Annapolis, USNA and Deadmens Hollow

Our last day before heading home. We began the day by having breakfast with Dale’s cousin, Randi Anderson who lives in College Park very near to Cherry Hill Park, the campground we are at. This was a first meeting for Dale and Randi (& me) and it was very fun to get acquainted in person after we had exchanged so many emails and photos.

Next Dale/Di drove 26 miles to Annapolis, MD. Annapolis is like going back to the 18th century with colonial era buildings on every street – more surviving 18th century bldgs than any other US city. And the streets themselves are interesting since many of the streets and sidewalks are red brick instead of pavement. And the streets run at all angles – many “city blocks” are triangle in shape. Annapolis is the capitol of Maryland. The Maryland state house is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use; the only state capitol to have been a US capitol and features the largest wooden dome in the country built without nails. Geo Washington resigned his commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army here and in 1783-1784 the US Congress met and ratified the Treaty of Paris which formally ended the revolutionary war.

Of course Annapolis is most well known for the United States Naval Academy which was also fun to tour. 1200 new midshipmen arrive each July (from every state). We saw lots of them in full uniform on campus and in town (maybe because it was Sunday.)

Back to Cherry Hill where Deckers had Elk Stew ready for supper – yum! It was sad to think it was our last evening together. We played one hand of Hand/Foot before departing for the 7PM Deadmens Hollow Concert in Fairfax at the Jewish Community Center. You can find out more about them at http://www.deadmenshollow.com/ It was an evening of great bluegrass and folk music and a perfect way to celebrate our last evening together.