Great Maryland (and neighbors) Photo Expedition

My vote is for ESPN Zone. I love that place.

I won't be able to make dinner, but I'll be there in the morning. Sounds like fun.

SuzyView

What a shame - any chance you'll change your mind?

Have Fun,

I'd favour Tir Na n'Og, with ESPN as a second choice.
Rick - does the SanDisk unit handle RAW or just JPEG? Also, my PPC does WiFi; we might even be able to post from on site.

Any updates? Where we eatin'? I'm ready to go!

Aquarium Attack Planning
(Release 1.1)

I got an email from the Aquarium (actually, someone that works there ), and here's the info:

• All cameras must be hand-held. No tripods, no monopods. (I have a chain-pod that I'm taking, but if they say anything it goes right in my bag).
  
• On-camera flashes are okay - but no additional lighting.
  
• Tickets are for sale online with an entrance time. It is unclear to me what is the earliest entry time available, as the email was confusing. The first entry time is 10 AM. More on tickets below
  
• I have the name of one guy who has my cell phone number, and he said he would call me with info about whether we can go in the back door. Stay tuned.
  
• The entrance is near the new Australian Outback exhibit, and that will likely be packed all day. If you want unobstructed shots there, early may be your best chance.
  
• The Rainforest and Shark Tank offer an opportunity to get shots without people in the way if you go directly to the Rainforest as soon as you get inside. Follow the ramps up and don't stop to look at any other exhibits. If we get in early, there's a good chance you'll get there before the crowd. You can always go back and see the other exhibits in a second pass if you want.
  
• Shark Tank - The routinng is new, you cannot go up from the bottom as I posted previously. Go to and through the Rainforest, and when you exit you will go down an escalator to the Shark Tank (PS there's more there besides sharks). They told me that when you reach the bottom you have to go up on an escalator to get out.
  
• Marine Mammal Pavilion - They do not have 'shows' but they have 'demonstrations' at 11:00 and 1:00. With the new entrance, I'm not sure how you get to the ramps that lead to the pavilion, but there will be signs. Make sure you get there and get in line early enough to pick the seat you want. As I mentioned before, if you sit in the lower rows of seats, you will get wet, so carry a '1' series with weather sealing, or sit higher.
  
• The seal pool is permanently gone.
  
• Tickets - I will order them if you want. I'd like to get a count by Thursday noon. So far, it looks like 5 for the Aquarium. If you want to get them on your own, go for it, but we won't necessarily all have the same entry time. I asked whether we can buy the tickets for the Dollar Day online, and they said yes. Online tickets have a $1.75 service charge per ticket, so that raises the price to $2.75 each.
  

I have a nice bag with all the stuff for the day - at home I will bring it with me tomorrow, and make the contacts. It looks like its between ESPNZone and Tir Na N'og. I'll update as soon as I know.

Have Fun,

I noted your userid - Do you play Baseball?

That's okay, I just won't accept any vitamins from you. . .

Have Fun,

Still planning to be there and with my 20D. It's a keeper! I'm having so much fun playing with the self-timer, we're taking a family portrait tonight and my 17 year old has a piano lesson until 9:30. I should have done this on day 1 of my son's visit home. How we always wait until the last moment. . . .

Please tell me final details by Friday. Can't wait. My husband and boys think I'm crazy, but I'm really excited.

SuzyView

Hoo rah. All sounds good to me. What time does the aquarium open? Since it doesn't look like many people are coming, I could get there uber-early and get the tickets. That way we can be in the door as soon as they open. Did they give you a time when the ticket booth opens? How about the aquarium itslef, 10?

The family went out to dinner the other night (ironically, to Outback Steakhouse), and we got to discussing it, and my wife and older daughter were falling out of their chairs laughing over some of the details (they just don't understand ) Luckily, the younger daughter has a level head on her shoulders, and didn't think it was all that funny.

I'm getting psyched.

Have Fun,

Tickets are already selling online, and 10:00 entry times will probably be gone by Saturday morning. That's why I'd like to buy them tomorrow (Thursday).

If the guy calls me on my cell phone, we might get a break to get in early, but that's not a lock.

Have Fun,

Oops, forgot that you said you were getting them tomorrow. Sorry

I'd like to get a confirm from arpi, I'll send him a PM.

Last call for Aquarium tickets with the group - if you don't get them with us you can still get in, it will just be a different entry time. We are trying to get in as early as possible (9:00).

Have Fun,