With the Lolligag looking pristine and the sun shining, we headed to Annapolis. The day was beautiful and sea was calm. Seeing the huge mooring ball field and the proximity of the of dinghy dock to the downtown area, we opted to attach ourselves to a mooring ball. I am going to brag just a tad and say that I have become quite adept at being able to grab the mooring ball line on my first attempt and quickly attach our lines make us secure and snug.
The mooring field is so cool in that it is immediately adjacent to the Naval Academy dock. Needless to say, security is heavy but it was so neat to sit outside on Lolligag’s deck to watch the cadets stroll the campus or practicing drill maneuvers in full dress uniform. Since we had been there just days before with crew members John and Georganne, we knew that there was much to see and do in Annapolis. Being one of the oldest seaports in the United States, the core of the city is right along the waterways. The small clapboard homes are close together, wonderfully restored and maintained making us feel like we were back in the 1700s. It is very easy to walk to the several square miles to see the many residential and historical buildings. Also being the capital of Maryland, Annapolis houses the Governor’s mansion and the state house both of which are within easy walking distance from the dinghy dock..
We took the dinghy into town and spent the afternoon of the first day walking the streets that we had not seen when visiting over the weekend.
The residential areas are lovely and the residents have taken great strides to maintain the homes in their original paint colors with the original or authentic looking doors, windows and hardware. Flower baskets and window boxes add to the charming look and feel.
We decided to splurge for dinner and we ate at the Middleton Tavern immediately overlooking the waterway with boats lining the downtown district. The food was excellent and we had a bottle of one of the best Riesling wines ever. The bottle of wine was not expensive, in the area of $20, and is Dr Heyden imported from Germany. For the first time in a long long time, we were able to sleep comfortably with the hatches and portholes open. It felt so good to be just a little chilly for a change…
Bright and early we were up and on our way to the world-renown eatery Chick & Ruth's Delly. Small, cramped and totally family run, this restaurant has served the city of Annapolis and just about every naval cadet since 1965. True to its reputation, the food was plentiful, good and very reasonable. Unfortunately we were seated right by the front door so people were often brushing against us as they made their way in and out of the establishment. On Thursday afternoon we took a guided walking tour of historic Annapolis as well as the Naval Academy. Our guide was dressed in authentic colonial garb and was informative and clever with his comments as he took us around the town. Both the city tour and the Academy visit were excellent.
I have continued my running routine. I am not sure at all that I am seeing any results in body size or weight, but I am finding that I actually like the discipline of making myself run at least four times per week as well as the way I feel when I complete my runs. Again, by most runner’s standards what I am doing can hardly be called running, but like the tortoise, slow, steady and sure, I will prevail. Presidential candidate John McCain was a member of the 1958 graduating class from the Naval Academy and the class of '58 was celebrating its 50 class reunion on Saturday, September 20th. In discussing our options for staying in Annapolis over the weekend, it took us about five seconds to decide that it was time for us to move along.
Hours on the water: 3
Nautical miles traveled: 23
Number of bridges to be opened: 0
Time spent waiting at bridge: 0
Next Destination: St Michaels, Maryland
What we're listening to: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
What we watched: The Naval Academy
Lesson for the day: Annapolis still retains its charm after 300 years
Obligatory knitting report: Mittens and hats for Wunder Kids
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