the day before, so Katy and I hung out until around 8, and got ready for breakfast.
Starbucks was just a quick walk around the corner, so I had a breakfast of coffee:
+ coffee cake
=
The perfect equation, in my mind.
We headed back to the hotel to pack up so that we could have a few hours to explore and play, because the day was FABULOUS.
By the time we were packed + checked out, it was nearly lunch time, so Savvy Julie, Kacy, Stacey and I headed to Pizzazz, a little tuscan grille that we saw on the harbor.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that they had a vegan menu alongside their regular menu!
We quickly made up our minds on the hummus appetizer for a starter.
One can never have too much hummus, I believe is the saying. [Or did I just make that up? One can never tell.]
I, along with Kacy and Julie, thought that the black bean burger sounded stupendous, and it did not disappoint.
And it had MORE hummus. The hummus at this place was nearly unbeatable.
We were offered vegan desserts, which we jumped upon. I mean, who does not jump upon the offer of vegan chocolate cakes?
Peanut butter + mint chocolate, respectively.
Splendid.
As was the view.
Okay, a large yacht was blocking our view, but just being on the water was fantastic.
After lunch we did some exploring for a few hours, just drinking in the gorgeous weather.
Interestingly enough, this ship is the last surviving vessel from Pearl Harbor.
Stacey spotted a HUGE Barnes and Noble, so we could not resist.
After leaving the bookstore, we walked along the harbor the the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse, which was moved to solid ground and is now a historic landmark.
It was really cute inside and filled with lots of cool things.
We discovered that the first woman lighthouse keeper actually worked in this lighthouse, as well as pictures of the original location and the moving process.
I found this hugely fascinating, nerd that I am.
The view from the windows and deck was so awesome, because you could see all around the harbor and surrounding city.
Unfortunately, after our exploration of the lighthouse, it was time to head back to the hotel and gather our bags to catch the next cab heading to BWI airport.
Goodbye, lovely amphitheater that I want to attend a concert at one day!
Our flight was thankfully on time, but the lines at BWI were cuh-rahzy, so we did not have a lot of downtime, even though we got to the airport like an hour and a half before our flight.
Despite a little turbulence, a plane packed to THE GILLS, and sitting on the tarmac for half an hour, we made it back to Charlotte safe and sound, where I said my goodbyes to Stacey and my hellos to my dear fam.
Meredith + Linden picked me up and took me back to Mama D and Pops, where we had a bit belated birthday celebration for Meredith’s 22nd birthday.
Cake on fiyah!!!
Cake on a plate!
Chips on a plate!
I was STARVED, because I suddenly realized that I had not eaten since my lunch in Baltimore, so I piled my plate high. I was also TIRED, so after an hour or so of family time, I headed back home to where I belong, unpacked, showered off the travel dust, and hit the sack before I could blog.
And it’s Monday all over again.
****
Edited to add: I still have people wanting my notes from the conference [and I took a lot] so I have consolidated them to one Google Doc folder, which can be found here.
You guys did so many cool things yesterday! I’m sad I missed out on those vegan desserts!
Happy Birthday to Meredith! It was sooooo nice to finally cement our blendship with a meetup. You are 100 times more fab than I even expected.
omg, it’s so fun to read all these recaps of Fitbloggin! I live in Baltimore and frequent the Inner Harbor on my runs through the gorgeous running path right along the water. It looks like you all had a great time!! I’m glad you enjoyed Baltimore 🙂
It was SO GREAT to meet you! Next time I’m in Charlotte I’m going to find you!!!! 🙂
Oh, thanks for sharing your notes! I’m looking forward to reading them. Sorry I missed you this weekend, girl!
Wow, does look like you ladies had a lot of fun.
awe. lovely, lovely recaps i have been seeing! just wish i had been there!
Looks like such a blast!!
Thanks for the awesome conference notes girl! So jealous that you got to hang out with my fellow Oklahoman homie Kacy!! Vegan chocolate cake=super yum!! xoxo
Just stumbled upon your blog from Lisa Paige’s, LOVE IT! So great!! Those vegan cakes are making my mouth water!! You may have mentioned this earlier but I just had to ask, what kind of camera do you use? Thanks!
Thanks for reading! The vegan cakes WERE amazing. I shoot with a Nikon D40. Love it. It’s a good ‘starter’ SLR.
I’m so glad you had fun in Baltimore. It’s a great city and I love living so close to it. It was really nice to meet you briefly at breakfast on Saturday morning!
That mint chocolate chip cake looks amazing!
sooo fun!! vegan desserts-gota love them. they dont have any calories bc they are vegan!! baha
I couldn’t decide between a few of the sessions! Thanks for the google doc. I am so checking that out.
I love the Baltimore harbor — especially the Barnes & Noble! Ahh native east coast, I miss you…but I still love my Montana more. 🙂 I also love your photo of the birthday girl with her flaming cakes — the whole scene is just beautiful.
So glad we could meet up! I can’t wait to peruse your notes, it’s the next best thing to having attended the conference myself. I’ll have to check out Pizzazz!
Those are some fantastic looking cake slices- I can’t believe their vegan!!
What a great weekend…I wish I had been able to go! 😦
Lunch and wandering was so much fun, and so delicious!
I seriously think we need to send books to each other when we finish reading them… i know my budget would appreciate it! 🙂
It was a great day! The weather was sooo nice 😀 I had fun and I DIE everytime I even think of that Barnes and Noble lol. I lurve it. All of it!
Looks like you had fun with the fam too, yay for a party!
Great post. I found it interesting to learn about the city too. Guess I’m a nerd too? 🙂