Annapolis Naval Academy

1. Chapel
2. Cadets marching to lunch
3. Of course, the stadium couldn't too close

August 7, Thursday: Visited the Naval Academy today. It was established in 1845 with some of the buildings on fill dirt in the bay. It sits on 338 acres and at this time it cannot be enlarged. It is banked on one side by the bay and surrounded by the city on the others. Found it interesting that all 4000 cadets live under one roof and they live there for all 4 years. Our tour started at 11am. Went through the building which houses the Olympic size pool & diving pool. The high dive platform is 3 meters high and every cadet must jump from the platform by the end of their second year. It simulates the jump from a ship. In case they have to abandon ship. If they are unable to accomplish this by their second year they are sent home. The wrestling room is on one side of the building. It was a good time to visit because it was Parent Week when the parents get to visit their sons or daughters for the first time since they arrived in May. Very impressive. The band was there playing for them to march into lunch. Just for this week. They are able to sit and feed all 4000 cadets in 30 minutes. Every cadet graduates with a BS in one of the 26 different majors they offer. They graduate in 4 years with no debt and they are also paid a monthly income while in school. Well, maybe not totally free. They do have to service 5 years in the Navy or Marines. Some very impressive buildings.


After the tour, we walked down to an old tavern dating back to 1797 to have lunch. The weather was in the low 90's with low humidity. We have enjoyed sitting out just about every evening.