For a wonderful journey back through time to colonial America, spend a day in Annapolis. Located just an hour from suburban Maryland, Annapolis provides many diversions for a summer day. We head over early on a Sunday morning to pay a visit to the dockside Farmers Market. Yachts, speedboats, sailboats and kayaks ring the harbor as we walk toward the market. Fresh colorful vegetables and crafts are offered here and though it is smaller than most markets the setting makes it charming. We have brought a picnic lunch of bean salad and couscous, sweet and sour tempeh, greens and twig tea and we sit on a bench near the water to eat.
Following the path along the water, we see many crowded seafood restaurants and adorable shops. We have come to tour the William Paca House or the Hammond Harwood House where the docents give guided tours. As we walk up the Pinkney Street along the aged brick walkway, we spy the open door of the Hogsheads House. Two ladies outfitted in floor length 1700s frocks greet us warmly. Hogshead House was built in the early 1700s and then rebuilt in 1800. The entrance way is filled with artifacts including a group of firearms, leather goods and implements made from hides and horns of animals. The docent explains where the term " Lock, stock and barrel" comes from. They are individual parts of the gun which can be replaced without purchasing a whole new firearm. We learn about hard tack, flour, water and salt, which hardens into a rock and then can be kept and later softened with tea or soup. Tea for the wealthy was made from expensive tea leaves while the poor only got the dregs, tea compressed into a block. Horns of animals were used to hold gunpowder that one could carry with himself until needed. Horns were flattened by boiling them in vinegar and placed in molds to make spoons. Beeswax was used to make cups airtight. Hogheads are the barrels into which the cash crop tobacco was twisted for storage and transport. Pipes of clay were used for smoking the tobacco and when done the ends were bitten off .
It is fascinating to hear all these stories and to learn about all the uses the colonial settlers found for what was in their environment.
Exhausted from our free tour and our walk through the many narrow winding streets, we happen upon the Reynolds Tea Room. It sits on Church Circle and has a lovely view down the steep street to the waterfront. This dwelling was constructed in the year 1747 and owned by a hatter and dry good salesman. It has been a home and bed and breakfast as well as a tavern for weary travelers. There is a massive offering of teas here. We choose from names like Angel Falls Mist, Gunpowder Green, Sencha Kyoto Cherry Rose Festival, Hawaiian Lili'uokalani, and Yin Zhen Silver Needle. It feels so relaxing to sit near a window , sipping our tea and sharing a warm golden raisin scone.
Besides walking along the streets and touring the homes, Annapolis has many other activities. You can take a boat ride and tour along the coastline or dine in one of the excellent restaurants that line the streets. There are large parks to explore. The State House offers tours where you can learn about Maryland's government and the Benjamin Banneker House details African American History.
How fortunate we are to have such rich opportunities for learning and spending our weekends so close to the Nations Capital.
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