5/22/18: Our plan was to go back west across the Chesapeake to Annapolis. (Yes – I have us zigzagging our way back and forth across the bay as we move north.) Way back when we were in Crisfield, we were told that Annapolis would be crazy with the United States Naval Academy commencement week. There would be the Blue Angels, and even President Trump was speaking, so there would be lots of extra security around. We even told other people that this might not be the week to go to Annapolis. What were we thinking? The day started out overcast and feeling very much like Seattle weather. Anchor Goddess Karen got up on the bow with the wiener dog hose to wash down the VERY muddy anchor chain, one foot at a time as it came up. That is a very long process, but so thankful for the washdown! Without it, our whole anchor cubby would be full of mud! And away we go! Because we had come to St. Michaels via the “backdoor”, we had to go south before we could go north. There was just a breeze from the south today, so it wasn’t an unpleasant ride.
As we puttered along, we saw at least 7 cargo ships just anchored and hanging out in the bay outside of Annapolis harbor. Annapolis is at the mouth of the Severn River. We also heard the Coast Guard transmitting an alert on the VHF radio. Portions of the Severn River were closed today and tomorrow due to the Blue Angels. There would be guidance boats and coast guard on the river, and a new temporary channel to enter Annapolis harbor, but it could be closed anytime between 9-4. Oh boy! Annapolis has a mooring ball field with about 40 balls, for something like $35/night. We thought that would be a good idea. Except now that we realize that the Blue Angels are practicing today and performing tomorrow, getting one of those will be impossible. So Captain called the city harbormaster. No mooring balls available, but there are some slips available. Hmmm. The ones with the city are not the best location – they back up into a public parking lot. Perhaps the Yacht Basin Marina right there might have something? According to what I had read, they were the same price. Captain called them – just as the Blue Angels buzzed over the top of us! WOW! OK – once we could talk and hear again on the phone, there is space at the Yacht Basin. We himhawed around. Should we mess with Annapolis? Should we just keep moving north? I left it to the Captain – he is the one that would have to deal with all the boat traffic and Coast Guard and stress. He decided – We’ll take it. It wouldn’t be two inexpensive nights in Annapolis on a mooring ball, but this should be fun! We know there are other loopers there. As we got closer, we could see hundreds of boats just anchored in the mouth of the river. The Coast Guard boats were patrolling a narrow path lined with buoys, keeping it open as the route into the harbor. Luckily, there was a large tour boat going in, so we just followed it, figuring it knew the correct route.
We got instructions for where our slip was located. It is so nice to have this iPad! I could look up the marina map on the marina’s website, so when they told us “slip 41”, I could show the captain where we were going. Then with Google maps, I could show him a satellite view of the approach. It was a pretty tight approach, but we did great, and Captain got us backed in beautifully. Loopers from another boat came to help grab lines for us – how nice! Just as I was handing a line to the dock hand, it started POURING down a deluge of buckets of rain! Oh my goodness, we all got soaked, and it was over in about 7 minutes. REALLY!? That was crazy Florida-like rain!! Later on, Captain shocked me – he admitted after we were docked that he never looked backwards, but just listened to my instructions. He was focused on the boats in front of us, so that our bows didn’t meet! Wow! That’s pretty awesome that we work so well as a team! 😊 We got all settled, and then found that there were at least 6 other Looper boats in this marina, and more around the corner! Herb – a fella in his 70’s doing the loop a second time by himself in a boat over 50’ – has room for everyone and invited us all over at 5:00 for docktails on the ‘porch’ of Phanthom. YAY! It is really fun to be back around other loopers! We’ve been missing the commraderie with them! In the mean time, I sat out on the bow and watched the Blue Angels. They are so impressive and so loud – its not like you can take a nap with them buzzing around! Tomorrow’s show should be awesome, especially with better weather!
We walked into the historic part of town here at the harbor. What a neat place! We’ll have to do more exploring tomorrow!
