June 15-17, Annapolis, MD

Ran about 3 hours from St Michaels to Annapolis in a one foot chop (comfortable) and in much cooler weather. Temp this morning is in the low 60's and overcast. We are wearing long pants, sweatshirts and jackets on the fly bridge. Approach to Annapolis harbor is dominated by the US Naval Academy. It is a beautiful sight.

U.S. Naval Academy as we enter Annapolis Harbor

Downtown Annapolis as we enter the Marina areas

Lots of sailboats in Annapolis Harbor

Shops and restaurants mixed together.

Shops and more shops. Lots of pedestrian traffic.

We had breakfast at a downtown deli on Saturday where we (all the customers and staff) were asked to stand at 9:30am and were led in the "Pledge of Allegiance". Restaurant said they have been doing this every day at 9:30am since the 1930's. Hearty breakfast and busiest place in town.

Downtown is a walking area.

KOKOMO II is right in the middle of it all! We like this place.

Took a tour of the Naval Academy and later a trolley tour of the town. Annapolis (the Naval Academy) is about a 300 acre campus, home to 4000+ midshipmen, and located right on the Severn River adjacent to the historic area of Annapolis (the town). Great massive granite buildings of classic architecture. Dorm alone covers 35 acres and houses all 4000+ midshipmen. We went to the chapel, which is a highlight of the campus, and saw two formal Navy weddings while we were on the tour (crossed swords as they exit the chapel included) and were told that usually 6 to 8 weddings were scheduled Saturdays in the summer.

Chapel at the Naval Academy.

We went to the Chapel on Sunday for the Protestant service and got to see the Tiffany stained glass windows and hear the organ play. Very impressive sight inside the chapel. Midshipmen were not present as the 2007 class has graduated, the returning midshipmen are away for summer duty with the navy. The new "Plebes" are to arrive in two weeks for orientation.

The dorm that houses 4000+ cadets in one building. The granite building covers 35 acres and has several wings, not shown. All 4000+ cadets eat meals in one dining room at the same time.

Officers quarters.

Statue of Indian Chief Tecumseh faces the dorm building. Cadets often decorate or paint the statue to suit the occasion. Statue gets cleaned and restored every Monday.

This nice weekend in June there are lots of sailboats in the harbor, in the river and in the bay. Annapolis considers itself the sailing capital of the USA. Wonder what Newport, RI, thinks about that.


Lots of pedestrian and boat traffic in the City Dock area where we have KOKOMO II for the weekend.

We are on an historical-food tour with a costumed guide sampling the food at a dozen eateries in Annapolis while soaking up the history of the buildings and the people.

Annapolis (the town) is home to a small liberal arts school, St John's College, who's curriculum is based on the reading of 130 "great books" that they say are the basis of western civilization. Small school, turns out mostly teachers. One night, as the story goes, a Naval midshipman was talking (in a bar?) with a St John's student about the various courses each was taking. Navy man talked about the extensive physical nature of his training and mentioned that Midshipmen were so well trained that it was likely that they could compete successfully in sports against ANY school in ANY sport. The St John's student said that was going a bit far and asked if that would apply to St john's as well. Navy said that of course it would and St John's could pick the sport. The St John's student accepted the challenge and chose croquet. And so a croquet match has been held each year, for the past 26 years, on the St John's campus between the students of the two schools. The score is now St John's 23-Navy 3. You got to watch those deep thinkers.