I’ve been putting this post off for a while– mainly because it’s my 100th!!! Nothing seemed quite right as far as a proper celebration of my centennial post. Honestly, I never thought I would get to 100 this time last year. And not only that, but almost 7,000 readers ain’t half bad either.  I cannot thank you all enough for your comments, likes and followings. It means more to me then you could ever know!

So without further adieu, back to our regularly scheduled program.

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It doesn’t seem possible that my beautiful little cousin could be old enough to be graduating from high school.

It seems just like yesterday that she was 4 and we were driving into New York City with Hannah in the back of the mini van, singing Edwin McCain at the top of her lungs– the lyrics were a little off for a 6 year old, but the excitement in her voice more than made up for it.

Thanks to the accessibility of Facebook, I have watched my cousin grow from a little girl, into a beautiful young woman. It was without hesitation that we wanted to go see Hannah when she graduated from high school in Annapolis this year.

How awesome is this? Hannah’s teacher in elementary school made her write a letter to open when she graduated. It was about where she thought she would be at 18 years old…

Oh yes, that says “I will have a boy fred” and “I will have a blue convertible”…

 Not only did the trip allow for some family time, but we also got to visit one of D and my favorite little cities in America.

If you have never visited Annapolis, you are missing out. A short drive (depending on the horrendous traffic) from Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, Annapolis is home to the United States Naval Academy and is the proclaimed “Sailing Capital” of America.

I have decades of great memories there… everything from taking my best friend Lise (remember her?) to spy on Midshipmen from the back of my dad’s convertible, to sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, to partying in the dressing room of Helly Hanson after the Yacht Show. Ask D about the aftermath of that story…

Annapolis is most certainly the birth place of my love for men in uniform. Thank you USNA. Anyway, onto the pictures…

If you are visiting Annapolis, don’t miss:

Cantler’s or Fisherman’s Crab Deck. Their crabs are down right incredible.

A Pain Killer. The name says it all. Just watch out, because you’ll need a pain killer if you have too many.

Tsunami. Some of the best sushi I’ve ever had. The Annapolitan Roll has real crab and is to-die-for. Oh and the Siracha mac ‘n cheese is fairly amazing.

The Amish Market. Every weekend, The Pennsylvania Dutch pack up their buggies (actually trucks) and head to Annapolis. You can find fresh produce, poultry, and one of the best bakeries on the Eastern seaboard. Do not leave without getting a pretzel dog.

The Westin. Skip the Marriott on the water or the Lowe’s– The Westin is conveniently located in town and has a modern, but historical feel.

The Bay Bridge. Drive it solely  to get a feel for how big the Chesapeake Bay really is.

When to go: Spring or Fall, Winter gets REALLY cold and Summer can be REALLY hot. October brings the largest in the water boat show which is a real treat!

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So Hannah, if I could leave you with one bit of advice: Enjoy your college days. Work hard at school and major in something that you love to do. Always remember, while exams are important, they are not the end of the world. Work hard and play hard and cherish every minute. It will be over before you know it and you’ll wish you had this time back.