Just arrived in Baltimore! [Rovia Trip #5]

Destiny Yarbro
Sep 8, 2016
2 min read

Standing in front of some historic buildings in Baltimore - red brick, green roofs, canal behind me. "Apple core, Baltimore" (Rovia Trip #5 as ASL travel host). LDS Nomad Destiny Yarbro Travel Blogger. Travel hacks for Mormon globe hoppers.

Remember that awesome old Disney cartoon about Johnny Appleseed? In there the people shout "Apple core, Baltimore!" while doing square dancing - that is the phrase that has been running through my head ALL DAY today!

I'm in Baltimore for a trip with Rovia! Yep, in case you're wondering, I did just got back from Toronto on Monday and yes, I'm here as an ASL travel host. I love my job! :)

Old man in wheelchair in uniform with 42nd insigna on his cap. His wife pushing the wheelchair behind. "Apple core, Baltimore" (Rovia Trip #5 as ASL travel host). LDS Nomad Destiny Yarbro Travel Blogger. Travel hacks for Mormon globe hoppers.

This morning in Phoenix, I had the honor to meet and talk to this 91 year old veteran, Pete, who was on his way to a 42nd division reunion in New York. He told me about liberating the Dachau concentration camp - his battalion breaking down the gates and handing out K-rations to the starving prisoners and then watching them keel over and pass away because their bodies couldn't handle the food. He shared that he had been back to Dachau 5-6 times since then. Talking to him reminded me that my kids will probably never have this opportunity and that breaks my heart. It was an HONOR to speak with him and thank him for his service. I'll treasure these moments when I can.

I flew from Phoenix to Detroit (felt like deja vu since I was just there last week on my way to Toronto) and then arrived in Baltimore around 4pm.

Bay full of docked boats directly on the shore. "Apple core, Baltimore" (Rovia Trip #5 as ASL travel host). LDS Nomad Destiny Yarbro Travel Blogger. Travel hacks for Mormon globe hoppers.

Our hotel is the fanciest hotel I've ever stayed in with this job. Rovia books mighty nice hotels and makes them crazy cheap for their members. I was just amazed to walk into my room and see the absolute luxury. It's a little too fancy for this country girl, but I'll admit I am certainly enjoying the moment! :)

Since I am in Maryland, I knew I needed to eat some LEGIT seafood.

Me standing in front of restaurant: The Oceanaire Seafood Room. "Apple core, Baltimore" (Rovia Trip #5 as ASL travel host). LDS Nomad Destiny Yarbro Travel Blogger. Travel hacks for Mormon globe hoppers.

So I found a restaurant nearby and ate my first oyster from the shell (the waitress showed me how to drink the seawater inside) and I did pretty good for the most part. At the beginning I had this little thought, "Okay, you got it in your mouth - but how do you get it down?" It just kinda bounced around in my mouth for a while and I just knew this waitress was hiding somewhere watching me struggle. :)

Me sitting at a table holding up an oyster in the shell getting ready to slurp it. "Apple core, Baltimore" (Rovia Trip #5 as ASL travel host). LDS Nomad Destiny Yarbro Travel Blogger. Travel hacks for Mormon globe hoppers.

In conclusion, I am pleased that I was able to eat the oyster and even more pleased that I had more delicious food to come! ;)

Large scallops, two lobster tails, three grilled shrimp, and asparagus. "Apple core, Baltimore" (Rovia Trip #5 as ASL travel host). LDS Nomad Destiny Yarbro Travel Blogger. Travel hacks for Mormon globe hoppers.

It's hard to show how HUGE those scallops were - but they were about the size of my palm! The shrimp were huge as well. The food was absolutely amazing!