<p>To all those who went or are planning to go to CVW: What are you supposed to wear? Is it a formal or casual event? All input is appreciated.</p>
<p>hbc025- when are you going on your cvw and what part of CA? im from san diego & im going feb 24-25.</p>
<p>Basically collared shirts and slacks are good. All in all it doesn't really matter, but look presentable. If you are coming in the winter time, make sure to bring a warm coat.</p>
<p>yeah I went semi-casual for the first day, when I went to classes: khakis and a nice shirt. I wouldn't wear jeans the first day...I wore them on the second day though, since I was going to the football game...</p>
<p>most of the guys were in collared shirts and slacks, as KeepOn mentions. you don't have to like wear a suit or anything, just presentable. </p>
<p>shawna</p>
<p>As a girl who visited in October, I wore black slack-ish pants, a polo shirt, and a jean jacket both days (the night got very cool and I added a sweatshirt and my mid loaned me a stocking cap). Guys' dress seemed to vary more, as I saw everything from untucked shirts to a tie.</p>
<p>Hey kids... if you are going on a CVW, you should know what type of clothes to wear for the weekend (neat, professional for an 18 yr old, tasteful, etc.)</p>
<p>But, if you want to know what the weather is like and what you should bring, just ask me, (via CC or PM) and I will tell you.</p>
<p>Our weather here is an anomoly -- even the Weather Channel doesn't get it correct. We (the Chesapeake Bay region) have a saying here--- "If you don't like the weather, wait 30 minutes and it will change..."</p>
<p>Any ???'s re the weather (Summer, Winter...) just ask...</p>
<p>But I do have to say, that we are moving to SW Florida later this year to get out of this humidity.....seriously. This area is like an inverted bowl --- the humidity here in August through September is some of the worst anyone will experience. SW Florida has lower temps and lower humidity than the Baltimore/Annapolis area.</p>
<p>bring jeans to wear in case you go to a sporting event in foul weather, but in general wear khakis or nice slacks, collared shirts, etc. don't wear sweatpants or sweatshirts. and for heaven's sake, don't coordinate your outfits with other drags. some swim drags did that and the collective opinion was not favorable, especially when they spoke to the Supe.</p>
<p>mamasparrow..what part of SW Florida are you moving to?!? I live on Fort Myers Beach..the temperature is definately HOTT and humid in SW florida!!!</p>
<p>SWIMUSNA10: We're moving to Naples...and I know that it is hot and humid in SWF! But over the past few summers, Naples' temps have been 3 -5 degrees cooler, and the humidity has been lower than here in B-more. Honestly, there really is not much difference! Believe me, coming from Ft. Myers, YOU will feel right at home here during August! June is nice, July starts to get hot, August is UNBEARABLE (the only way to escape the humidity is to go "downy ocean"), then in September it gets really nice again. Our winters tend to be mild here too, compared with other parts of the state and region.</p>
<p>mamaS: what is the "downy ocean?" I have been often tempted to travel down to the end of the peninsula- what is down there? Any public beaches/parks? I hope to get down there at least once over the next 4 years!</p>
<p>Naples is beautiful!!! and not to far from where I am. Lots of fun and great dinner places in Naples!!!</p>
<p>Navy2010: In "Bawlmerese" (the unofficial Baltimore dialect) to say, " I'm going downy ocean" is how the locals say they are "going to Ocean City". Southern Maryland (the west side of the Chesapeake Bay) has some beautiful places to visit, as does the "Eastern Shore" - the east side of the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland is truly a beautiful state, with the mountains in the western part, access to DC, the piedmont region which includes the Baltimore area and the Inner Harbor, the Chesapeake Bay regions, and the Altlantic Ocean at Ocean City. To anyone who attends USNA, I hope you all have opportunities to explore our state, and try our crabs - the best anywhere!</p>
