Days 55-59 St. Michael’s, MD to Annapolis,MD

Tuesday-Saturday May 20-24, 2025

We ended up leaving for Annapolis a day earlier than planned, thanks to the forecast calling for rain and strong winds. The trip started off quietly enough—calm seas, easy cruising—but things definitely picked up as we neared Annapolis. We’d heard the Blue Angels were scheduled to practice on Tuesday and perform on Wednesday, but wow—nothing could’ve prepared us for the chaos on the water!

Boats were everywhere—racing full throttle, jockeying for the perfect anchor spot like it was a regatta. It felt like we’d motored straight into a floating tailgate party. Then, out of nowhere—zoom!—the Blue Angels roared overhead, streaking across the sky as we made our way in. It was loud, fast, and completely electrifying.

As we entered the harbor, we were greeted by an incredible sight: hundreds of boats anchored along both sides, all waiting for the aerial spectacle to begin. We navigated carefully through the crowded harbor to our designated slip, where we’ll be docked for the next four nights. Once tied up and settled, it was time for a well-earned lunch, a celebratory adult beverage, and a prime seat in our bow chairs—ready to take in the show from the best spot in town: our own boat.

And what a show it was! The Blue Angels were absolutely incredible—thundering overhead in tight formation, impossibly close, and leaving trails of excitement in their wake. We had no idea when we first planned this trip that it would coincide with USNA Commissioning Week. Turns out, Tuesday was just the practice run. The main show was Wednesday, and they’ll do a final flyover for graduation day on Friday. Talk about perfect timing!

Wednesday was a very rainy, windy day — perfect for tackling laundry and boat projects (have I mentioned there are always projects on a boat?).

We did get a break in the afternoon and took the opportunity to stroll through Old Town. It’s incredibly quaint, full of charming shops and — thanks to graduation weekend — absolutely packed with people.

There was a buzz that the Blue Angels might try for a bit of a show, but the weather just wasn’t on their side. Still, crowds gathered along the streets and filled the balconies, hopeful. Unfortunately, the clouds kept dropping lower and lower until the show was finally called off.

We felt very lucky to have arrived a day early and caught their practice run — LUCKY!

Thursday turned into something truly special. We had pre-purchased a self-guided walking tour of the Naval Academy Yard, but plans changed in the best possible way—an old coworker reached out to let us know his son, Josh, had just finished his first year at the Academy and was still on campus. He offered to show us around, and of course, we took him up on it!

Josh was a fantastic guide. He brought us through Dahlgren Hall, a hub for many midshipmen activities, and then to the breathtaking main chapel, where we also visited the crypt of John Paul Jones. Next was Preble Hall, home to the Naval Academy Museum. The first floor showcased naval history, while the second floor displayed an impressive collection of antique ship models—including some carved from human bone by French POWs in the early 1800s. A fascinating (and slightly eerie) piece of history!

We were also awed by Bancroft Hall—the largest dormitory in the U.S., housing 4,400 midshipmen with nearly 5 miles of corridors and 1,700 rooms. It’s truly a city unto itself.

While exploring, we were lucky to catch parts of the Color Parade, a formal event all midshipmen participate in—except Josh, who had a broken wrist and was excused. The highlight was seeing the seniors carry out their tradition of running to take a celebratory swim in the fountain at the parade’s end. What a joyful, spirited moment!

It was an unforgettable tour—made even more meaningful thanks to Josh’s insights and stories.

On Friday, we met up with our friends Bonnie and Louis and took a self-guided tour of the Maryland State House in Annapolis. It’s the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use and features the largest wooden dome of its kind in the United States—remarkably built without nails. For a brief period from 1783 to 1784, it even served as the U.S. Capitol. One of the most historic moments that took place there was General George Washington’s resignation as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. The building is filled with fascinating artifacts and artwork, making it a true treasure trove of American history.

Saturday we were planning to move on but the high winds changed that for us. We decided to leave the marina and grab a mooring ball for a night. We just relaxed on the boat, did a few chores and had what loopers call “docktails” with many other loopers that were here that evening. Tomorrow we are headed to Rock Hall, MD.