Annapolis, MD – Time to Chill

For the first time on this journey we are holding still, it’s time to chill, time to unwind.

Buttercup says thank you!

Annapolis is the capital of Maryland. For many, it is a lovely, walkable, historic district.

It is also the home of St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis, Maryland. The Catholic co-ed school has a total enrollment of ~500; it’s known for its rigorous academic program and its phenomenal 100% college acceptance rate for graduates. BRAVO!

Annapolis is also home to the United States Naval Academy.

But, did you know the academy isn’t the oldest college in town? That distinction belongs to St. John’s College, a private liberal arts school founded in 1696 – originally known as King William’s School.

Inquiring minds ask, who was King William?

The school was probably not named after King William I, also known as William the Conquerer, since he was better known for bastardly stuff [son of the unmarried Duke Robert I of Normandy and his mistress Herleva]. Oh, and he died in 1087.

Another unlikely namesake was his son William II, aka Rufus (seriously!), who died in 1100 – shot in the back with an arrow and killed while hunting in the New Forest in Hampshire. The incident was probably an assassination, orchestrated by the king’s younger brother, Henry, who promptly seized the English throne as King Henry I. Brutal family history.

Most likely the school was named after William III, aka Prince of Orange, who died in 1702 – not long after the school was founded. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. By the way Number 3 was married to his cousin, Queen Mary the II. If you have too much time on your hands, here’s a Britannica link to history of William III, King of Scotland, England and Ireland.

Don’t feel bad if you have never heard of the school, recent student enrollment was only 450. Fun facts: Four of the college founders signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, namely Charles Carroll of Carrollton, William Paca, Thomas Stone, and Samuel Chase. George Washington visited the school in 1791, and Abraham Lincoln walked the grounds in 1865.

Happy Juneteenth.

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln as of January 1, 1863. His action freed more than 250,000 people in Texas, officially ending slavery. It is scandalous that more than two years had elapsed.

Now a Federal Holiday, we hope you get out and enjoy the local parades and festivities. Here are a few shots from Annapolis (thanks, Gail!)

Something fun, and personal:

Comments Encouraged: Shoe Survey – How often do you replace your shoes? Do you write a start date (or perhaps a retire by date) on your shoes? Roger B?

For everyday shoes, a good rule of thumb is to replace them every 8-12 months, or when they show signs of wear and tear. For walking shoes, you might want to replace them every 3-6 months or 500 miles. Sort of like an oil change.

Worn soles? Look for flattened or uneven wear on the outsole. Inconvenient holes in the sole – that invite small pebbles – are also a very good clue …

Capt. Rick has a tough time letting go of his shoes, but he finally said a sad farewell to well worn friends.

Celebrating A Legend:

If you read our post about the Alaska Legend, Dan Seavey, consider joining in on a Zoom Event to honor his family.

June 21 – Celebration of Life for Alaska Legend, Dan Seavey – Join the Zoom call today (Saturday) at 1pm AKST/2pm PST/5pm EST

If you are in Seward, the live event will be at AVTEC – Alaska Vocational Technical Center519 4th Ave, Seward, AK 99664

Details of the Seavey Zoom Event:

• Who: The Seavey family invites all members of the Iditarod Nation to join online in honoring Dan Seavey’s life and legacy.
• What: A celebration of life to honor Dan Seavey, recognizing his deep love for sled dogs and his passion for the history of Alaska’s Last Frontier. His contributions to the sport, culture, and the Iditarod are described as immeasurable.
• When: Saturday, June 21st, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. AKST / 5:00 p.m. EST.
• How to Join: The event will be held online via Zoom.
• Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81722975799?pwd=mpcKnXUU3F7QrbTOQjmoklzJb9J21W.1
• Meeting ID: 817 2297 5799 Passcode: 886026

Celebrations:

Sending a heartfelt shout out to Dana, Larry, Charles, and Alvin! Thanks for re-connecting Dana.

June 15 – Belated Birthday Wishes to Aussie friend, Heather Rutherford

More Birthdays: June 22, Ann Hughes; June 23, Mike Gillespie; June 24, Dan Bittner; June 26, Joe Occhino;

Anniversary: June 27, David and Jamie Hendry

Next up: Another week in Annapolis! Perhaps with some side trips.