<p>Had the crabs for the first time last summer when we visited- and what an experience! We have a whole contingent coming down for I-day this year- with a crab feast planned for the night before! It was too funny- you had to see us getting 'instructed' on the proper way to eat the things- messy, messy, messy, but boy did we have fun- we had our waiter cracking up! And those spices- East bay??? - kept the beer flowing for sure just to put the fire out! Can't wait!!!</p>
<p>The seasoning is "Old Bay" -- glad you had fun! That's what it is all about on a warm summer evening in MD...</p>
<p>Thats it! Old bay! we kept pouring it on and on- and a bowl full of melted butter- and malt vinegar- oh, and the pitchers of beer kept coming- and we had a PILE of carcasses on the table- we were with another couple- she wacked one crab so hard she sent it airmail to the next table- we laughed our heads off so much we thought we would fall into the south river! Our poor waiter- he was SO PATIENT to teach us- crack this, pull that, eat this, definately DON'T eat that.....it is DEFINATELY on the agenda for our group the night before I-day- there will be 25 of us- thought it would be a fun send off for our plebe-to-be! </p>
<p>ps- even though we were right on the river, there were no bugs! No mosquitos to hit, no flies to swat- it was amazing! I guess too many drunkin sailors on the dock! ;)</p>
<p>Some advice on how to pick a crab --especially if there are going to 25 of you at a table: The crabs are already dead!! You don't have to beat them again with the mallet! Experienced crab pickers don't use it that much, anyhow! The best use for the mallet is to place your knife perpendicular to the claw, and TAP the knife with the mallet...wiggle the knife, and you have a perfect crab claw lollipop! Other than that, I have found no real use for the mallet.</p>
<p>I just realized that this thread is supposed to pertain to a CVW weekend -- thought we got off course, but second thought says no -- anyone who comes to Maryland HAS to know about our crabs, and how best to enjoy them!</p>
<p>FYI on crab pickin':</p>
<p>MomaS- thanks for the tips- obviously we skipped step 4- no wonder the waiter was shaking his head! Well, lets just say we are on the novice end of the novice to expert learning curve- but we did manage to find the apron thing and get that right! And we sure had tons and tons of fun tackling them!</p>
<p>So tell me- what are the best crabs to get? We ordered the "medium" crabs which our waiter recommended because they were "running heavy"....as opposed to the "large" crabs- but is it better to get the big ones? </p>
<p>So much to learn- so little time- even less to eat if you don't get the darn things open! And what is in that green stuff anyway? that was nasty- and it was a challenge getting past those lung/gill fingers- but after that, pure heaven! </p>
<p>As for CVW- I agree, a good crab feast is part of the whole experience- at least for the parents! Rumor has it they even have one at the academy over the summer- I wonder if the cadre trust the plebes with mallots!</p>
<p>Navy2010 - You git yourself on down here to SC & I'll show you how to go "crabbin'" All we need is a ball of twine & a good 'ol turkey neck. And of course a bottle of beer and some sunscreen. We git those little critters and put em directly into a cooler full of ice to slooooowww em down. When we git as many as we need for the crowd, we boil em up in Old Bay & more beer then git r dunnnn. We have old Gullah traditions here and its too fun. If I get up to MD, you guys have to show me your "way". I can do in about 18 with a half lb of butter. No I'm not kidding.</p>
<p>navy2010: The greenish-yellow stuff is called the "mustard" (liver?) --SOME people eat that, but most do not. I would not recommend it! And definitely DON'T eat the gills (lungs, devil fingers)! Scrape all that off with your knife. </p>
<p>When the crabs are "running heavy", it means they have alot of meat in them. All crabs are priced by size tip-to-tip: Small - Medium - Large - Jumbo (which are rare to find nowadays). If the Med's are heavy that day, it is usually a better buy than lighter Large crabs.</p>
<p>Eating crabs is a liesurely process -- not meant to be rushed through. Nothing beats a couple of hours picking crabs with family and friends!</p>