Day 273    Back Cove Anchorage,

Baltimore, MD

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Passing a freighter on the Chesapeake

Anchorage at Back Cove looking toward Stoney Creek

Since we have recently spent a lot of time in marinas, all of us were ready to spend a night “on the hook”.   We continued up Chesapeake Bay with Seamoore and anchored in Back Cove, a few miles from Baltimore.  There were a few houses and boat docks around, but it was a very quiet and relaxing night.     

Total miles:  29      Total bridges:  0        Total locks:  0

Days 271 - 272    Yacht Basin,

Annapolis, MD

Monday May 23 – Tuesday, May 24, 2011

A tow actually towing a barge on Chesapeake Bay

AYC

Dream Catcher and Seamoore docked in front of the Annapolis Yacht Club

Seamoore and Dream Catcher at Yacht Basin with green roof of USNA gymnasium in the background

McGarvey's Pub

Lunch with Linda, Rich, Carlton, Becky, and Jim at McGarvey's Pub

Annapolis street scene

Annapolis street 

Alex Haley statue

Plaque in the City Museum

Wrestling and martial arts room (yes, it's coed)

USNA pool where cadets must swim 4 laps (200 meters) in 5 minutes

USNA boasts 2 Heisman Trophy winners

Captain's Row at USNA

Monument honoring the Centennial of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force

Dormitory at USNA

Our tour guide in cadets' room

One cadet's side of a room shared by 2 cadets

Naval Academy chapel

Naval Academy chapel

Naval Academy chapel

Plaque on Capitol grounds

House chamber

Senate chamber

Plaque on the floor of the Capitol

One of numerous streets radiating from the Capitol

Pusser's dock with the Capitol building in the distance

Annapolis is one of the most impressive cities that we have visited on the loop.  The historic downtown area features original buildings from the 1700 and 1800s that have now been restored as shops and restaurants.  The area is referred to as “a museum without walls”.  The narrow, brick streets spread out in spokes from the State Capitol building that was once the U.S. Capitol building.  This is where George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army after the Revolutionary War.

The most impressive part of Annapolis is the U.S. Naval Academy.  In our 2 hour walking tour of the academy we learned that out of the over 18,000 applications received last year, only 1,000 students were selected.  Now that’s some of the best and brightest.  We stopped on the street to chat with several students.  They were all genuinely friendly, polite, and knowledgeable.  From what we experienced the future of our country is in excellent hands. 

Another reason that we enjoyed Annapolis is that we were able to catch up with Linda and Rich on Goofin Off.  They were at a different marina, but staying Monday night in Annapolis.  It was great to see them and to get part of the Looper Train back together again. 

On Tuesday we used our yacht club reciprocal agreement to go to dinner at the Annapolis Yacht Club.  It was a beautiful evening to sit outside and enjoy the harbor.             

Total miles:  54       Total bridges:  0        Total locks:  0