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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;The Penny Lady®, post: 1404116, member: 16948&quot;]<u>Wednesday </u>:&nbsp; My flight was very early in the morning and when I arrived at the airport, it was nice to see some familiar faces since several PCGS folks were leaving on the same plane as me.&nbsp; Then when I got to my connection in Houston, the plane had another bunch of coin people, some of whom were seated in my row and the immediate surrounding rows.&nbsp; So it was great to be able to chat with other coin dealers during our flight, and then even share a taxi to our hotels.&nbsp; The best thing when I arrived in Baltimore was that the weather was so wonderfully warm - I felt like I was still in SoCal!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Here’s a photo of the city from my room</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120321-01654.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>After settling in, I met up with Rick at M&amp;S Grill.&nbsp; We sat out on the patio that overlooked the harbor and the USS Constellation.&nbsp;&nbsp; It was so great to have dinner and drinks outside in such comfortable weather with beautiful scenery – made me feel like I was at home!</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120321-01656.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120321-01657.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mmmmm, the Guinness tasted so good!</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120321-01655.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rick was checking the Stacks Bowers auction which was going on right then</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120321-01659.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>After dinner, we met up with some other folks at a familiar Shula’s Steakhouse.&nbsp; I always look forward to getting together with and catching up with my dealer friends at these coin shows.&nbsp; But with the all day traveling and time change, it was soon time to call it a night.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><u>Thursday</u>:&nbsp; Set up for the dealers began at 8am, but I try to give Todd a head start setting up his photography equipment before I arrive so we’re not in each other’s way, so I didn’t arrive until around 9am (that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it!).&nbsp; Here are some photos of the convention center and lounge area.</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120323-01708.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01669.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120323-01710.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120323-01707.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01668.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The wonderful Whitman show helpers!</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01667.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01666.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>We were on a waiting list to get a better booth location and finally were able to move a little closer to the center of the bourse so we had new neighbors, including a very pleasant surprise - Matt/BillyGoatsGruff who works for Pinnacle was right behind us!&nbsp; We had a good time throughout the show bantering back and forth and shooting rubber bands (ok, I admit that was only a one-way activity).&nbsp; Unfortunately, I forgot to take his picture!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mark Feld was Todd’s first customer, so of course I had to get the obligatory Feld funny face photo for my report!</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01662.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also, another familiar face (Goldbully) stopped by early to say hi</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01663.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>During setup, the show was already beginning to buzz with all the activity that goes with unpacking and organizing a coin booth.&nbsp; The usual early birds were all over the bourse, and I had several dealers bring me some great coins that I bought for my inventory, including a beautiful magenta-toned proof 1866 2 cent piece.&nbsp; I can’t wait to see how Todd’s image of this beauty comes out.&nbsp; Here’s a group of some of my pretty newps.</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120323-01701.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The public was let in around noon, and there was quite a crowd who steadily began streaming in and soon filled up the bourse.</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01665.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>MsMorrisine stopped by and brought me a very nice bottle of Napa cab, for which I was very grateful since I would have had to hunt some down at a local store since I don’t usually bring wine with me when I have to fly to a show.&nbsp; He also brought a huge pile of blue PCGS boxes that we gave out.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>After the show on Thursday, I met up with a bunch of folks at my favorite chain restaurant PF Changs for drinks and appetizers.&nbsp; (I especially love their dumplings!) </p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120323-01723.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I was in the mood for something sweet, so I asked the bartender to make me what I call a “foo foo drink.”&nbsp; She created this wonderful blue rum-filled concoction called a “Poolside.”&nbsp; That’s the kind of drink that could be dangerous as it goes down so smooth and then kicks you in the butt before you know it!</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120323-01719.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>We then headed over to Da Mimmo’s Italian restaurant for dinner where we met up with even more folks. </p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01674.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01675.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rick Snow, me, Brian Wagner, Ricks FBI friend Neil, and his other friend Steve</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01672.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Me and Rick’s friend, Neil</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01678.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Now let me just say that this place is a little pricey but I’d count it as one of my top 5 restaurants of all time, and probably in my top 2 Italian restaurants of all time.&nbsp; Every dish was extremely tasty, the staff was over-the-top helpful, and the wine was superb! </p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01685.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01686.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I loved their fancy personalized plates!</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01677.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This oyster appetizer actually had a live little fish floating around in the glass below the oysters!</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01683.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>You can never go wrong with Silver Patron</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01684.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I had the most yummy lobster dish I’ve ever eaten- it was served in a burgundy wine/garlic cream sauce. </p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01690.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And their lamb was so huge (25 oz. I think) that even split in half each piece was more than sufficient. </p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01691.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Oh, and did I mention their garlic bread?&nbsp; It was the BEST garlic bread on the planet – just ask anyone who’s tasted it!!!</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01687.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The atmosphere was also very nice since the room we were in only had about 10 tables – there were even a couple other groups of coin dealers having dinner. </p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01682.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>And the walls were covered with photographs of famous people who had eaten there over the years. </p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01673.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/IMG-20120322-01671.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So if you ever want to know how to find a good place to eat after a coin show, just ask a coin dealer!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>After dinner we all went to our now familiar dueling piano bar – Howl at the Moon in the Power Plant district. </p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01692.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01693.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01694.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Once again, we had a ton of fun – that place is such a hoot!&nbsp; The same guys who played when we were there last November were there again.&nbsp; They have a lot of personality and really know how to engage the audience. </p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01695.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The “top that dollar” message board with my typical message</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01700.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Souvenir tee-shirt</p><p><img src="http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/qq139/thepennylady/Baltimore-20120322-01696.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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