MARYLAND

Heading southward from family towards home always takes us through Maryland.  (For a few years, home WAS Maryland!)  This time, however, we made an intentional stop at Annapolis.  Eagle Boy was interested in visiting the U.S. Naval Academy.

We enjoyed our road trip to Annapolis and experienced  a new bridge that we haven't crossed before.    This most amazing one was 4.3 miles long!  

(Can you see it turn to the right?)

When we FINALLY hit land again, we discovered Sandy Point State Park that has an amazing view of the loooooonnnnng bridge!  We didn't have time to stop and check it out, but we made a note to visit when we vacation longer in Maryland.


We spent two days exploring the "yard" (campus) of the Naval Academy.  We attended Mass on Sunday, had lunch, walked around, and visited the store.  On Monday we took an official tour after spending an hour being "briefed" with several other families on what happens at the Naval Academy and what prospective "midshipmen" should focus on in high school to successfully prepare for acceptance into the Academy.  It was a very enlightening visit.

 

 

The iconic chapel where all denominations worship:

 

INSIDE CHAPEL

 

 

 

 

In the basement of the chapel lies the Father of the U.S. Navy,
 John Paul Jones:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While touring both days, we saw the midshipmen busy with their summer training.

The midshipmen in formation to march to their meals:

 

The midshipmen en route to another activity: 

 

We even saw them doing Physical Training exercises at the campground where we stayed on base! 

 

Eagle Boy plans to be there in five years and now knows after listening to the briefing all the hard work it entails to not only BE there but also to be ACCEPTED there! ;-)

Our time at USNA ended with a visit to the museum. 

 

 

This visit was not only inspiring for Eagle Boy but also reminiscent for Mechanic Man, who devoted twenty years of service to our country with the U.S. Navy. 

Go, Navy!