View from the Maritime Republic of Eastport

Spa Creek - over this body of water an annual battle occurs between Annapolis and the Maritime Republic of Easport -The Tug-O-War!   Billed as the longest "international" tug-o-war over a body of water in the world, it's all in great fun, music, food and parties.

The building on the foreground is the Charles Carroll House, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Charles Carroll of Carrollton, to be precise.  All signers of the document were automatically guilty of sedition against King George III, a crime punishable by torture and death.  Since the name Charles Carroll, was, at that time a common name in the colonies, he appended it with "of Carrollton", minimizing the risk to anyone of the same name being captured and punished.

The steeple in the background belongs to the Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or as it is locally known, St. Mary's.

On a Gondola in Venice Italy

Ciao amici miei!

The painting on the bow of the gondola is the Doge's Palace.  According to our gondolier, it was painted by his grandfather when he was a gondolier.  The bell tower beside the Doge's Palace is the Campanile di San Marco.  Facing the gondola on the Grand Canal, is the Santa Maria della Salute.

Gondolas have been used as a means of transport in Venice for over 10 centuries.  Only 3 to 4 gondolier licenses are issued annually, and only highly skilled oarsmen, after passing a rigorous training and an exam, are allowed to be a gondolier.

St. Paul's Cathedral and the "Temz", London England

Speaking of Londontowne, (a previous post) here's a shot of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.  The dome is open to the public.  Its acoustics are so precise that a whisper can be heard all the way on the other side.  Climb another 271 steps and one can reach the very top of the dome.

The Thames River, in the foreground, is pronounced "temz" in London.  According to our guide, one of the stories was that King George I  had a very thick German accent and that is the way he pronounced it.  In deference to his position the king's subjects began pronouncing it that way too, the Temz.

Londontowne, Edgewater MD

Created in 1683, Londontowne  was once an important tobacco port.  Laid out over 100 acres and overlooking the South River, it once held the Anne Arundel County courthouse, until the courthouse moved to Annapolis in 1695.  Today Londontowne and Gardens is a twenty-three acre park featuring history, archaeology, and horticulture on the South River in Edgewater, Maryland.

Missing Mallard Ducks, Annapolis MD

A few minutes walk along a wooded path from Holly Pavilion in Quiet Waters Park is this cove off of the South River.  Mallard ducks usually populate this spot, but this afternoon I saw them waddling off along the river's edge.  (While on the ground, a group of mallards is called a sord, and when they are in flight are called a flock.)

A Snowy Morning on Main and Francis Streets, Annapolis MD

Off in the distance from Main Street is Saint Anne's Episcopal Church.  Founded in 1692, it is the oldest church in Annapolis.  To the right, going up Francis Street, is the Maryland State House, the oldest in continuous use.  Here, George Washington resigned as commander-in-chief  and congress ratified the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the Revolutionary War.

Turandot in Quiet Waters, Annapolis MD

 The sculpture, entitled "Turandot" was created by artist Douglas Warnock.

Turandot is also the name of a beautiful princess of an ancient tale.  She had many suitors; however, to win her hand in marriage the suitor had to answer three riddles.  One wrong answer, and by her edict, they were executed.  One day, a young prince watched as she coldly ordered the decapitation of another who had failed.  The prince fell madly in love.  He struck the gong that announced his intention to marry her and of his attempt to answer the riddles.  The riddles were:
What is born each night and dies each dawn?
What flickers red and warm like a flame, yet is not fire?
What is like ice but burns?
The prince answered each one correctly, but Turandot still refused to wed.  He then offered his own riddle.  If she can guess his name, he would allow Turandot's executioners to kill him.
There's more to it, but in the end, she falls in love with him and they live happily ever after.
Weird.

 Giacomo Puccini later composed an opera based upon this tale.   

Autumn Foliage at Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis MD

Through the seasons, my camera and I have often spent hours wandering about Quiet Waters Park; I've never been disappointed.  From inhaling the crisp autumn air to listening to the hushed crackling of winter's frost beneath my boots, my Nikon and I have captured, albeit in a small way, that which is fleeting and ever-changing, as ethereal as the light.