Maryland

As we moved up towards the Northeastern region of the United States, I had no idea what to expect from Maryland. The only thing I really knew about this small east coast state, was that their flag was very bright, and their football team has a kicker that dabs and celebrates on the regular after kicking field goals. Driving up from the capitol of our country into Annapolis was like entering an era of times past. Brick buildings flowed down the old, cobblestone and brick street that slowly poured throughout a red, fall-struck forest. The city was as soothing as it was captivating. Once we parked near the Annapolis Bay and set foot towards the town, we were both taken aback by how beautiful and rustic this old town was.

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The small town square was abundant with life, but not in an overwhelming way. As we walked through the ivy overgrown townhouses towards the capitol building, we were surprised see about as many Naval Academy cadets as there were wiener dogs dressed up (there is a connection there somehow). After we made it through security and into the main building, McKayla and I marveled at the royal feel of the interior. Marble flooring filled the entirety of the building giving root to tall pillars of white stone. The architecture was incredible, and it looked to be the original. We made our way into a small room to the right, with a statue of the father of our country, George Washington, erected in the middle. The very room we were standing in was the courtroom in which the former Commander in Chief relinquished full power of the country’s armed forces over to congress. This was unprecedented at the time, and was noted as the first time a victorious general had given control of the military to the current governing power.

The exhibit noted how President Washington gave up the power having complete faith in Congress at the time. During his final speech, good Georgie had to support the single leaf letter in which he wrote his speech upon with two hands. Those in the room recorded that his voice broke and wavered as he spoke of his officers that he served. For me, that small portion of history was incredible to me. We, or should I say I, always perceive historical figures as something more of a figurehead than as a human being. These stone-cold, iconic, faces that grace our currency, our stamps, and are plastered in textbooks everywhere often fail to convey the true aura of who they represent. George Washington was a small town farmer who rose to the occasion to help guide a young colony into the becomings of the greatest nation in history, and to lead a second hand army into an uphill battle and emerge victorious takes some passion. I was thankful my perception of Washington was changed to notice some of that passion through a small room full of history during his final moments as a general.

Of course, everyone knows Annapolis as the city where the Naval Academy resides. I’ll make this review of the holy squid school short and sweet.

The campus was beautiful

They make their students wear ridiculous ROTC uniforms out in town (Pensacola alum wya)

Take one ride through the campus and see where the majority of the Navy’s budget is going

*HINT* it’s not going to the Marine Corps

We drove from the Naval Academy straight to Baltimore and parked good ol’ Meredith before setting foot towards the Chesapeake. Tourists littered the edges of the bay that was giving home to various barges, pirate ships and docked cruises. A man dancing to “Get Silly” was ‘getting silly’ to the mid 2000’s hit on repeat, and a dance team of girls aged 2-6 stomped along to a hip hop remix of the BEANS GREENS POTATOES TOMATOES viral video as their moms cheered them on in a circle. Yeah, it was as interesting as it sounded.

Atop the city is Fort McHenry; a massive hill with a picturesque view of the bay and the rest of the city. Fort McHenry is thought of to be the birthplace of The Star Spangled Banner, as the author, Francis Scott Key, wrote The Defence of Fort M’Henry. Only the first verse of his poem made the cut, but it was inspired by what he witnessed that night, aboard an American truce ship in Chesapeake Bay. The view was breathtaking, and I could only imagine what it looked like while the British were bombing it for all it was worth, to no avail. That our flag was still there…

We departed Baltimore and made our way towards Susquehanna State Park. This park was teeming with wildlife-I even had to slam on the brakes a few times to avoid colliding with some Whitetail that were much larger than the deer we have grown accustom to in Beaufort. The trails were lengthy and shadowed by towering temperate trees of various families. We crossed paths with a retired Recon Marine, who gave us the local scoop on what trail to walk, as well as telling us how easy being a Green Beret was compared to being a Marine. He had transferred branches once the Corps said they were through with him, and he told of his time as a hoo-ah as, “much easier, and very cushy” (his words not mine). We began the short 5 mile hike together and took in the MD state park in all its splendor. Occasionally, we would walk by signs for Big Tree Champions. A Big Tree Champion is certified by the state of MD as the largest tree of its kind.

They aren’t kidding

The first champion we came across was massive. The Great White Oak we decided to give the title Sir William, had spindly branches that jutted through the calm forest sky and towered over the foliage beneath it in a kingly fashion. This powerful figure, worn with scars of victorious battle with lightning and wind, made his claim and made his presence known to all that lay eyes on him. McKayla tackled him and kissed the tree, telling him that he did a good job growing while giving him a big hug. We came across a few other champions, but no other stood out quite like Sir William.

Before we went to MD, I was really excited to visit Old Line: a distillery that makes incredible whiskey. They are based out of Baltimore and they have daily tastings of their various spirits and we WOULD have gone if they were open… But they weren’t. I was highly disappointed, and if it wasn’t for the amazing seafood that this wonderful state treated us with, I would have never let that go. As we headed out of the Old Line(less) State for the day, we diverted shortly to the small town of North East to sample some of MD’s famous crab cuisine. We stopped at a local favorite with the name Woody’s Crab Shack. I am not exaggerating when I say that the crab cakes we ate there were the greatest use of an aquatic animal since Dr. Evil put laser-beams on sharks. They were incredible, in every sense of the word! Topped off with some Old Bay, they were a perfect end to a state that we will definitely make our way through again one day. We ventured our way toward Delaware, the First State, next-feeling full of crab and content with our days travels. After shacking up in the Mer’ machine for the night, we exhaustedly said goodbye to the Crabcake state and knocked out.

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-Daniel-