We walked up to the State House. OK – a little mini history lesson for us all: In 1650, the Puritans were seeking religious freedom and settled here and named their town Providence. The town grew and was renamed Anne Arundell Town in 1694 in honor of Lord Baltimore’s wife. (Honestly, I don’t know who that was.). Just the next year in 1695, the capital was moved from St. Mary’s City to this town, and it was renamed Annapolis, in honor of Princess Anne who later became Queen of England in 1702. This State House is the oldest state Capitol in continuous legislative use , and the only state Capitol to serve as a U.S. Capitol. Contruction on it began in 1772, and some very important events in history happened here. In 1783, General George Washington resigned as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Congress met here and ratified the Treaty of Paris in 1784, officially and formally ending the Revolutionary War. This is a side view of the building and grounds-
And the front view:
Another interesting tidbit about Annapolis. Back when Governor Francis Nicholson chose this place and renamed it as Annapolis, he directed that the city be configured according to a baroque street plan, much like what was then used in European Capitol cities. There would be two town circles – the highest and largest revolved around the Capitol building. The second highest circle was an Anglican Church. The residential and merchant areas developed around the harbor. Sure enough – when you look at the street map of Annapolis, there is a big traffic circle around the State House, and a smaller one just to the left of it, around the church.
Next in our quick walkabout was the United States Naval Academy. It is open to the public, for free! So we went in and strolled around a bit.
What a beautiful campus! There was a lot of activity with it being commencement week. History lesson number two for today: Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft established the Naval School in 1845. In 1850 it became the United States Naval Academy. The curriculum of four consecutive years with at-sea training in the summers was also adopted in 1850 and is still in place today. The mission is focused on “developing midshipmen morally, mentally and physically into leaders of character for the Navy and Marine Corp”. Here is a description of this weeks celebration:
- The commissioning and graduation ceremony is the culmination of the four-year education and training of the men and women of the Class of 2018. Each graduate receives a Bachelor of Science degree and takes the oath of office as they are each commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy or as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.
There were lots of good looking men and women in white uniforms walking about!
We went into the Chapel which was built in 1908. It is beautiful. This is a side view. It’s dome was actually more noticeable than the State House when we were coming into the harbor.
The front. There are huge anchors on either side of the steps. The anchors were made for our navy’s first armored cruiser “New York” during the Spanish-American war. They each weigh about 10,500 lbs.
The chapel is used for both Catholic and Protestant services. There were references and art everywhere related to the sea. As one who is drawn to the sea, I loved it!
There were beautiful stained glass windows along both sides. Each of them had Biblical references to something to do with the sea. This one had to do with becoming fishers of men.
This one was about Noah finding favor with God.
And in the back of the room, way up high over the pipe organ, was a sailing ship suspended from the ceiling.
We continued our stroll around the Academy. This is the Bancroft Hall. It is the largest dormitory in the U.S. There were wings out both sides and out the back that I couldn’t get in the picture.
Inside, upstairs, was Memorial Hall, which looked all set up for something. Really a beautiful building.
Our time was almost up – we were expected to be at docktails at 5:00! As we found our way to an exit, we walked along this row of officer’s homes. They were sporting their Navy and Marine Corp flags…. along with a few “beat Army” slogans.
We made it to docktails on Herb’s boat. It poured down thunderstorm rain while we were there, but it was a fun time and his “back porch” is covered. I took this panoramic picture before everyone even got there. I think another 8 or so more came, and we had at least 12 boats represented!
Tomorrow we’ll wander around town some more, and sample some good food somewhere. Kenny says he needs a haircut. I wonder how he would look with a military hair-do? And we’ll watch the Blue Angels. In all the years of living near Seattle, I never watched them fly over Lake Washington for SeaFair in August. They are AH-MAY-ZING! I’m so glad Captain chose to come into Annapolis. I’m finding it to be a very interesting place!