As many of our readers (and listeners) might have learned on Drive Thru News #49, I’ve been spending a lot more time downtown as a result of my wife’s injury.
This meant countless hours behind the windshield sitting in beltway traffic reconsidering life choices and wondering if was alone in my appreciation for “proper driving habits” on the highway. But I’ll save you the trouble of having to read all that, as most of that was captured in the following Break/Fix Podcast Pit Stop Mini-sode.
That said, I’m well past the age of spontaneous road rage, and as a racer my situational awareness is trained to be higher than most drivers on the road. This means plenty of time to observe what everyone else is doing in their cars (and on the road) instead of doom scrolling social media with autonomous level 27 engaged.
Sometimes you have to do a double or triple-take. We spotted this car more than once roaming the city streets. I sincerely hope this car got fixed before we posted this article.
As many of you learned from listening to Drive Thru News #49, I also acquired a Varla Wasp EV Scooter to help circumvent the parking issues plauging downtown Baltimore. Please take a moment to bask in its glory.
- The Varla Wasp EV Scooter in all it's 350w ... Did we mention it's slow?
And the rest of the time I was stuck driving our “Shape Ship” (a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica S Hybrid) for the last few months.
#parkinglotgold
Since the Varla Scooter was soooo incredibly slow, it allowed me to really focus and appreciate some #parkinglotgold throughout the city.
Because I was either walking or behind the handle bars, instead of in the car hoping to not get caught at another poorly timed red light, I discovered some hidden gems – which included a surprising bit of car culture – throughout the community, that I thought I might share.
Schneider’s Hardware Store
Schneider’s Hardware is a family owned business established in 1896 and is currently run by the 4th generation of the Schneider family. The shop is located in historic Roland Park on Wyndhurst Avenue and like me, you’d probably just pass it by, if it was not for the 6′ tall mannequin that is moved outside each day with different costumes celebrating special days of the month, season, or whatever suits the shop’s fancy. If this store isn’t already in the “Weird Maryland” book, it probably should be. I can only imagine the backstory has something to do with one of the owners of the shop.
- Mr. Schneider all dressed up for the fall!
If you continued to walk past Schneider’s you’re missing out, stepping inside is like going back in time, but what I didn’t expect was a small collection of vintage vehicle models, toys and other memorabilia decorating the store.
The occasional midday stroll…
Venturing out into the city for a mid-afternoon source of caffeine, I decided to explore some short cuts between old brownstones, and on one such an adventure I cut through the back alley of what looked like an abandoned Church and discovered this neglected STEM racing project. It looks to be some sort of aerodynamic (soap box derby) experiment?
I have so many who/what/where/when/why questions popping into my head, and I'd still like to know the backstory... most importantly: did it win anything?
I might have also gotten a bit distracted on my search for coffee when I stumbled across Baltimore In A Box Ice Cream with its unique offerings provided by local ice cream maker, Cream Cruiser, producing delicious flavors that focus on iconic treats found in The Charm City.
Geo-tagging this spot for future reference, admittedly, I might have stopped in more than once for 2 scoops of deliciousness. After sampling various flavors on the menu, I can’t recommend Mr. Trash Wheels Junk Food enough with its: Cookies & Cream + Cookie Dough + Pretzel Sticks & Marshmallows. It’s everything you never thought you actually wanted, but rather a perfect blend of salty and sweet.
Shananigans Toy Shop
Shananigans is tucked away in Wyndhurst Station, a small shopping complex with an assortment of boutique stores. I’ve walked past it hundreds of times, expecting the regular old faire of toys you’d find at any big box store, but with a much higher price tag.
Instead, I found a wonderful assortment of curated toys, models, and other educational diversions spread throughout the shop. Shananigans is a great place to check out if you’re trying to find something less mainstream as a gift for the younger petrol-heads in your life (or an excuse to buy something for yourself).
Deeper Downtown at ComicCon ’24 (Inner Harbor)
During my sojourn to the city, it also happened to align with the 26th Annual Baltimore Comic Con, located at the Baltimore Convention Center at the Inner Harbor.
It’s been several years since I’d attended Comic Con, and during a previous trip I’d sworn I’d never return to the city after being t-boned in my brand new VW Golf TDI trying to navigate the bustling crowds of pedestrians and closed streets due to the construction surrounding the Baltimore Grand Prix. All that trauma aside, we adapt and move on, right…?!? (right eye twitching).
This time my youngest daughter and I enjoyed the show together, and stumbled across some “Movie Cars:” the 1967 Chevrolet Impala from the TV series “Supernatural” and a Ghostbusters ECTO-1 (Cadillac) recreation.
I also picked up a really cool t-shirt from Bun Leung Art, it’s an Initial D caricature (in his art style). As a fan of the series, and a sucker for a black tee, it was $30 well spent. #supportlocalartists.
Baltimore: Never Ceases to Amaze & Amuse!
This one is still a mystery to me. Was it a hit and run? Was it dropped off here? Did they bounce off the tree? – The skid marks imply otherwise.
My family might be quick to label me an “old man” or a “curmudgeon” but I’ve never hidden the fact that I never really liked driving around, or hanging around, cities. It’s not for me.
I’ll take a mountain pass over a trip to the beach any day of the week. The only sounds I want to hear are those coming from a throaty engine hollering up through it’s gears; not the horns and stereos of the folks around me in traffic. I want the the smell of unburnt fuel and hot brakes, instead of catalytic converter, skunk or whatever else is legal these days.
But you have to make the best of what you’re dealt, and every now and again, I guess I have to relent and say “It wasn’t as bad as I thought.” If you’ve discovered some hidden gems in Baltimore, or any other city, be sure to leave us a comment below and help us check out some lesser known spots on our next trip downtown.
