blue artichoke

For GC's birthday, I bought tickets for an all-you-can-eat Maryland-crab feast and Potomac River sunset cruise. I tried to keep it a surprise for GC, and gave him clues to lead him astray ("You need to be sure to bring a roll of quarters and wear non-slip shoes" and the like). Clever fellow that he is, he guessed a river cruise (after guessing Wii bowling night at Eat Bar and go-carts). Though the surprise was ruined, the night wasn't. The crabs were sweet and crabby, and there were plenty of sides for those of us who aren't wild about crabs: hush puppies, French fries, coleslaw, corn on the cob and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. And a bar. The cruise itself was wonderful, when we remembered to stop smashing crabs with our mallets and look up to see the monuments and parks we were drifting past. The return trip was more spectacular, when the sun had set and the monuments were lit up against the background of city lights. It was a beautiful night - clear, cool, and starry - and a touristy trip I can recommend without reservation. And, I can add the experience to my 31 New Things list. I had eaten crab before, after crabbing with my cousins in South Carolina, but I don't think that really counts because the crab-to-ketchup ratio rendered the crab almost nonexistent. And the cruise was definitely new. I love being on the water, and am trying to find ways to work more time spent on boats into my life. That, and fireworks.

Getting to Know All About You: What's the best way you've celebrated a birthday?