Wednesday, June 12: Cruising up the Bay to Annapolis

Date:                           June 12, 2013

Day on the Cruise:      58

From:                          Knapp's Narrows, Tilghman Island, MD                                                            

To:                              Annapolis, MD

Statute Miles:              23.1

Time:                           3.33 Hrs

Cumulative Miles:       1,446.3 SM

On Board:                  Susan, Chuck, Maggie, Trooper, Peanut

We were at Tilghman Island last night.

Knapp's Narrows on Tilghman Island, West of Oxford, MD

We are in Annapolis, MD tonight

Annapolis as it relates to the Mid Atlantic States

This morning we left Tilghman Island shortly after 9 and headed to Annapolis. The marina where we stayed had a continental breakfast of which we partook up in the Inn. Very nice! Other than donuts at two marinas, this was the first breakfast that has been served by a marina on our trip.

The Bay had a light chop all the way to Annapolis. I wanted to cross the Bay to the West side, but crab pots and the fishing fleet pushed me off course and I wound up going up the ship channel, more in the middle of the Bay. For some reason, my autopilot would not track on the waypoints, so I used it to steer a compass heading, which worked OK.

Looking out the front door this morning

Boat traffic picked up near the Severn River at Annapolis. There were a lot of sailboats under sail only and we dodged them and other power boats. It was a real free for all, and somewhat stressful. We found the marina on Back Creek OK and docked about 12:30.

Thomas Point Light in the Bay South of Annapolis

Anchorage in the Bay off of Annapolis

We are in the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis at a very nice marina and club. Eastport is an old section of town on the East side of Spa Creek that splits Annapolis. Lots of marinas along Spa Creek in what I would call downtown Annapolis, and lots of marinas along Back Creek in Eastport.

Scenes from our marina in Annapolis

Scene from our marina in Annapolis

Looking at the bridge across the Bay from our marina in Annapolis

Looking up Back Creek in Annapolis

Shoreline along our marina in Annapolis

Public dinghy dock next to our marina in Annapolis

After lunch, we took off on foot and walked into downtown Annapolis. We went over to the Naval Academy to check on tours, and wound up taking our own walking tour. Once you are checked in through the visitor's center, you can walk anywhere you want around campus. I have been to the Academy a bunch of times, so I wanted to see the things we had seen before. We went in the Chapel, where I had never been, and it was beautiful. We also went into Bancroft Hall where the Midshipmen live on campus. We saw a big rotunda and a sample dorm room. The freshmen (Plebes) don't report until the end of the month, so the only folks on campus were staff and some campers. We did see what looked like midshipmen taking sailing training, but I am not sure who all they were.

We passed the Boston Whaler dealership on the way into downtown. The Whaler is famous for staying afloat even when cut in two!

Walking across the bridge into downtown

"Ego Alley" - the public dock right in downtown Annapolis

Ego Alley in downtown Annapolis

Ego Alley in downtown Annapolis

Downtown Annapolis looking up the hill

Ego Alley - public dock in downtown

Visitor's Entrance at the Naval Academy

Senior Officer's Quarters at the Academy

Superintendent's Quarters at the Academy

Beautiful scenery at the Academy

Superintendent's Quarters at the Academy

Naval Academy Chapel

Huge stained glass window behind the altar at the Naval Academy Channel

Scene on the grounds of the Academy

Looking at classroom buildings at the Academy

Scene at the Academy

Statute of Tecumseh

Bancroft Hall, the Dormitory Complex

Bancroft Hall

Looking upstairs toward the Rotunda in Bancroft Hall

The Rotunda in Bancroft Hall

Plaster ceiling in the Rotunda

Plaster ceiling and art work in the Rotunda

Looking at the back of Bancroft Hall from the Rotunda

Sailing vessel in the distance from the Rotunda at Bancroft Hall

Rotunda ceiling

Never give up the ship!!!

Looking down to the entrance of Bancroft Hall from the Rotunda

Midshipman's Room

Shower

Midshipman's Room

The campus is beautiful. Very park-like with huge trees and large green spaces. Many statutes are on campus and there are a lot of flags and bells displayed. We walked by the sailing facility and the football practice fields. We also took in the visitor center and gift shop.

Looking at the assembly area in front of Bancroft Hall

Park-like area in front of Bancroft Hall

Sailboat basin at the Academy

Sailing training going on this afternoon at the Academy

Nice sailboats at the Academy

Athletic Fields with football practice facility in the distance

The famous Nay Goat

By the time we finished walking around campus, we went back into town and walked up the main street to check out what we wanted to see in the next two days. There are a bunch of shops that we want to go in downtown. We walked up the hill to the Maryland Statehouse and found a bar and restaurant called Harry Brown's that had been recommended to us. We wound up having drinks in the upstairs bar, then eating dinner in the bar. It was very good and the adult beverages were cold on a hot day!

Tomorrow we will go back to town to see more sights. We love Annapolis!

Thanks for Reading!