Upper Chesapeake

Alex Haley statue in downtown Annapolis.
The statue is in the area Kunta Kinte was
brought ashore.

A very common sight in downtown Annapolis.

A rough day at sea

We left Solomon's Island expecting to anchor somewhere south of Annapolis, but the bay was not cooperative.  We hit 3 to 4 foot choppy waves with spray over the top of the boat and David hugging a bucket. So we changed course and headed for La Trappe Creek just beyond Oxford where we enjoyed a quiet night at anchor exploring in the dinghy and playing games.  We saw a gray fox (which actually is quite reddish) running along the banks and two fat raccoons hunting by the edge of the water.

Alice watching the show.

By Friday the bay had calmed down and we crossed to Annapolis.  We tied up to a wall on Ego Alley.  All day and much of the night boats of all sizes cruise up and down the canal to see and be seen.  It was fun just to sit on the front deck and watch the show go by.  We were right downtown Annapolis and only a block from the Naval Academy.  Saturday Alice and I just moseyed around town, took a trolley tour and toured the William Paca house and gardens.  Paca was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  The guys chose to "tour" the old Middleton Tavern.

Middleton Tavern est. 1750

William Paca house and gardens

On Saturday before leaving for the academy,  David was honored for his improved boating skills.  Captain Tom performed the sacred hat ceremony allowing David to wear the Raydiance first mate hat since he had mastered fender knot tying and line "slinging".

David's graduation

The Naval Academy tour was so interesting.  It really gave a small insight into what it must be like to be a midshipman. 

David saluting Captain Tom at entrance to Naval Academy

 

Tecumseh statue painted for
upcoming events.  Reminded
me of "the rock" at Cornell.

Duplexes called Captain's Row.
These are for the instructors who
are in the service.  Nice digs.

Largest dormitory in the world.
Houses 4500 midshipman.  This
is only the central portion.

Navy mascot--nanny goat.
Flags on staff represent all the sports
in which navy beat army this year.
Blue for men, yellow for women.

 requires human bodies stacked to reach the top.

Plebe monument is greased with lard
and the plebes must retrieve a plebe hat
from the top without any aids (such as ladders, etc)
in order to pass from plebe status.  The ceremony requires cooperation and
bodies stacked to reach the top.

Lt. Gen. LeJeune statue stands in front of a
building named in his honor.  We took this
picture because we anchored in a bay just outside

Camp LeJeune on the way up the ICW.

The naval chapel was very impressive.  We were fortunate to be able to see the interior as most Saturdays it is off limits since as many as five weddings may be scheduled.  But this Saturday was the juniors "ring dance" so no weddings were scheduled.

John Paul Jones sarcophagus is
in the lower level of the chapel

Candle and empty pew to honor MIAs

Dressed for the ring dance.

Inside the chapel.

 

Exterior of the chapel

David and Alice left Sunday morning.  They were able to rent a car one way to Norfolk to pick up their car and head for the mountains of West Virginia for a week.  I missed them even before the taxi was out of sight!  They are such good friends.