Annapolis – Sailing Capital of the US

by Nancy

Annapolis surprised us with how much we enjoyed it, we spent five days here and we didn’t get enough. It is an intense boating area, and with the Naval Academy nearby it has a sense of excellence everywhere. It happened to be Commissioning Week at the Academy, which added to the vibe, with lots of parents and visitors in town for the festivities.

Sailboats everywhere with yachtsmen of all ages.
The Naval Academy’s mascot, Bill, is named after the billy goat. Chosen because of the Navy’s history with goats being transported on Naval vessels.
One of the favorite buildings at the Academy – has that Navy official feel.
If you don’t know how to swim when you enter the academy you will by the time you leave with swim tests required for graduation, the only military academy with that requirement.
Dahlgren Hall usually used for drills was being decorated for the traditional “ring dance” a ceremony where 2nd year midshipmen receive their class rings and dip them into the “waters of the seven seas”.
Fireworks viewed from our boat over at the Naval Academy as part of the commissioning celebration.
The Naval Academy Chapel with its renowned pipe organ. After Commissioning week the Chapel is booked with weddings every weekend during the summer with ceremonies taking place every hour. You do have to be a grad to get married here. Don’t show up late or you could be marrying the wrong one!
The crypt of John Paul Jones, considered to be the father of the Navy is located in the basement of the Naval Academy Chapel. Once laid to rest in France, his remains were later exhumed and brought to the academy. The crypt was a gift from France.
The Mission Statement of the Naval Academy along with the beauty, serenity, and history of this campus left us feeling that we are in good hands with the people who will defend and serve our country now and into the future.
Annapolis Yacht club, this is one of three buildings the club operates. This one houses the restaurants and ship’s store. There was also a Sailing Center and a Rec building with a fitness center and pool.
Lunch on the patio of the Annapolis Yacht club.
Beautiful lobby of the Annapolis Yacht Club. This building was built after their previous building was lost to fire about five years ago.
Logo of the Annapolis yacht
We got a kick out of the fact they had apparel for the “little yachtsmen” in their ship’s store.
We were surprised to hear that the Maiden, the beautiful 58-foot ocean racing yacht was in town. If you don’t know the story about this boat or about its all-female crew, you should see the movie, Maiden. It’s inspiring to learn how they got the financing to do the Whitbread Round the World Race. The yacht achieved good results and broke records. Captain Tracy Edwards became the first female winner of the Yachtsmen of the Year Trophy. Now Maiden is doing an around-the-world sail to raise money for girls’ education; the non-profit is called The Maiden Factor.
We stayed at the EYC on the Severn River with hopes of catching the Blue Angels practice session for the Commissioning Day program. Unfortunately, the day of the practice brought the fog and a delayed start and we were scheduled to leave for Baltimore, so guess we will have to wait to see them in Eau Claire in a couple years.
We were so grateful for these two, Raeyane and Bill, who are from Annapolis. We didn’t know these two Looper Planners but got connected with them through a mutual friend, Debbie Brown. They were so kind to pick up the oil at the auto store that we needed to do an oil change for Flying Colors. We spent the afternoon with them, listening and sharing about the Loop, their boat, and the plans they have for their journey next year. They aren’t official Harbor Hosts, but with their willingness to serve, they sure could be. Many thanks, Raeyane and Bill.
We have “leap-frogged” with these two more than any other Loopers. We first met them on the Ten-Tom River back on Oct. 10, then we saw them in December in St. Pete Beach, then in Key West, and now here. You just never know when and where you’ll see friends along the Loop, and it’s so much fun when you do.

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