Annapolis, Maryland

We have been planning to make a trip to Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay coastline (Maryland western shore) ever since I arrived in the US.  Annapolis is the historic state capital of Maryland and is characterised by its amazing variety of historic houses - some very colourful.   The house above is painted in the colours of the Maryland flag.

Annapolis is also famous as the home of the United States Naval Academy - with some four thousand midshipmen in training - three of whom were kind enough to walk into my picture!

Today wasn't necessarily the ideal weather for the trip but at least it wasn't busy!  In the summer it is a very popular place.  It was cold as well as wet and so we initially had a very quick look at the harbour..

We stopped to have a look at a lovely sculpture featuring Alex Haley, author of Roots, between the harbour and market square.

We then took refuge in the warmth of 'Buddy's Crab and Ribs' restaurant on the waterfront.  A number of different sizes of crab were on offer..

As well as a variety of other seafood..

After lunch we explored some of the historic downtown area, starting with the State House.

Walking around we saw a wide variety of different styles of historic house, spanning three centuries. Some were very large and elegant and others simply very colourful (known as the 'Annapolis Vernacular' style).

This house had a great porch - note the chairs, flag and brush by the door!

We walked along to see the chapel of the Naval Academy which was an imposing building..

At the end of the afternoon we moved on to Chesapeake Beach, just in time to take a sunset view over Chesapeake Bay from the window of our hotel room..