Captain's Choice blog: Annapolis, Arlington National Cemetery and Washington DC

We had wanted to stop in Annapolis on our way south in the fall but with very cool temperatures we decided to wait until we made the trip back north. Spring has definitely sprung in Annapolis, all the flowers are gorgeous, the trees have budded and we experienced a few days with above average temperatures.
Once again we are staying on the mooring balls, which keep us protected from the forecasted winds and are close to the dinghy docks that are at the end of all the streets. We love walking by the historic homes as we make our way into town, the colonial-era architecture is beautiful.
We still marvel at the thought that for $5 a person one way we can take the express bus to Washington DC. We decided this trip we would take in Arlington National Cemetery.

On Thursday we headed over to catch the bus at 6:45 am and were in Washington by 8:30, then we walked to the cemetery. I had been to Arlington as a young girl, Mark had never been. It is hard to put into words what the mind and heart feels when you visit the national cemetery. Honor...Remember...Explore are the words they use as you are welcomed into the cemetery. We boarded the trolley to get the lay of the land before we set out on our own to explore the beauty and vastness of this 624 acre shrine.
Our first stop was the resting place of John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and the eternal flame. Just a few months prior to Kennedy's death he was visiting Arlington and was at the Arlington House (currently under renovation) and exclaimed that it was so beautiful and that he could stay there forever. When he was shot several months later they were going to bury him at another location until his words had been remembered and he was laid to rest in Arlington. Unfortunately, forever came much sooner than he had ever expected.
Our second stop was The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where we watched the changing of the guard and the laying of the wreath by several school groups in attendance. There were a lot of school field trips to the cemetery and it was good to see how respectful these young adults were.
The tomb guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed - the 21-gun salute.
From there we walked around the grounds, which are absolutely beautiful with views of the Washington Monument, the Capital Building and Jefferson Memorial. Mark being a fan of history liked walking and looking at the tomb stones and receiting some history on the ones he had heard of. Visiting at this time was very special for me because a lifelong friends parents will be buried here. Pixie's father, 97, a WWII veteran died earlier this year. He and his wife have been approved for burial at Arlington later this year. Arlington averages 27 to 30 funerals including interments and inurnments, each weekday, and 6 to 8 services on Saturdays. As part of the 3 million people that visit Arlington on an annual basis we can't be more thankful to those that have served our country to provide the freedoms that we enjoy today. May God bless those that continue to serve our great nation.

With more tornado watchs (Friday) and high winds (Friday - Sunday) we continued our stay in Annapolis. What do you do on a Saturday when your winded in? Go to the spring Annapolis Sailboat show and look at boats. After that you look for the restaurant with the reputation for the best crab cakes in Annapolis. We found them, hands down, the very best are at the Boatyard Bar & Grill in Eastport!

Our current plan is to leave tomorrow (Monday)...head to Delaware City and hope for good weather to head down Delaware Bay Tuesday.