April 20th- a date that many individuals my age reserve for smoking with friends and having a good time. I fully support others having their good time, but my version is a bit different. I decided it would be fun to adventure down to Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, for a day trip. My friend Corey and I set out at about 8:30 AM for our first stop: coffee. To keep us going through the day, we went to a Dunkin near my house for our first dose of expresso.
We made it into the city around 10 and decided we needed to stop by another coffee shop. Bean Rush Cafe was our first of many stops for coffee/a quick snack that day. Bean Rush, like many other cafés, has a very welcoming, cozy atmosphere. We set our game plan for the day there and headed back out after a quick snack. Corey introduced to me this app called “AllTrails” which I’d heard of before but never really used, as a way to find a fun hiking/walking spot outside Annapolis for the afternoon.
Making our Way through Downtown
Our first stop was exploring downtown Annapolis, which was full of fun alleyways, cobblestone streets, and hidden taverns. We made our way over to the Banneker-Douglass Museum but quickly learned that it was closed due to COVID. Dejected, we decided to continue going in and out of cute shops and stopped for a shot of espresso at Cafe Olé to keep us going.
After making our way through downtown to the docks, we came across some ducks. Ducks are honestly my favorite animal of all time. No cap. They’re just too cute and funny I get so much joy from watching them. We decided to sit down and watch as 6 male ducks swam around one female one, quacking incessantly. One duck, in particular, seemed to be following her more closely than the others, and quacking the loudest. She seemed to be enjoying it, as if she was teasing them.
The Ferry Tour
20 minutes later, we decided that our time might be better well spent elsewhere (debatably so). We ventured to the other side of the docks, coming across a ferry tour of the Chesapeake Bay. $20 per person wasn’t too harsh, and the boat was leaving soon, so we quickly paid and boarded. While I made a quick pitstop to the bathroom, Corey found a spot on the top deck. Upon my joining, we asked one of the deck-hands the best spot to sit. His reply was simple: right up in front of the cabin. We made our way to the best and chilliest seat in the house and soaked in the spring bay air.
While there, the deckhand joined us and we had the wonderful opportunity to chat with him. He told us about how he came to work for the ferry, and what he recommended we check out around Annapolis. His top recommendation for food was The BoatYard Bar and Grill, a seafood place about a 15-minute walk away.
The BoatYard (Minus the boats)
As soon as Corey and I finished up the ferry ride, we made our way there. To say that the BoatYard was delightfully tasty would be an understatement. Neither Corey nor myself had ever had Oyster before, so we decided to take a risk with that. I sincerely wish I had a video of Corey’s response to the Oyster because he was NOT a fan. To be completely honest with you I think he was a bit traumatized from it. Personally, I enjoyed the oyster but that was just me I guess. I got the open-faced crab dip “samich” and Corey got a good old grilled chicken sandwich. When I tell you I’ve never eaten something so heavenly in my LIFE I mean it. 10/10 would go back there again.
After finishing up, we had time to kill, so we wandered back to downtown Annapolis. There were plenty of shops to check out. There was a bookstore that had books from the 1800s, and an art gallery selling paintings for thousands of dollars. Don’t worry there were a few stores that were a bit more affordable. Maybe one day when I’m rich and famous I’ll return for an original piece or the first edition of a classic book. Until then I’ll peruse.
Time To Hike
Our deckhand had also recommended we check out either Greenbury or Tom’s Point for a hike. After some googling and Alltrails work, Corey and I set out for Tom’s Point. We didn’t quite do enough research though. He and I learned very quickly that you need a permit to go into the park. Between that, the state only giving out SEVENTY-FIVE passes per month to park there, and the potential of getting locked in the park, Corey and I decided to go to Quiet Waters Park instead. We did, however, get some great pictures of me trying to climb this random dinosaur statue in Tom’s Point before we left. Please, enjoy.
Quiet Waters and Good Dogs
Quiet Waters Park is only about a 15-minute car ride from the downtown area of Annapolis. I wish we had more time at Quiet Waters, honestly. If I ever spend any significant amount of time in Annapolis I want to spend a good day there, exploring the trails. Perhaps the biggest plus of the park is all the dogs. SO many people take their dogs on walks there.
Corey thought it would be a delightful idea to ask all the owners about their dogs and “rank” them. There were some GREAT dogs but our favorites were Sophie and Cleo. Sophie was an 8-year-old Golden who was the goodest girl. Her owner told us that Sophie’s vet regularly told her that if she found Sophie missing in the middle of the night it was because they had kidnapped her. Cleo was this medium-sized terrier who was terrified of humans because she used to be a bait dog in Mexico. Fortunately, she was rescued, but she still has the scars to prove it (poor baby). Overall, a 10/10 experience at Quiet Waters.
For dinner, we decided to drive back into Annapolis and went to Ram’s Head Tavern. Very tasty food but our poor server seemed to be struggling a lot in the beginning to get to us. She seemed slightly overwhelmed and probably new.
We interrupt your Reading for a brief rant
Slight tangent/tip as someone who worked in the service industry for a few years: 99 times out of 100, when your server seems to be taking a while, or struggling, or “not good,” there’s a good chance there’s some stuff going on behind the scenes. You’re only one table and they might have 7 or 8 other tables who are also running them back and forth to the kitchen. Maybe the kitchen is backed up and that’s why the food is taking a while. Perhaps they’re understaffed today. Maybe they have a bunch of To-Go orders going out at the same time. You never know.
Suppose they made a mistake with your food? We’re only human. It happens. Show a little grace to your servers. If you’re in the USA, TIP THEM. 20%. If they’re straight up rude to you (AND you haven’t been rude to them), then maybe tip a little less, but don’t be mean. You don’t know the stress they’re under unless you’ve served before. Try to see it from their point of view. Tangent over.
As Corey and I left Annapolis, we made our way over the Bay Bridge, with the sun setting behind us. It was a day well spent, with plenty of positive memories and a greater appreciation for the life around us.
Thanks for reading! Until next time,
-MAC
