Right now, I am once again on an Amtrak train, sitting in the snack car, writing a column, drinking a beer – and going eighty miles an hour. The only difference is that this time – instead of heading to Maryland – I am on the way back to New York City. But while my trip to Maryland was short – it was sweet – because I had a ball in Baltimore.

After we woke up at the Ramada Towson, we headed over to the Bel Loc Diner, where I was happy to discover that I had a choice between sitting in the smoking or non-smoking sections – to which I obviously chose the former. After having eggs, toast and home fries – along with Scrapple and Chipped Beef Gravy, because I always make it a point to have something I have never eaten before – Julie and I headed back to the hotel to check out and start our day in her hometown.

Traveling is something I never get tired of. Whether it be for a week, two-and-a-half months – or just one day – I look forward to it with just as much excitement. Just being able to be somewhere other than where I am day in and day out is invigorating. So when Julie asked me to come out to Maryland for a day – I leapt at the chance. Rather than do the normal mundane things that I would do on my day off – why not jump a train and head somewhere I have never been before? So I took her up on her offer – and not only had a great time – but I met some great people and got to see just how wonderful Maryland really is.

Our first stop was Hooters – because I love their Curley Fries. After a quick round, we headed into the very clean neighborhood of White Marsh and to the Mall of the same name. The Mall was so beautiful and clean that I knew I was no longer in Brooklyn. The people were friendly and the stores brought me back to our Mall, Kings Plaza, in the good old days. For instance, there was a Suncoast Video, a Spencer Gifts and a Barnes And Noble, which we used to have and I truly miss. Also, the food court was clean and the vendors offered free samples of their food – which I, of course, eagerly took advantage of.

After our trek through the Mall, we headed towards the Red Brick Station, a local brewery and eatery that reminded me of New York’s Heartland Brewery after viewing their menu online. As we headed there, I saw something I never saw before – and Omaha Steak store – and immediately made a bee line right for it dragging Julie behind me. After viewing the incredible line of beef they had and chatting with Mike, who was the very patient and gracious guy who worked there – we headed to Red Brick – and spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying some amazing food and beer.

As I said earlier, every time I go somewhere, I make it a point to eat something I have never had before – but I also make sure I try the local brew. In this case, Red Brick tackled both of those issues with ease. After enjoying their Beer Sampler, which consisted of two seasonal beers and their five main offerings – Avenue Ale, Honeygo Lite, Daily Crisis I.P.A., Something Red and Spooners Stout – I had a combination meal consisting of a true, authentic Maryland Crab Cake and a half rack of Baby Back Ribs. Each of the seven varieties of beer I sampled were absolutely brewed to perfection and lived up to the explanations that came with each one. For example, the Spooners Stout is described as, “smooth as silk going down” – and it definitely was. As for the food, I now know why people in Maryland boast about their crab cakes the way people in Brooklyn do about their pizza. I have had crab before – but never as fresh and abundant in flavor as this. Couple that with the excellent service Julie and I received from our servers Courtney and Lianne – and I can promise you that my visit to Red Brick today will not be my last.

At that point, it was time for me to head back to their Pennsylvania Station and say goodbye to both Julie and my latest vacation spot, Baltimore, Maryland. Although I only spent less than twenty-four hours there – it felt like a lot longer and it was very hard to tear myself away from there. In fact, I told Julie while at Red Brick that I had gotten what I refer to as “Bostonitis,” referring to the time I was in Boston in 2005 for only one day and did not want to leave so badly that I almost wound up staying a second night – but instead drove home very late. Believe me when I tell you that if I could have – I would have done the same thing tonight – but as always –life beckons.

Although I have never been to Baltimore before – I can promise you that I will never not be there again. I absolutely adored my time there today and last night and will make it a point to jump a train and head there again sooner rather than later. There is a poster on the glorious New York City subway system that reads, “Paradise is just a train trip away…”

…and now I know what they mean. Thanks Baltimore – and thank you Julie.