Annapolis Travel Tips and a RECIPE
Posted in Food, Historic, Restaurant, Travel | By Roger Gillespie | Tags: Food, Historic, Recipe, US Domestic Travel
Continuing our full week of recipes, we head to Annapolis in the Mid Atlantic US —
Even if you don’t play football, or even care about the game, you have probably heard of the annual Army-Navy football game, an intense rivalry that goes back to 1890. It might be even more intense as the location of the United States Naval Academy is actually founded on the site of an Army fort in 1845!
But don’t expect to see the famous game on campus, as only two of the first four games were ever played in Annapolis. Today the majority are played in Philadelphia (half way between Annapolis and West Point …).
But Annapolis, Maryland is more than just a military school for officers. This is a city founded in 1649 that saw the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson pounding the pavement, as this was once the Capital of the United States (for one year). It is possible to see the original homes of four of the Maryland signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Annapolis is home to the third oldest institution of higher learning in the United State after Harvard in Massachusetts, and The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA. Education is a focus for Annapolis as St. John’s College was founded in 1696, although under another name.
This is most definitely the Sailing Capital of the World with boats everywhere (except on the streets although I am sure someone has probably tried)
Annapolis Harbor
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
Just north of downtown is the 238-acre campus of the Naval Academy, which is also a National Historic Site. You could join the million-plus visitors who visit each year or try applying for one of 1200 openings in the freshman class (you’ll only have a little over 10,000 others to compete with). If you make it through the four-year course, you are required to serve a minimum of five years as either a Navy or Marine officer.
The Main Chapel holds the remains of John Paul Jones, the United States’ first naval hero, and Bancroft Hall is one of the world’s largest dormitories.
Regular visiting hours are 9 am to 5 pm daily with access to the Visitors Center at Gate 1 at the end of King George Street.
Due to heightened security regulations, access to the Academy grounds is limited. If you are over the age of 16 you MUST have a valid picture ID
Tours of the grounds are given throughout the year. It is possible to see the brigade hold their lunchtime formation weekdays, in Tecumseh Court in front of Bancroft Hall.
Tour fees –
Adults – $9.00
Seniors (62+) – $8.00
Children (1st-12th grades) – $7.00
Pre-School – Free
http://www.usna.edu/NAFPRODV/VC/
KEEP READING FOR MORE – AND A RECIPE
Annapolis Street
MIDDLETON TAVERN
If you’re looking for lunch, you might want to try the place where George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin hung out. You might want to try Middleton Tavern at 2 Market Space. Since its establishment in 1750, this is the second oldest continuously operating tavern in the United States.
Located within feet of the harbor, the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay, it’s a good bet that seafood ranks high on the menu for both lunch and dinner.
Jumbo lump crab cakes (see RECIPE following) – Pan Seared Rockfish – Whole Main Lobster – Seafood Crepe – Lobster Ravioli, well, you get the idea. And, did I mention the Oyster Bar?
There’s even a second floor, although there is no elevator.
HOURS: Sunday-Thursday 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday until midnight.
HANDICAPPED ACCESS: Restrooms on second floor, no elevator
http://www.middletontavern.com/
RECIPE -
MARYLAND CRAB CAKES
1 -lb. of crabmeat – frozen, cooked, or canned (cleaned of cartilage)
1/3 cup green onions, minced (scallions)
2 tsp Dijon-style mustard or 1 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or 1 tsp hot sauce
2 TBS mayonnaise or salad dressing
1 egg beaten with 1 TBS cream
1/4 cup fine bread or cracker crumbs
Separate:
1 cup dried bread crumbs
Vegetable oil, olive oil
Lemon wedges, optional
Tartar sauce, optional
Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients, except for the 1 cup of bread crumbs and the oil
2. Form the crab mixture into 8 cakes.
3. Heat the oil in a heavy skillet to medium high,
4. Coat the crab cakes with the bread crumbs.
5. Fry the cakes in the hot oil, 3 minutes a side until golden brown.
6. Drain on absorbent paper.
7. Serve with the lemon wedges or tartar sauce, if desired.
Serves 4 for main course or 8 as appetizer.
ENJOY!
MORE INFORMATION
TOMORROW: NEW ORLEANS – or N’Awlins’
Tags: Food, Historic, Recipe, US Domestic Travel