Naval Academy & National’s Game

Here’s the next post about our DC trip. So if you remember from the last post, our boys flew in on Thursday night. Friday morning we got up, checked out of the Gaylord, and headed towards Annapolis, MD. We got into Annapolis, parked just outside of the Naval Academy, and made our way through security. We were in contact with Joe, Drew’s best friend (who you may remember from here or here) as he is a midshipmen at the Naval Academy. We seemed to get there just as class was letting out and we were able to meet up with Joseph before Noon meal formation. Being a midshipmen (student) at the Naval Academy is quite different that being a college student because of much more strict schedule and the lack of being able to come and go from the yard (campus). Any time someone comes to visit a midshipmen, they relish in it. When Joseph spotted us as he walked from class, he grinned from ear to ear, greeting us with hugs and handshakes.

We chatted a bit and then he had to go get in line for the Noon formation march in. Once he was done with that we met back and he was able to come ate lunch with us at The Alley.

Here the midshipmen are lined up about to start their march into Bancroft Hall. There was a decent crowd of visitors there to watch.

Here’s Joseph and Drew at the Alley.

After lunch, Joseph was able to give us a full tour of the academy and answered all our questions about midshipmen life and the yard.

Here we are with our favorite midshipmen!

We got super lucky that the day we were there was one of their scheduled Formal Dress Parades. Here’s the Silent Drill Team in action before everyone else marches in.

The boats in the background are actually part of the parade in that they are there as protection from the water, which I thought was pretty cool.

Here you see the smoke from the canons they shot off.

Here’s one line of Joseph’s company. There are 8 people in this line and he is the 7th one back.

After the parade, Joseph went to change his clothes and pack his stuff. Then, we made our way to D.C. for the National’s Game.

The Presidents’ Race was a hoot and I’m so glad the boys remembered, because at one point I was ready to go get something to eat. However, they reminded me of it and we waited for it.

We ordered a large pizza from Enzo’s. So good! Highly recommended!

So yet another super busy day, but lots of fun.

Read more from our trip here…
Day in Boston :: 24 Hours in Philly :: Philly to National Harbor :: Fun Day in National Harbor, MD :: Morning in Old Town Alexandria :: Afternoon in DC :: SAAM & National Portrait Gallery :: DC Day 1 :: DC Day 2