Annapolis: Home of the U.S. Naval Academy

 There are anchors sitting around the U. S. Naval Academy. 

Big winds last night woke me at 1:30 am.  I woke the Captain to check our lines.  I knew he wouldn't want to miss the excitement. He did double up the stern and spring lines.  Outside the wind was howling and gusting.  Hardware on sailboat masts was clanking. George returned to bed and went right back to sleep. I stayed awake reading 'Tis for a couple of hours.

George did more engineering today, and I did the dishes and defrosted the refrigerator.  We met Sue and Dan from Tranquility for lunch at Chick & Ruth's Deli.  More crab cakes!  I may finally have eaten enough crab.  We enjoyed this iconic spot, packed with Midshipmen and women.  When we exited, there was a line out the door.  We parted from our friends, and George and I toured the U. S. Naval Academy.

The Naval Academy is impressive.  We watched a short introductory movie and took a walking tour on our own.  History and crisp-dressed Midshipmen/women and other tourists surrounded us. It was a beautiful May day.  Here are some of our favorite sights:

First, we walked down the street of homes for the top administrators.  I wonder when these were built. They were lovely and historic. A sign said, "No jogging.  No dog walking." That seemed odd. There are more runners in this town than average.

In the chapel one side of the building had stained glass windows from the Old Testament, and the other had windows representing the New.  The Old Testament scenes were ocean stories. 

The crypt of John Paul Jones is in a room below the chapel.  We learned a lot about John Paul.

This model of a Wright B-1 Flyer hangs in Dahlgren Hall.  

We also toured the museum in Preble Hall.  I tired of it before George and made my way back to the boat.  He stayed another hour to view the model ships on the second floor.  As I walked home, I noted that Annapolis has more houses with flags than typical.  Lots of houses fly more than one flag.  Graduation is in two days, and flower beds are planted in blues and golds too.  Stores have congratulations painted on their windows wishing, "Fair winds and following seas."

Tomorrow we are going to Atlanta for five days to visit family and friends.  The blog will take a short break and return to action on Wednesday, May 20, when we return to Aunt Aggie with friends, Cathe Echterhoff and Tom Branch.  They will be the first guests to travel with us.  We will cruise from Annapolis to Delaware if we have good weather.