18-19 May, 2021. Annapolis enjoyable, expensive and fun

 

St Mary’s high school

Our first day ashore we walked a bit to the Annapolis Visitor Center which was not opened yet, so we milled around for a while on a clear sky morning.  Our intent was to take a trolly tour to see the sights, letting someone else do the driving and talking.  No surprise really, but currently due to COVID, the trolly tours only operate Thursday thru Sunday.  Then we checked on a electric car personalized tour and the operator told us via the phone that they might not have any drivers and would call us back.  A couple of hours we were called back; still no drivers.  Maps in hand from the volunteers at the visitor center we decided just to find stuff ourselves.  We walked and looked at the architecture, various styles, historical homes have color coded placards identifiable by a chart we picked up at the visitor center.

Annapolis vernacular (1850s-1910)

 We even rode the free connector bus which connects outlying parking garages.  Draconian COVID procedures would not allow us to set together and the driver was strict.  On top of that the window were so shaded we could not see out.  After a while the driver asked us where we were going as we had not gotten off.  We said we were just tourist and riding the free connector bus to see the sights he shook his head.  Returning to where we started, we got off.  

Following along on google maps

Next, we hiked 0.8 mile to a local grocery.  It was so expensive, but we got deli sandwiches and cold drinks and sat on a shady grassy slope and had lunch.  Traffic passing probably thought we were Medicare homeless as we had backpacks too.  

Ancient cemetery we walked through 

Returning back to Serenity, we gathered our laundry and shower stuff and dinghied over to the city docks.  Doing our business and waiting for the laundry we people and boat watched.  Back to Serenity, left overs for supper and continued watching the boating traffic pass.

Serenity on mooring ball #51

Dinghy dock end of Shipwright Ave

Day two, headed to shore once again.   We set out on a two mile walk into Eastport to a West Marine and a Giant supermarket.  I was not content with the bike cable lock we have been using to secure the dinghy.  At the boat store I got 10 feet of 5/32 stainless steel cable and swedge fittings and made loops at each end. Walking another 1/2 mile we arrived at the grocery store.  Shopping complete, an adventure cannot be considered complete without trying public transportation.  Could have UBER but… armed with the bus schedule and a bus stop clearly visible at the grocery store entrance we waited.  Not long the brown bus arrived, purchasing old people discount tickets with transfer for $4.00 total we were loaded on headed back to Annapolis.  But first, we had to transfer to the green bus that was waiting at the transfer station as we arrived on the brown bus.  Too easy.  Moving again, it was not long when we rang the bell and got off  at the stop we wanted. Easy-peasy.  A short walk around and through the St Mary’s HS parking lot we joined Shipwright Ave and arrived at the dinghy dock.  Back aboard Serenity we put away the groceries, lunched and rested a bit.  Later this afternoon we returned to the city dock, secured the dinghy and walked around the hustle and bustle of the Annapolis waterfront.  

Main St from the waterfront

Another shower then off in the dinghy.  A bouncing return as the harbor was alive with all kinds of boats; power, sail and taxies.  Wednesday evenings must be the mid-week sailing hump day.  Harbor full of every size sail boat.  Kaos the dinghy was secured for tomorrow’s planned long cruise day.  The nights in the mooring field have been quiet, peaceful and safe.  It is time to get moving, miles of the Chesapeake bay remain ahead.