To start this post, I want to note that I've had a love for Annapolis since my freshman year of college. No, I didn't fall in love with a Middie (a US Naval Midshipman for those who don't live here and aren't aware of the term). I didn't even watch the movie, Annapolis (which coincidentally didn't even take place in Annapolis...go figure). I did however walk into my college dorm, bright eyed and eager that Freshman Move-In Day to come face-to-face with James Franco's face staring at me.
Pre-creepy, chatting up an underage girl, James Franco. (James, by the way if you're wondering, I'm 26, so obviously too old for you...but call me anyway).
It turns out our RAs were allowed to pick their own move-in theme, and my RA had chosen "Hollywood Cinema" because every door down the hall was lined with movie posters. I just happened to luck out and get the hot guy movie poster. "Oh look! You got James Franco on your door!" my best friend, Amanda declared that day.
Before I started writing this I went back through all my photos trying to find a picture of the poster my freshman year. Do you know that in the four years that thing hung in my various dorm rooms, I only have one semi-clear picture of it? Well I do. And as you can see from my Christmas decorating my sophomore year of college, there it is. I still have it, in case you're wondering. The back is covered in duct tape and there are a few rips from where I couldn't pry it off my walls at the end of the year, but it's still in my college box. I felt like it was some sort of good luck symbol when I moved in so good luck or not, it traveled with me from one building to the other.
Also if you're wondering, yes I probably set clear fire hazards every year at Christmas in my dorms...but c'est la vie.
Anyway back to the real point of this story: Annapolis. Once I moved here, I quickly set out to see what kind of day trips I could take when I had my off time. I found out after scouring Google Maps that I'm only 50 minutes away from Annapolis. The day I realized this, I hopped in my car and took off - no really I did. We're lucky I was properly dressed.
Fifty-some minutes later, this was my view...have you gathered yet the gushy-ness that's about to happen?
Because Annapolis is too amazingly wonderful to see all of it the first, or second, or third time, I'm going to start this love letter part 1 with one of the top attractions - the U.S. Naval Academy.
Just in case you weren't awed enough of the ceiling in the above picture - I'm obsessed with this room.
My mom and I loved being plebes during our visit.
The famed Bancroft Hall. This is the main dormitory for the students, and, well it's amazing. It's also known to make appearances in the USNA Spirit Spot videos. See here/here/here/and here. They really know how to dance...and rewrite songs. I thought y'all were studying to be lean, mean fighting machines...no I'm just kidding, please don't hurt me.
Inside the hall is this gorgeous room where there's a replica of the famous "Don't Give Up the Ship" which was the famous dying words of Captain James Lawrence during the War of 1812. They're kind of obsessed with that war around here.
Just in case you weren't awed enough of the ceiling in the above picture - I'm obsessed with this room.
I love the thought of knocking on these doors when they're closed. Or opening these doors when they're closed...Oh and I sunk your battleship!
I love the USNA so much I like to bring people to see it when they visit me.
My mom and I loved being plebes during our visit.
And then my best friend and I had a blast posing with our actual high school Alma Mater. As my favorite football cheer goes "T-E-C-U-M-S-E-H LET'S GO!" USNA, feel free to claim that one if you need it for any reason...it's a real original.
I think I'll conclude part one's letter to Annapolis by quoting fallen Navy SEAL Shane Patton from the Frogman Ballad, "Anything in life worth doing, is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards." The USNA took that to heart, and it's glorious.
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