The First State and The Free State

Today started early (as they usually do when I am traveling and letterboxing) as I left Philadelphia around 6:00am and headed south. My plans for today included visiting the Capitals of Delaware and Maryland and finding at least one letterbox in each state as well. It didn't take long (about 25 minutes) and I had already crossed over into Delaware.

Delaware Capitol

I continued my drive to Dover (the Capital) taking I495 around Wilmington then changing to US13 before ending up on DE1. Along DE1 I stopped at a rest area (Chauncey O. Simpson Memorial Rest Area) near Smyrna. This is a beautiful rest area with plenty of parking, a welcome center, a dog walking area and a memorial garden for people killed on Delaware highways. Here I stretched my legs and ended up finding two letterboxes here. I found Road Trip in the memorial garden and The Northern Spy in the dog walking area. I enjoyed my walk around the rest area and was happy that I could add two more states to my letterboxing map. After stamping in and rehiding the boxes I went into the welcome center and gathered some brochures and maps before continuing my trip to Dover. When I arrived in Dover I parked at the State Archives Building and then walked to the Capitol. I walked around the outside and took some pictures and then went in. The security guards were really nice and gave me some brochures (it was too early for guided tours) and let me wander around the building. I took more pictures inside and when I finished my tour I returned to the State Archives. There is also a welcome center here and I asked for other things for me to do in town. A very nice lady gave me a map and pointed out a few things. I also walked through a few exhibits they had in the building. I left there and walked around The Green and visited the Old State House. I enjoyed learning about Dover and Delaware but time was slipping away from me and I needed to get back on the road and head to Maryland.

World War II Memorial

Another hour to an hour and a half and I was arriving in Annapolis. From Dover I ended up driving over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge which was wonderful - really great views from the bridge. After crossing the bridge and arriving on the western shore of Maryland I drove a little further on US301 to the Governor Ritchie Highway. I took this road to the World War II Memorial that sits in the median between the lanes of traffic and has a beautiful view of the city of Annapolis. I walked around the memorial and was amazed at the wonderful tribute that Maryland had made to all their citizens that served in World War II. After about 20 minutes of taking pictures and reading plaques I then turned my attentions to finding a letterbox hidden here. I followed the clues and and with a little stealth (some muggles were around) I found the box (Annapolis MD aka 'Crabtown') and took it to a low wall out of the way to stamp in. When I was done it was easier to put it back in place since all the muggles had left. I then returned to my car and headed for Annapolis.

Maryland Capitol

Once in town I headed to the Capitol. Finding a place to park proved challenging and I had to drive around State Circle a few times before I found a spot. I then walked around the building and took a few pictures but because of the way it sits and the trees in front of it and the closeness of all the other buildings nearby it was hard for me to get a good picture. So I decided to go in and have a look. I enjoyed the building (the little that I saw) but was only able to see the first floor which included the House and Senate Chambers and a few rooms with exhibits. The security guard told me they stopped all tours due to budget cuts and only the first floor is open to visitors. Needless to say it only took me about 15 minutes to see the place and then I was on my way. I left the Capitol and walked down to Main Street looking for a restaurant for lunch. Actually I was looking for a restaurant that had crabs on the menu. (Okay, no jokes here!) I found a place that looked to be very local and had crab cakes on there menu. So I went in. The place was packed and very small. Right in front were about four tables (very close together), then turning to the right there was a narrow walkway. On the right along the wall were two booths (only one person could sit on each side) and on the left was a counter and the cash register. Past this was a bar with stools on the left and then more booths on the right (oriented sideways). I took one of the first two booths on the right as you walk in. Later I gleaned that there was an upstairs dining area as well. The place was hopping so I felt like I had made a good choice. The menu showed pictures of crab cakes made with a half pound of lump crab meat. My mouth was watering. So I ordered a crab cake sandwich with onion rings. It was sooooooooooo goood!!! The crab meat just melted in your mouth. The place is called Chick and Ruth's Delly. After stuffing myself I decided I needed a little walk. So I made my way to the end of Main Street and then turned up Randall Street and then onto King George Street. I window shopped and passed by the United States Naval Academy. I wanted to take a tour but I needed to do a little letterboxing and then make my way back to Philly. From King George Street I walked up College Avenue back to State Circle and my car. I decided I had time for two letterboxes but they needed to be drive-bys. So I opted for You've Got Mail and Blue Crab Pickle-Lily. I found both without any problems and stamped in quickly so that I could begin my drive back to Philadelphia. So now I have added two new states to my letterboxing map (three for this trip so far).

My original plan was to drive to Baltimore and spend a little time there but as luck would have it time got away from me. So I decided to just retrace my drive and that is what I did. I had a little problem at the Bay Bridge. There is a toll station on the Annapolis side of the bridge and there were quite a few people headed east. So it took me about 30 minutes just to get through the toll and then cross the bridge (a total distance of about four and a half miles. Once on the other side things were great - the drive was uneventful except for a downpour that lasted about fifteen minutes around Middleton, DE. It was raining so hard that the wipers weren't helping and I had to pull into a parking lot and wait it out. I am glad it didn't last long and I was able to get back on the road. Once I was back in Philadelphia and near the hotel I decided to fill the car with gas so that I can head out again in the morning and not have to worry about that.

It was another long day but I enjoyed every minute of it. Even the drive back and forth - I love driving, especially in rural areas - so peaceful. Tomorrow I stay in Pennsylvania but I will be doing a little more driving - I am headed to Harrisburg (another Capitol) and Hershey. Ummm! Chocolate!