Annapolis: Cold Coffee & Questionable Decisions
okay, so annapolis. it’s…a place. i wasn’t exactly planning on ending up here, honestly. it started with a gig falling through in *Baltimore, then a series of increasingly questionable decisions involving a bus ticket and a guy named Earl who swore he knew a shortcut. Earl, by the way, was wearing a full pirate costume. don’t ask.
anyway, i just checked and it’s…actively drizzling, with a wind that feels like it’s personally offended by my existence. the weather report said something about a “feels like” temperature of nearly freezing, which, yeah, tracks. i’m currently huddled in a coffee shop called Bean Around the World (surprisingly good, 4.5 stars on Yelp), trying to thaw my fingers and piece together what happened.
this whole trip was supposed to be about finding inspiration for new drum patterns, you know? soaking up the atmosphere. instead, i’m mostly soaking up dampness. i’ve been touring with this indie band for, like, forever, and honestly, the constant travel is starting to blur everything together. Every city starts to look the same after a while.
Someone told me that the best crab cakes in town are at a place called Cantler’s Riverside Inn, but you have to be prepared to fight off seagulls. Apparently, they’re aggressive.
Speaking of blending in, the locals here are…interesting. A lot of naval academy folks, obviously. Very crisp uniforms. Very serious expressions. And a surprising number of people walking around with tiny dogs dressed in sweaters. If you get bored, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia are just a quick train ride away. I overheard someone complaining about the parking situation - apparently, it’s a nightmare. Like, “you’ll age ten years just trying to find a spot” kind of nightmare.
I wandered around the historic district earlier, which is…pretty. Cobblestone streets, old buildings, the whole nine yards. It felt like stepping back in time, except with more tourists and overpriced souvenir shops. I checked out some reviews on TripAdvisor for the local museums, and honestly, they were pretty mixed. One person said the Naval Academy Museum was “surprisingly engaging,” while another called it “a snoozefest.” Take that as you will.
I also stumbled upon this tiny record store, Spin Cycle, which was a highlight. Found a rare pressing of a jazz album i’ve been hunting for ages. That almost made the pirate encounter worth it. Almost. You can find more info about local events on Visit Annapolis.
Someone at the coffee shop (a woman with a truly impressive collection of enamel pins) warned me about the ghost tours. Apparently, Annapolis is haunted. Like, seriously haunted. She said she went on one and saw a spectral sailor wandering around the State House*. I’m skeptical, obviously, but hey, maybe i’ll check it out. What’s the worst that could happen?
Honestly, i’m just trying to survive this trip. And maybe find a decent meal that doesn’t involve crab. I heard that Rams Head Tavern has good burgers, but also that it’s always packed. It’s a gamble. Everything feels like a gamble these days. I'm thinking of checking out Annapolis City Paper for some local insights.
Anyway, i should probably go find a dry pair of socks. And maybe avoid any more conversations with people in pirate costumes.
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