By: Drew Goodwin

Summer is my favorite season, especially in Annapolis (Naptown for those in the know). There are always crazy amounts of tourists coming to shop, dine, sail, and explore our 300+ year-old streets. While this Summer has been different to say the least, it’s been reassuring to see people out and about, masks on faces. As the school year starts and the bugle at the Academy begins to sound earlier and earlier in the evening to indicate the sunset lowering of the flag, I realized I needed to squeeze in one last big Summer day. 

My puppy Sullivan and I always begin our morning with a walk, normally around St. John’s campus. We live about two blocks away so it’s the perfect place for a leisurely jaunt. One of the most underrated parts of our campus is that its open to the Annapolis community to enjoy the tennis courts, grassy fields, and premier doggy rest stops. Bumping into other people and their dogs is a frequent, albeit in Sullivan’s case unwelcomed, occurrence. This particular morning, we stopped to take a selfie in front of McDowell Hall, the main academic building. Off in the distance was an Australian Shepherd who had his full attention apparently.

After getting ready for the day and enjoying a bit of vegemite on toast with coffee, we ventured back out to the First Sunday Art Market. From May until November on the first Sunday of the month there is always a giant art market on West Street, about 3 blocks from campus. It showcases everything from handmade cutting boards to watercolors of the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. I’d actually never been so this was a first for me! There were a surprising number of people but masks and social distancing prevailed. Sullivan attracted the intense attention of a little boy with his family and so he got some extra special pets.

Any good outing in Annapolis requires going to the water. From the City Dock you can see hundreds of sailboats and even some extremely large yachts. Annapolis being the sailing capital of the world, one really doesn’t expect anything less. One of the best views of the water though, comes from at the top of Main Street. For me, the aesthetic of the old brick street leading up to the water is unbeatable! After our walk, I dropped Sullivan off at home to rest as his stubby legs can only carry him so far. I then ran back over to Main Street for some delicious beverages with friends – al fresco naturally.

My day capped off by visiting one of the cutest stores in Annapolis, Maria’s Picture Place on Maryland Avenue. Her selection of artwork runs a bit too pro-Navy for me, but I always find something cute. Croquet rivalries are serious business and it takes some digging to find something acceptable. This time I ended up with a really great print of the plan for Annapolis and its harbor from 1781. I adore older maps, so this was a great find! Happy with my purchase, I had to only walk a few paces to get back home to find a certain well rested miniature Dachshund patiently awaiting his dinner. Overall, it was a great day and it makes me feel fortunate that I’m living in such a gorgeous place.