The restaurant/bar was opened by a musician-couple in 1972, when the neighborhood was very different—decrepit and filled with starving artists.

The interior is a funky mix of vintage treasures and repurposed junk, like this beer bottle “chandelier.”

Bertha’s cult following only increased when they, some years later, introduced an iconic green bumper sticker (which has been spotted on all continents) that says “Eat Bertha’s Mussels.”

I simply had to oblige.

I spent the latter part of this week in Baltimore, new territory for me. One cold and overcast afternoon I went to explore the Fells Point neighborhood.

Like much I saw of the city there were piers, boats and great old hand painted signage on brick buildings.

Amazingly rich visual texture everywhere you look.

In an attempt to brighten things up underneath the colorless sky I wore my favorite orange coat (which is actually bright orange), bought in Toronto two years ago.

We could have traveled to Fells Point by Water Taxi, but the New Yorker in me enjoys her walks too much.

Even though I am not a big fan of seagulls, they undeniably add a certain ambiance to it all. There were no other people around… perfect picturesque serenity.