Naval Academy
Near Washington DC, in Annapolis, Maryland is the Naval Academy. Since it was sunny and 80 degrees, this tour was much more enjoyable than the one at West Point in the pouring rain. However we had to walk this one.
Just like West Point, they are hung up on the Army/Navy football game.
To get into either the Naval Academy or West Point, you have to be recommended by a Senator, be between the ages of 17-23, have excellent grades, not married, not pregnant, and have no dependents. Because of the number of stair steps we encountered, someone in the group asked if anyone was admitted with disabilities and were given a flat no as the answer.
When our tour ended, it was lunch time, and all the students got into formation in front of their dormitory and performed some kind of procession with lots of shouting between the different sides. Afterwards, they marched up the steps into their dorm and dining hall.
Then we went into Annapolis and had lunch at the Tavern.
Fort McHenry
Fort McHenry is on a little peninsula in the Chesapeake Bay Harbor. It’s claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of “The Star Spangled Banner”. The lyrics were written by Francis Scott Key, inspired by the American flag defiantly flying over the fort after an intense British naval bombardment during the War of 1812.
I do hope we get on to some art and nature – all this history is boggling my mind.
Annapolis & the Naval Academy were always my favorite part of DC!