Annapolis, Maryland

Friday and Saturday, Katie and I took a trip to Annapolis, MD (located about four and a half hours from Virginia Beach). The trip was full of history and giggles - we know how to have some good clean fun :)

The first bit of giggles began shortly into our trip...in order to drive up the Eastern Shore, we had to drive across a 20-mile bridge that spans the Chesapeake Bay. There is a toll to this bridge. We paid the toll, and continued on our way. When we were just over halfway across the bridge, a police car pulled behind us and put his lights on. Shoot! Katie was driving, and this was the first time she had ever been pulled over. I began to search for the vehicle registration as the police walked to the window. The only possible reason Katie could think of for getting pulled over was for going too slow! But we were both freaking out just a little bit. Anyways, when the policeman got to the car, he said not to worry - we weren't in trouble. He then asked why we didn't get any change at the tollbooth. We said that we had thought we gave exact change. Apparently we were wrong. So the policeman takes out his wallet, and gives us two bucks (we had overpaid by $3). We were given the option of turning around to get the other dollar, but we cut our losses and just kept going. What a relief! First time getting pulled over, and rather than having to pay a fine, Katie gets paid by the cop!

The huge homes that can be found along the Eastern Shore in Virginia are incredible. Katie and I really enjoyed the drive through rural Virginia into Maryland. We arrived in Annapolis, and were so excited to begin exploring the city! Our hotel was one of the three Historic Inns of Annapolis - located smack dab in the middle of downtown historic Annapolis. After our car was parked, we got to check out our wicked awesome hotel - full of history, very quaint, perfect choice :) We were within walking distance of everything that we wanted to see! AND there was a Starbucks located in the basement of our hotel. Way cool.

After getting settled, we walked around town, did some window shopping, and meandered our way down to the waterfront. As the sun was just about finished setting, we headed into an Irish pub for dinner. I had classic Sheppard's Pie, and Katie had a chicken pot pie. Soooo yummy. And then we ordered a slice of apple pie to share for dessert (we explained to our waiter that we reached the decision to have this dessert because it was the healthiest option, due to the fact that it contains fruit). We hung out at the pub for most of the night, each of us having a couple of cocktails while listening to live music. Fun night. We were both tired when we arrived back at our room, and decided to catch some zzzzz's.

We decided to wake up early to begin our day of sightseeing. However, apparently we got up too early...nothing else was open yet! We got our coffee, and then wandered around town for about an hour until things started opening up. It was a beautiful crisp morning, so the walk was wonderful.

The main attractions that we toured included:

The State House (Maryland's Capitol building, and former United States Captiol). The Senate and House were both meeting today, and we were able to sit in on part of the Senate meeting. Neat stuff. This is also the building where the Treaty of Paris was signed, and where George Washington resigned from being a general.

William Paca House. Mr. Paca was one of the four delegates from Maryland to sign the Declaration of Independence. We toured his house and surrounding gardens.


United States Naval Academy. We toured the visitor's center, where we learned about the requirements of admission and what the typical day of a midshipman is like. We also toured the Chapel (which was more like a cathedral), and saw the Crypt of John Paul Jones. Right before we left the Academy, we saw some drills being completed - instense stuff. The men in charge were really yelling at some of those soldiers - I would have cried.


Other things that we saw in Annapolis included the Govenor's House, Navy men, and St. Anne's Church (with Tiffany windows). Lunch was had at a local crepe shop...perfect for taking to the waterfront to eat and watch the boats and water.

The drive home was even more beautiful than the drive up (the weather was nicer on Saturday than it had been Friday). We had some giggles during that car ride as well - we passed a run-down trailer park labeled as "Dreamland - A Touch of Class." We also passed a chicken factory who boasted having "Fresh Young Chickens"...it smelled so bad.

Katie and I had a great couple of days in Annapolis!