A Marshmallow World

It's a yum-yummy world made for sweethearts,
Take a walk with your favourite girl,
It's a sugar date, what if spring is late,
In winter, it's a marshmallow world.

OK, well only at Christmas do you give these songs license to be silly, but in Annapolis it is 'the most wonderful time of the year' for holiday shopping and merriment. Which leads me to a little history of the wonderful streets in Annapolis where you can 'shop till you drop'.  Main Street is defined so much by its history (three centuries), and the preserved buildings that align the sidewalks as you eat and shop. One loves the alleys and niches,more specifically, during the 'Midnight Madness' shopping, is .Snowflake Alley. sponsored by the local business association. The picture doesn't give it justice. You have to experience it!

We have to attribute the angled streets that generate from the State House to the original 1696 plan which was created by Governor Francis Nicholson and based on baroque urban planning principles which were advanced in Europe during the 17th century. (writers note, you need to carry a compass in both Europe and Annapolis if you want to know where north is, cuz the street names (e.g. East?) won't specifically be true to you!) So Nicholson optimized the existing topography by placing the Maryland State House on the highest point and St. Anne's Church on the second. Gotta have that separation of church and state. So it's anorther reason to experience Annapolis by leaving your car in the garage, here or at home, and walking these streets. As beautiful it is during the 'water season' the colder weather draws you to shopping on the streets and warming up either at Kilwin's for a hot chocolate or Dry85 for that vintage bourbon. Tough choices!  And both go well with marshmallows, too!  Happy Holidays!