Annapolis, MD

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When we woke up on Friday morning, there was a question of how we wanted to spend our final day of vacation before our 8:45 pm flight out of Baltimore. After a little discussion, we decided to leave Washington, DC and venture northeast to Maryland's capital city of Annapolis. Neither the hubby nor I had ever been there before.
 

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Before our visit, I knew very little about the small town situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River. The town is so charming, so quaint, that I do believe I could live a long and happy life strolling up and down the streets and enjoying the cool breezes off the Bay.

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The Maryland State House has the designation of being the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use. It was in that state house that General George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1783.

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Annapolis is also the home of the US Naval Academy, which was established in 1845. The campus, which occupies 388 acres along the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay, is home to about 4,400 midshipmen.

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The boys and I spent some time exploring the campus, in particular the US Naval Academy Museum and Chapel.

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The museum houses one of the largest collections of model warships, many carved from bone, that date back from the 17th century. It also home to one of the most extensive collections of naval artifacts in the country.

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The US Naval Academy Chapel, located in the center of the campus, is visible throughout most of Annapolis. Visitors can tour the final resting place of Lieutenant John Paul Jones located in the crypt beneath the chapel.
 

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After enjoying a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants, the boys and I embarked on a cruise of the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay. The weather was delightful... It was truly the perfect way to cap off our vacation.