I got my sea legs quickly; now I need my land legs!  Amazing how firm ground sways and the boat feels fine.

We pulled into Annapolis on Thursday, May 29, about noon after a very chilly, cloudy, drizzly four hours. Docked in Eastport, a small town just across from Annapolis, where the Harbor Boat Yard will be inspecting the rigging. Seems they are backed up some though and we will be here for a few days. 

There is still plenty to do to on the boat including cleaning every nook. The galley and salon are looking good!

Craig painted white links on the anchor chain every 25 feet so we’ll know how much chain is going out;  

But there’s also plenty of sightseeing to be done and Annapolis is charming and full of history. Lafayette had an encampment just down the street from us in 1783; George Washington resigned his commission before the Continental Congress in the State House; and of course, this is the home of the Naval Academy.  

Plebes have arrived for summer orientation and we saw several very young looking newbies arriving with their parents.  A Visitor Center video introduces you to the structured four-year education awaiting these arrivals. The Maritime Museum has wonderful exhibits of the history of the Navy. This museum is also houses a wonderful collection of antique model ships many of which were built in the late 1600s and 1700s. The craftsmanship and attention to details was spectacular.

A walk down the row of officers’ housing brought us to the main Chapel.  

Beautiful stained glass windows made by Tiffany and Gorham follow both a nautical and biblical theme. In the back you can see a ship model which, to give you an idea of the size of this room, is as long as one of the pews! The organist sometimes does play during the day but is unfortunately on a two week vacation so we missed that. There are both Protestant and Catholic services on Sundays and mass every day, but no longer is attendance required. A volunteer said that about 50% of the cadets participate in some sort of religious activity now.  

Also in the church is the impressive crypt of John Paul Jones who actually died and was buried in France and was later exhumed and brought here.   

Back into town is the State House, the first peacetime capital of the U.S. where Congress ratified the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War.

Much of the street is still brick and the layout of the city was done following styles in England.

Another church in town worth a visit is St. Mary’s.  A small garden leads you to the entrance.   

The best view of St. Mary’s is from the bridge over Spa Creek.

Back at the boat, a rigger went up the mast to inspect it and we are going to be replacing all the rigging. Fortunately he can do it without taking the mast down; unfortunately he can’t get to it for two weeks.   So we'll go cruise nearby for a few days and then return for the rigging.

Sadly, due to these delays, Craig and Sue had to leave on June 4th. We could not possibly have come as far as we have without their help and I would not feel as confident as I do (or hope to!) anchoring and docking without Craig's patient guidance. We very much regret that they didn't get more time on the water, but promise to make it up next winter in Florida!