Elvis Has Left The Building

With the weekend approaching we had to make a decision about what we should do.  We found ourselves asking, "What would Elvis do?"  Apparently, the answer was head to Annapolis for the 30th annual croquet match between St. John's College and the U.S. Naval Academy.

(Elvis was all shook up about the croquet match)

Elvis was not the only one in attendance as many members of the Annapolis community and St. John's alumni came out to enjoy the match and the pageantry that accompanies it.

With anticipation mounting for the start of the match, the Naval Academy team walked over from their neighboring campus.

Meanwhile the crowd listened to the smooth sounds of the Trident Brass Band.

After the teams were introduced and the St. John's freshman choir sang The Star-Spangled Banner written by St. John's own Francis Scott Key (class of 1796), the match got under way.

One of the main points of excitement is the annual unveiling of the St. John's uniforms.  The Navy team always wears their traditional whites.  St. John's, however, mixes it up.  In the past, they have come out dressed as vikings, in kilts, and this year as campus security guards.

Speaking of costumes, the crowd had some pretty spectacular outfits and was described as "Gatsbyesque"  in one publication.

(Not sure if the hip pack is Gatsby, but it is Great.)

Sadly, croquet is not much of a spectator sport.  We knew when it was time to wave goodbye to the characters at St. John's and tour around Annapolis a little more.   

Eventually, we made it back to DC for dinner at Sticky Rice. It was a fun little place on H street with above average sushi, and as a bonus it is near our apartment.

Sunday was unexpectedly busy. After our Saturday plans to go to Baltimore were bumped by the croquet match in Annapolis, we thought we would go on Sunday. Laziness, Ben's knee and a craving for Chevy's Fresh Mex swayed us toward sticking around the district. We went to Virginia to run a few errand and of course, eat at Chevy's. Ben was so excited he joined the mariachi band.

With Kelly's birthday just around the corner, Ben got the wait staff to sing happy birthday and bring dessert.

After lunch, we headed by the National Archives to see a Ben Franklin exhibit that has been advertised.

  

While the promotional material were impressive, the exhibit left a little something to be desired.  We have been burned by the Archives before, but we decided to give them another chance.  I guess this time it was a fool us twice, shame on us. 

And a return to the license plate of the week feature....