Don't Give Up the Ship

Columbus Day! To celebrate the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the American continent in October of 1492, Kim, Breanna and I explored some of the sites of old town Annapolis! The weather was perfect for stopping in some of the shops of old town Annapolis where it was apparent that crab is an entree that the town prides itself in... and Skeens, as you may know have a great appreciation for this kind of pride :) ... Christmas cannot come soon enough.

There was a big boat show going on while we walked the streets, so the straight was particularly crowded with ships sail boats of all sizes.
We went to the Naval Academy and enjoyed learning about the history of the academy and felt the pride that comes with the school's history of academic and national defense training traditions.


There are many strengths to the school including the atmosphere of focused study and training that works to help young students leave the school with greater abilities and confidence that benefit the country and world.
Situated on the Severn River that runs into Chesapeake Bay, the campus is surrounded by water and is nicely maintained.


Kim server her mission in Maryland and had memories of a preparation day at the Naval Academy. The sisters apparently tried to climb and take a picture on this Herndon monument. Her challenge to Bree and I to climb it drove us to prove ourselves (we weren't in skirts, so the task was much more simple).



Inside and outside many of the buildings on our walking tour were statues, pictures, and artifacts from various wars in which the US was involved. The size of these torpedoes from WWII was incredible!
One of the traditions at the schools happens daily at 12:05pm when all of the shipmates come running from all parts of campus to the courtyard outside the Bancroft Memorial Hall and line up for the lunch hour in their white uniforms. We were sadly disappointed as we waited by the courtyard only to realize that this would not happen on this particular day because of the holiday. Perhaps we'll have to return! It was a great town and one I would enjoy again... "Don't Give Up the Ship!" (James Lawerance, 1913).