Day 424
5159 miles
We left St. Michaels on Tuesday morning at 9 am under overcast skies. As often happens with that weather, the water in the Bay was flat calm. We like flat! It was a short ride of 31 miles to Annapolis so we took it slow to conserve fuel. We like good fuel mileage!
Mike and I had visited Annapolis during our RV travels in October, 2013, but it was a first for Greg and Karen. I can always revisit interesting and historical places, and it is different from a water perspective.
Our slip at the Annapolis Yacht Basin put us one long block from downtown and just a few blocks from the entrance to the Naval Academy. We could see the campus from the boat. We were close enough to hear the playing of the national anthem on Wednesday morning at 8 am during their flag raising.
Passing the Naval Academy entering the marina. The dome is the Navy Chapel.
Downtown Annapolis
The State House is in the background.
The Naval Academy is the only one of the military schools that is right in a community. The city embraces the midshipmen and the naval life.
Every stop on the east coast has been a history lesson, with buildings dating back before we became a nation. The Middleton Tavern is one of the oldest continuously operating taverns in America.
They say Ben Franklin ate here!
Annapolis is the capitol of the state and Tuesday afternoon we went to see the Maryland State House.
It is the oldest in the nation still in legislative use. Annapolis was also the capitol of the United States from November, 1783 to August, 1784.
Modern day Maryland Senate Chambers
Old House of Delegates Chamber
At noon on December 23, 1783, George Washington stood before Congress to resign his command of the Continental Army.
Up close and personal with George.
Wednesday morning, after hearing the Star Spangled Banner on the boat, Mike and I went for breakfast at Chick and Ruth's Delly, a local landmark. Every morning at 8:30 all the customers are asked to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Here's the back of my head as I am facing the flag, gladly doing this patriotic activity. They are also famous for their 6 pound milkshakes!
Wednesday afternoon we walked the campus of the Naval Academy, which was established in 1845.
It educates officers for the Navy and the Marine Corps.
The Barry Gate led us to the Visitor's Center which is filled with displays and a film on the life of a midshipman.
Honor ~ Courage ~ Commitment
Honor ~ Duty ~ Loyalty
These words are a way of life for all who attend the Academy, or any other military institution.
"Fear The Goat"
Bill - the Navy Mascot
The Naval Chapel Dome
Inside the chapel.
Not every choir loft has a ship in it!
Housing for the Naval leaders of the Academy.
Most of the time the "Go Navy" signs were followed by "Beat Army" as if Army was the only team they played in sports. It's obviously the one that matters.
The home of Vice Admiral Walter Carter, Jr - Superintendent of the Academy.
It really is a lovely campus.
The battle flag of Oliver Hazard Perry.
This was in the Naval Academy Museum where important figures in the history of the Academy were honored. It was interesting to learn about John Lejeune, considered the "greatest Leatherneck of them all." The aquatics center on campus is named after him, along with Camp Lejeune, back on the ICW in North Carolina where we got held up with the live ammunition firings!
A replica of the Wright Brothers Flyer hangs in Dahlgren Hall. An event was getting ready to begin and we listened to the musicians warming up.
One of the best parts of stopping in Annapolis was having the opportunity to enjoy a dinner with our niece Rylee, husband Tim and their daughters Gemma and Edith (who made the drive from their home in Washington, D.C) Rylee's sister Meghan was visiting them so the bonus was we got to see her, too!
Unique and Random Photo of the Day:
While we were touring the State House, these protesters came in, laid on the floor, and began singing "Everybody's got a right to live . . . "
It was all very peaceful as the officers escorted them out.
The protesters could have been part of a choir, the singing was that beautiful!
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