The Taylor House Annapolis

... pass like minutes and suddenly a children's choir sings, followed by the Marine Corps Band, then we see footage of the Presidential motorcade arriving, several dignitaries walking onto the platform and then the Obama girls, Sasha and Malia, with their grandma, then the lovely Michelle Obama with Jill Biden, several others and then the man of the day, Barack. He looks cool, or maybe nervous; I can't tell. People are screaming, smiling, some ...

... I hadn't done that since I was in my 20s and I don't think I ever want to again. So now that I've done the traveling, I know what to expect for my next trip to Europe. First, one week is not enough. Second, do not lay over in Paris. Third (and possibly the most important), never sit in the front seat with Italian cab drivers. Thanks for reading! I'll be sure to let you know when I plan my next adventure :)

... it is held and supported by the flying buttresses. Every stained glass window has a story depicted in it. Woodrow Wilson our 28th president is buried here, he is the only president buried in Washington DC. Ah ha you think I have forgotten history already don't you, just the other day I was visiting the grave of JFK right? Isn't he buried in DC...... NO! He is across the river in ...

We have had some great stops in Annapolis. Our first season on the Chesapeake. Our trip up to New England and then back to Norfolk all had very nice stops in the great place. Annapolis is a harbor side city with a colonial past. Not only is there great history to experience here but there is also the Naval Academy. We enjoy seeing the midshipmen, seeing them march and experiencing ...

... the next day. We greeted the new day with great excitement and anticipation. We had our maps in hand, a rough plan for the day worked out and comfortable walking shoes. We were ready for our little adventure and couldn't wait to get started!

Annapolis is a hard place not to like. Its a nautical city and built around boaters. While we found Newport RI to be terrific, we looked forward to a short stop in Annapolis on the way back. I don't think a boater can every say they have had enough of the place. Last night, we had anchored in a beautiful, quiet anchorage toward to top of Chesapeake ...

... in drinking a New Year's beer from a plastic cup, while Chelsea and I walked outside and listened for the fireworks from Times Square. We didn't miss the ball dropping either as the telly was on in the bar. The next morning, late, we packed up and began the three or four block walk to Pennsylvania Station to catch our train to Chicago. It was raining for the first time since Liverpool, and the streets were very quiet.

... done and the entire apartment deep cleaned, a rather difficult task when you don't have any soap or cleaning supplies! Nevertheless, we got up at 7:30 am to start our laundry and the cleaning process. Jess and I put on some Christmas music, and it set a cheery mood as we scrubbed the shower, vacuumed every surface, sorted through all the recycling, and made sure that we had all of our dishes. It was tough work, but definitely more manageable than cleaning my dorm room after nine months ...

... with her husband hysterically laughing at her! THEN, she said something and took my lemon off my plate, in an attempt to protect me from this horrible tasting thing! Well, if anyone knows me, they know that I eat lemons like they're apples! It took everything I had to act grateful! Instead of dwelling on my loss, I got out my nifty Lonely Planet Mandarin Phrasebook (thanks Arthur!) and told her it was ...

... the weather improved we enjoyed the Tobago Cays though the anchorage was overcrowded following the stormy weather. I will avoid those French charter cats from Switch at all costs! We spent our anniversary at Union Island. The Union Island boat boys now work the Tobago Cays anchorage offering to "help you" anchor or moor at Union. We were lucky in that the boat boy we "kindly refused" indicating we were cruisers kept all other boat boys away from us when we arrived at Union Island ...