Town Talk
Heading out on the N.C.R. (Northern Central Railroad ) trail for a bike ride—for a 14-plus-mile round trip ride to get organic homemade ice cream, midway—has to be one of the best things to do in Baltimore… in fact, in Maryland. I’d even go so far as to rank it as one of the seven wonders of America.
The trail—an old railroad trail that’s now covered by dirt—once transported precious cargo (including Abraham Lincoln) from Baltimore to NY (read more about The N.C.R. Trail in depth). Now it’s a tree-lined dirt road that’s as flat and as easy on the thighs, as it is gorgeous and peaceful for the eyes.
Case in point—I hadn’t been on a bike in over two years, yet was able to do the entire trip without needing to catch a second wind once. With mile posts along the way, shady spots with benches on which to sit, bridges overlooking Gunpowder Falls’ rippling waters, a nature center, horse farms, etc., and only two non-major roads to cross, there’s nothing to stop even the laziest couch potato from getting out and taking in some exercise here (for those who don’t have bikes, there are bike rentals along the way).
And that midway treat? A biker can park a car at many of the parking spots along the way—the bike paths are snug up against the lots—but the best place to start is the Paper Mill Road parking lot. There are plenty of spaces, and parking here allows a rider to get in that full 14-plus-mile trip—and with that many miles under the belt, anyone has earned the right to stop off at the Monkton General Store for an extra scoop of organic ice cream or one of the 20 flavored snoballs.
Also read Sarah Achenbach’s in depth article about The N.C.R. Trail, and find out where to park, to rent bikes, to rent kayaks, etc..
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/28/09 at 01:29 PM
The ultimate in coolness has come to Baltimore—and we mean cool, as in a great place to go and freezing goodness to eat. Mr. Yogato, a yogurt shop with a twist, which has had amazing success in DC (1515 17th Street NW - mryogato.com), has opened a sister shop in Fells Point. Don’t even think about heading to your freezer for a treat until you’ve legged it down Broadway to grab some of their yogurt. The list of toppings alone will give an idea of how fun this yogurt shop is.
As will the look of the place. Walk in and you follow a real yellow brick road, surrounded by tables filled with games (Operation, Connect 4, Pictionary, Candy Land, etc. Plus, an Atari Video Game is on the way!). Over near the huge window are old-fashioned, art-deco soda fountain stools. In the back is a “fake” patio, complete with turf, old tin patio chairs (painted in bright colors) and a tin glider.
Add to that, non-fat yogurts (30 calories a serving!), with fresh, fresh, fresh blueberries, blackberries, melon, etc., whatever-is-in-season-etc., and then wild fun kid toppings, such as Captain Crunch, Fruity Pebbles, Cracker Jacks, Toasted Mini-Eggos, etc., and you wouldn’t be able to help but think to yourself, “Man, this is so smart, it probably took a rocket scientist to come up with this idea.” And you’d be right.
Meet Jessica Jensen. She and her friend, Steve Davis (the brainchild behind Mr. Yogato) are both true blue rocket scientists who work at www.spacex.com developing NASA award winning rockets—when they aren’t busy whipping up fun yogurt ideas. (Note: Jessica Jensen is proof that life isn’t always fair where DNA is divvied out—she’s that smart, that fun, and gorgeous enough to be in Vogue.)
But back to the fun yogurts. Ever heard of mixing frozen yogurt with Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil? And then eating it? And then not only living to tell the tale, but living to be an evangelist for it? It happened to me. There I stood, with multiple frozen yogurts to try, and umpteen fresh fruit toppings, and yet I braved the Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil combination because it’s just in me to be adventurous. So when you see me wearing a burka at the beach this season instead of a bikini, it’ll be because I’ve down too much of this. I’m addicted. Please try it.
Other people dive just as religiously into the creamy yogurt and the tangy yogurt (always available) and whatever two other flavors are available that day, such as the stawberrio, chocolato, black cherry, cappuccino, choco-hazelnut, mango, peach, etc.
This is a shop with a lot of etceteras!
For instance, other yogurt toppings range from chocolate chips, oreos, peanut butter cups, etc., almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc., gummi bears, junior mints, tim tams, etc, apple sauce, mandarin oranges, kiwi, etc., and even mochi, etc., etc., etc., and always one fresh homemade topping from mryogato-fellspoint.com
Hours of Operation:
Sunday - Thursday: 11:30am - 11pm
Friday - Saturday: 11:30am - 12am
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 05/27/09 at 02:58 PM
