Back in August we headed out to Annapolis for an overnight. The Boss was running a race and as is the typical case I went to cheer her on and enjoy an overnight away.
Annapolis is a beautiful old town on the water. The capital of Maryland and I believe at one point briefly the nation’s capital. I’ve actually been to Annapolis a number of times but my last visit was a decade ago. It isn’t bad for a day trip, although in the busy months it gets a bit crowded and crazy towards dinnertime and into the evening. This particular visit was no exception. We did some eating, walking around and seeing the sights, and a bit of relaxation (sitting and reading), and The Boss ran a race and I cheered her on.
Ostensibly we were there so Julia could run a race, not for a football game at the stadium but our first task on arrival was to visit the football stadium for packet pickup. They kept us away from the bowl as there was a closed practice but I found a way to sneak up into an events area to take a quick peak. I’ve never been there for football but back when I was running races I visited a couple of times for race expos.
We had planned to arrive early enough for lunch. I wanted to visit a place called The Choptank for dinner; it was booked full, solid, so we ended up at their upstairs outdoor bar for lunch instead.
As always we sought out good food such as this ceviche. I also had a crabcake – the first of third crab related meals in Annapolis. Choptank does a great job with crabcake.
We wandered past an antique shop which also had a bar with live music playing.
Past the State House, confirming it was the Capitol.
Great view from here.
When evening came we elected not to leave the Westin. It was quiet and we were able to have dinner in the hotel.
I had this amazing wedge salad with crab meat all over it.
The Boss was running the Annapolis Ten Miler so we were both up early. She had a mile jog to the stadium for the start. I had a half mile jog to cheer on the runners.
After the runners went through I was able to go past this wetland area on a shortcut to the old town area to watch the runners.
A few birds hanging out there in the water.
And here I am at mile 3 watching runners on Rowe Boulevard coming into old Annapolis.
More great views from the bridge here.
Mile five with runners heading over the bridge. I was not able to get here fast enough to cheer on the runners – I took a break from the action to visit a coffee shop. However, I did run up on the bridge here.
The bridge here is kind of a cruel joke. Uphill after mile 5, and then through the neighborhoods on the opposite side of the bridge (going up and then back down for part of it), and then at about mile 8 1/2 you come back up the bridge. Mind you, it’s August and the temperature is creeping upward at this point
But there are great views of the river and the bay from the bridge.
And then time to shower, check out of the hotel, and head to brunch.
More crab at brunch. Crab eggs Benedict. Yum. But that was enough.
Annapolis is a great town to run a race but many of the races are in the summer where even at dawn it can be hot and humid.