Oh, Say Can You See....

....(in the blistering, oppressive heat and humidity)  the 15 stared flag flying over Ft. McHenry just outside of Baltimore, Maryland?  So, the day before, we visited the Smithsonian dedicated to American history, and saw the *actual*  "Star Spangled Banner" on display in all its glory (and missing a star and other parts that had been removed as souvenirs).  Anyway, it was SO neat to visit the fort where that flag had actually flown, as Francis Scott Key watched as a major battle of the War of 1812 was fought in the Baltimore Harbor in 1814.  So....THIS is what he saw in the "dawn's early light":

Perhaps my favorite thing about this fort is its shape.  Although it is not possible to get this kind of a view (unless you rent a plane or helicopter), it is sort of apparent from the ground, that Fort McHenry was built in the shape of a star.  

Inside one of the "magazines", or place were the militia would store their ammunition.  It was the ONLY place in this whole fort (besides the air conditioned Visitor's Center) where it was cool enough to actually breathe comfortably.  It was pushing 100 degrees with humidity in the upper 90's....WHY?!??!

The entrance to Fort McHenry.

Locking the kids and husband up in the prison cell where during the Civil War (in 1861),  members of the Maryland Legislature were imprisoned to prevent any passage of an Act of Secession.  Baltimore was an important rail and communications center. Union troops occupied Baltimore to ensure that Maryland remained in federal control.. Following the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, nearly 7,000 Confederate soldiers were imprisoned here.  (Obviously, not all in THIS cell.)

Standing on the famous "ramparts" at Fort McHenry.  I have to admit, that I really didn't understand what a rampart was before I visited the fort.  Now, the song makes so much more sense.

Another view of the rampart around the fort to the left of Julia.

Finding cooler temperatures inside a second magazine.

Outside the walls of Fort McHenry.  If you are in the DC area, this is worth the day trip (or 1/2 day trip) to drive up to see this historic landmark.