Loop Dreams

Loop Dreams

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Oct 10, 2012

We toured the United States Naval Academy which was established in 1845 at Fort Severn by Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft.  While walking the scenic grounds of the academy known as the Yard, the contrasts in the architecture reflect the long and distinguished history of the academy.
On this national historic site, the academy's tree-shaded monuments commemorate the courageous graduates and their contributions to the naval history.   At noon we caught the 4,000+ Brigade of  Midshipman meal formation which was a site.
Later that day we meet up with our Canadian friends, John & Rita who marched in with the Navy Brigade parade!  Great seeing them again!


United States Naval Academy
 The Navy was the first military branch that purchsed the Wright Brother's plane which a replica is displayed in
Dahlgren Hall where Midshipman social activities are often held.
Navy Chapel
Naval Chapel located on a high point of the Yard with a sweeping view of the Severn River, the chapel
was dedicated in 1908 and conducts Catholic and protestant services which are open to the public.  Beautiful stained glass windows were designed by Tiffany and Gotham Studios.

One of the greatest revolutionary war naval heroes, John Paul Jones is enshrined beneath the chapel.  His
remains, brought to America in 1905 after 113 years of obscurity in a Persian cemetery, were found by General Horace Porter, U. S. Ambassador to France.
Naval Academy Memorial Hall, the sign reads "Don't Give Up the Ship."
We saw a Navy Brigade dress parade of 4,000+ midshipman saluting the town of Annapolis with a 21 gun salute firing over the river. 
 

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Oct 9, Annapolis, MD

We traveled 27 miles from Baltimore to Annapolis and we were lucked out and was able to grab a mooring ball right by the boat show.  Ken timed it where it was the last day of the sail boat show and they were breaking down and getting ready for the power boat show.  There were a dozen mooring balls available when the day before we called and they reported they were all taken.
We caught a water taxi to the historic down town Annapolis.  Adorable town with tons of historic buildings.  Our first stop was the visitor center and we jumped on a trolley for a tour.


Overlooking the Severn River is the Blue Star Memorial which is a tribute to the Arrned Forces that have defended the
United State of America.
Maryland State House, built 1772.
Capitol of the United States November 26, 1783-August 13, 1784
In this State House, oldest in the Nation still in legislative use, General George Washington
resigned his commission before the Continental Congress December 23, 1783.  Here January 14, 1784, Congress
ratified the Treaty of Paris to end the Revolutionary War.
 
House of Representative
Historic Downtown Annapolis
 
 
 
 

 

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Oct 8, Heading to Annapolis

The weather has turned cold as we left Baltimore heading toward Annapolis.  The night before we could hear the fans cheering for the Baltimore Orioles, their first play off game facing the Yankees.  Our boat was only a few blocks away!  The game was delayed for several hours because of rain.  The Orioles lost their first play off game in 15 years.  Hopefully, they will do better the next game.  We loved Baltimore and the Inner Harbor was a delight with tons of activities within walking distance.  I would encourage any one looking for a good time to include Baltimore as one of your destinations!  It was truly a "Charm City."

Sea Gulls enjoying the bay!
Leaving Baltimore and enjoying the beautiful sailing ships.
Heading down the Patapsco River and passing by Fort McHenry for the last time.
We discovered the red white and blue buoy that marked the sport where Francis Scott Key
 penned the Star Spangled Banner.  Key was detained on a British warship at the time and was relieved when he
saw at the dawn's early light the American Flag still flying after being bombarded by the British for over 24 hours.
Fort Carroll is a 3+ acre artificial island and abandoned fort in the middle of the Patapsco River,
just south of Baltimore, MD.  It is named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737-1832), a
signer of the Declaration of Independence.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Oct 7, University Parkway Church of Christ

We went to the University Parkway Church of Christ where Ken's dad was a preacher at one time.
Rick Adsit, the current pastor, graciously offered to pick us up in order for us to go to worship.
Ken was about 6 years old when they left Baltimore and he had fun telling the preacher that he was born while his dad was giving a sermon one Sunday at this church.  Later that afternoon we visited the American Visionary Art Museum.  This unique nationally acclaimed museum is dedicated to artist without formal training, who create extraordinary works, arising from their own concepts of art.
The artwork here is wild, joyful, powerful, intense and most of all approachable. They just opened
a new display...


University Church of Christ
 
                                                                                    

                                                        
                                                                                   
Toothpick boat!
                                     
                                                                           
Bottle this one up!
Ken was such a good egg taking me to the art museum!  Hopefully, the bird stays in its nest!
Painted screens have been a fixture on Baltimore row houses since 1913, when William Oktavee
painted the first screen to advertise produce at his corner gocery in the Northeast section of the city
known as "Little Bohemia."  The screens were not just decorative--they afforded privacy and ventilation
to people sitting inside.
 
 

                       

Oct. 6, National Aquarium and Fells Point festival

The National Aquarium in Baltimore was a consistent source of wonder and amazement, from its tropical rain forest to its Animal Planet Australia exhibit.  Unfortunately, the dolphins were on strike.
We also visited the Top of the World Observation tower in the Baltimore World Trade Center and then off to Fells Point festival.  Another full day of touring.

Top of the World Observation tower.  Picture of the Inner Harbor where our boat is docked beyond the
Spirit tour boat.
Piece of the World Trade Center in remembrance of 9-11.


 For lunch we visited Little Italy and went to Amaccis for a wonderful treat.


The Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse is the oldest surviving screw-pile lighthouse on the
Chesapeake Bay.  It was constructed at the mouth of the Patapsco River in 1855 and marked the
shoal known as "Seven Foot Knoll" for 133 years.  Its beacon was first lit in January, 1856.


Oct 5, Trolley tour

Trolley tour


Baltimore Court House
Washington Monument in Baltimore



Polish monument

Oct 4, Maryland Science Center & a surprise

Went to the Maryland Science Center and enjoyed the morning.  That afternoon Ken surprised me with tickets to the musical Wicked.  It was playing at the Hippodrome, a historical theater which was
magnificent.

Maryland Science Center

Look who is weightless!!
Ken surprised me with tickets to Wicked a musical at the historic Hippodrome Theater!!!
It was a fabulous performance and I even saw him crack a smile!
 

Oct 3, Fort McHenry

October 3

We took the city bus to Fort McHenry which opened at 8AM.  We were hoping to be part of the flag ceremony at 8:30AM.  The museum was first class, the video made you burst with pirde and the Fort was a patriot's dream.

 
Barb assists the Ranger with lowering the night flag.
Ken assists with raising the day flag



 
Fort McHenry





 


 
 
 Ken cleaning the boat.