Best Western Annapolis Riva Rd

Randal and I spent the day strolling around Annapolis.  We had no particular plan other than to visit the Annapolis Book Store, walk around, eat some lunch, walk around and that’s about it.  We’d done the walking tour in past visits and we were between boat shows so there was no place we had to be or see or do.  Just strolling around Annapolis on a beautiful October day was enough.

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How could anyone not like Annapolis?  There’s history, bookstores, lots of places to eat, cute little shops for window shopping or buying if you can’t resist.  (We resisted, because even though I really liked the $35 floppy felt hat, I know it would be lost in no time flat. The lovely $200 version wasn’t ever a consideration!)  During past visits we’d done the walking tour so skipped it this visit and just went out wandering.  It was such a lovely day just to be outside. http://www.annapolis.com/?ref=visitannapolis.com

The Maryland State House can be seen from anywhere so it’s pretty hard to get lost.

Leaving the parking garage and Visitor Center and heading down towards the waterfront.

Walking along funky Main Street where you always know where you are because the State House is always there as a landmark.

You can also take the trolley though we have always just parked at the visitor center and then walked.

Shops across from the waterfront.

Lots of ice cream, fudge, souvenirs, restaurants and fun in every direction.

Alex Haley reading Roots. Boat show banners block the entire waterfront which is really not so very attractive.

“City Docks has been the center of Annapolis’ maritime life for more than 300 years.  At the head of the Dock, a memorial commemorates the 1767 arrival of Kunta Kinte, and African slave immortalized by descendant Alex Haley in the book and television series Roots.”  from the Annapolis Magazine.

Randal and I have been to both the sailboat and powerboat shows when we were deciding what type of boat we wanted.   The 2012 sailboat show was last weekend and the powerboat show is next weekend.

The Annapolis Bookstore  www.annapolisbookstore.com

Every time we come to Annapolis we visit this wonderful bookstore.  Now it includes a coffee area and tables where locals meet for knitting, discussions, classwork, etc.  It’s great and I want that bookstore near where I finally live.  Saint John’s College, where the entire curriculum is based on the Great Books and discussions from the readings, is based just down the street.

I really want to read The End of Your Life Book Club which my library at home owns.  I just read the few pages available on Amazon’s site which led me to Diana Athill’s book  Instead of a Letter which I also want to read and I think is available at the Salem Public Library.  If not I’ll buy them before we leave for Turkey.  There is a branch of the Anne Arundel Public Library in Annapolis but not in the historic area so we’ve not been there any time in all of our visits.

More proof that the book format isn’t dead or even dying.

Row houses mix with small shops:  Capital Teas http://www.capitalteas.com/default.asp

I love these row houses and narrow streets and the feeling of neighborhood they must foster.

Building being renovated across from Waterfront  Dock: notice  Capital Tea s off to the left in the photo.

Chick and Ruth’s Delly on Main Street.

Our usual lunch spot where a booth is saved for the Governor when the legislator is in session.  One year during the boat show Randal and I stayed in the Scotlaur Inn.  www.ChickandRuths.com and www.Scotlaurinn.com

VIN909 – http://www.vin909.com/ “Just in case you get this while you’re still in Annapolis! You need to get Vin 909 – a great casual restaurant with delicious food -great ”gourmet’ pizza.”   This is from my friend Joesephine.  We didn’t make it there, but maybe next time or if you go…..

Annapolis is home to the United States Naval Academy and tours are available and worth taking.

The pedestrian entrance to the Naval Academy.

http://www.annapoliscollection.com/greg-harlin.cfm#

The Navy rules in Annapolis.

But there’s lots of other “stuff” too.  Lots of upscale shops.  Everything Irish is big in Annapolis too.

Fun window displays.   Marmaris has lots of rain in the winter; wouldn’t these boots be fun!

Lots of inspiration along the way; but I can’t remember seeing any political posters or yard signs, kind of a relief.

I know it’s tilted but my goal was to read the banner.

Curious and even more curious!

Front doors and front porches made me envious for life on land.

Lovely.

Tomorrow we head on up towards Massachusetts but not sure where we’ll spend the night.  Someplace new!