Annapolis Maryland

In August Andrew and I took a day trip to Annapolis Maryland.  It was crab season in Maryland and I was determined to get a some crab. My old manager recmomended Buddy's in downtown Annapolis. We ended up getting there at their lunch buffet. They had a great selection of steamed seafood, and several crab entrees.

Buddy's Seafood in Annapolis

View from the restaurant of downtown

My first plate of food from the buffet- yummy!!

After Andrew and I pigged out at the buffet, I decided I wanted to see the naval academy. Andrew on the other hand wanted to drive around Annapolis.  He won and we ended up in a neighborhood sitting on a park bench watching the sail boats. It was a beautiful day so this was really relaxing.

Peaceful water while relaxing on a park bench in Annapolis

In the book that 'i am following it specifies seeing the naval academy. Typically you have to park and walk to the academy and then go through security to get in. Once you are on campus you can walk around some more and see all the buildings. Andrew and I took a different approach. We hoped on a boat that went into the Chesapeake and pointed everything out in its tour. Andrew and I were able to have a boat ride and see the naval academy without all the walking and waiting to get in.

A collection of boats seen, yes that is a pirate ship and
yes those kids are chilling on the sail

Highlights of the Naval Academy

Andrew insisted we get a picture of the entrance.

Andrew and I finished our day trip by hanging out in the downtown square. Annapolis is very quaint which I love. Some of the buildings in this area have been there over 100 years. You can imagine the history that has happened in this part of town. 

Annapolis is a beautiful town. Andrew and I plan on going back while we live on the East Coast. We are hoping to do a sail class to learn how to sail and also eat some more delicious seafood. 

Manassas Battlefield

It is Labor Day weekend which means Andrew and I have an extra day to explore our new home- Washington DC. Last month, we made the giant leap and moved 1200 miles away from our friends and family. Andrew, my husband, lived in DC in 2006 while still in college. I love traveling and adventures which Washington DC offers plenty of opportunities to do both so we decided to move here. Every weekend since we moved we have travelled to new places and started an adventure together.

This Labor Day weekend we are doing a stay-cation. Day 1 was spent cleaning and a trip to the Manassas Battlefield. This is located about 45 minutes away from DC in Virginia. This battlefield is famous for being the first battle of the civil war. Both sides felt that this battle would be quick and that the war would be over. This battle was won by the south but at a cost of 1000's of soldiers from both sides.

My history loving husband was so excited to get to visit this. I was just as excited because this was one of the places in the book I am following. Andrew and I started at the welcome center. The battlefield costs $3.00  a person. After paying our $6.00, Andrew and I watched the movie on the history of Manassas. I think this is best way to start tour. This way when you visit the sites, you will know what the significance of the buildings and places is. 

There was an option to take a guided tour, but Andrew and I decided to go at our own pace. We walked through the field cannons, stopped for a photo op and followed the worn down trail to to the different sites. Below are some photos from our trip.

Welcome Center 

Watch the movie to learn about this :)

Monument honoring those that died in the 1st battle

Posing next the cannon

Battlefield of Cannons 

This was a fun place to go on Saturday afternoon. I would recommend going when it is not too hot and to wear comfortable clothing since there is a lot of walking involved. 

NOLA- Pat O'Briens and Cafe du Monde

Well it has been far too long since I last blogged. Last fall, with my new job, double course load- time escaped and I was not able to blog. With the new year here, I decided to start back up again. Last July, yes 8 months ago, I went to New Orleans for a bachelorette party for a dear friend of mine from college. 

The party planner, Casey put us at the Marriott on Canal Street. This hotel was perfect for exploring Bourbon Street and the rest of the French Quarter.  In the book, 1000 Places to See Before you Die, the author talks about two places I visited: Café Du Monte and Pat O'Briens. On the last day of our trip, we went to Café Du Monte for breakfast. This is an icon in the French Quarter and must be visited each time you visit New Orleans.  Usually you have to wait in line for a table and then have a waiter wait on you. I have seen people wait in line for over an hour to be seated. The group of girls I was with, taught me a secret: there is window in the restaurant that you can order beignets and coffee to go. There was no line and we got our beignets immediately. We went and sat in the courtyard just outside the restaurant and enjoyed our beignets without waiting in line or on a waiter to bring them to us. If you see a line, I would suggest doing what we did. 

The other place we visited in the French Quarter was a bar just off of Bourbon Street. Pat O's as Mandell calls it is a classic bar that you just visit when travelling to NOLA. The waiters are right out of the 1920s with bow-ties and great service. We went at night, however their Bloody Marys are some of the best and perfect in the morning. The most famous drink to order here is the hurricane. When we visited, we did not order the drink but I did get some pictures of it. The hurricane is a sweet drink made of rum, which after four days in NOLA and Florida is not something I wanted/ needed to consume.

I LOVE NOLA. It is a laid-back city, where you can relax, have a good time and enjoy great food. It is also a place where you can dress up or dress down and have a great time.  Word to the wise- if you are not found of humidity or did not grow up in Texas, July may not be the best month to visit this fantastic city.