Traveling with Willadean

The thirty-mile, one-hour sea crossing to Nantucket may not be on an ocean liner, but it does set the "Little Gray Lady" apart from her larger, shore-hugging sister, Martha. I love Nantucket's smaller size as it makes it so easy to get around.  The "gray" name refers not only to the winter fogs, but to the gray clapboard and shingles that the buildings have across the island.

You can take the Hy-Line Ferry "The Grey Lady"  from Hyannis port to Nantucket, you can choose from 5 or 6 departures a day depending on the time of year.

The tiny cobbled carriageways of Nantucket Town itself, once one of the largest cities in Massachusetts, were frozen in time by economic decline 150 years ago. Today, this area of old restored houses, has more buildings on the National Register of Historic Places than Boston. The main streets is very much the island hub. From the moment you get off the ferry you're you'll be able to find bike rental places and tour companies easily. Straight Wharf leads directly onto Main Street, with its shops and restaurants; the information office which has a daily list of things of the island is nearby.  The population of the island soars from about 10,000 to 50,000 during the summer months, due to tourists and summer residents.

The Nantucket Historic District, comprising all of Nantucket Island, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The island has one of the highest concentrations of pre-Civil War structures in the United States. It also has the oldest operating windmill in the United States (since 1746). You can visit the airport that was the setting for the hit NBC sitcom Wings,  and visit the lighthouse, they are beautiful.

There are several of "must" things to do while on Nantucket:  Whale and Sea Watching cruises are fantastic

Explore Nantucket on a cruise to the remote island of Muskeget where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the main island to view the year-round population of up to 3000 Grey Seals. The seals are always present, so you are guaranteed to see sometimes hundreds at a time! Staying well within strict viewing guidelines, they get close. How close, "up close and personal",  with the engines either off or just at idle, you can watch the seals frolic just feet away. These large and fascinating animals live side by side, their habitat includes dry sand bars and uninhabited stretches of beach, the likes of which you will not see anywhere else in the Northeast. The Seal Cruise is a nature lovers dream.  Also enjoy the Whale Watch Cruise.  The nice thing about it is they have guaranteed sighting. You travel about 15-25 miles offshore to view mainly Humpback, Finback Whales, in addition to other animals including Basking Sharks, White-Sided Dolphins, and Sea Turtles.  This rare Nantucket experience will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. You'll be sure to hear that century-old cry, "Thar she blows". It takes on new meaning as you seek out whales.  Everyone is encouraged to help in spotting the tell-tale spouts that lead you to these magnificent creatures.

You may also want to take a tour of the island......Tales by Gale is about an hour tour that you will really enjoy.

And then there's shopping.  I'm smiling. I love shopping on Nantucket, (and I'm not a big shopper) but it's such a unique place to shop. Nantucket is known for it's Nantucket baskets. Basket making was one of the many skills that that the friendly natives taught the new settlers. These early baskets were made with materials that were readily available at the time, namely ash, oak, or hickory. These woods were made into splints by pounding and separating along the annual rings. This style of weaving baskets is the origin of many styles of baskets still produced today. Of all these styles perhaps shaker baskets most readily reflect their connection to the original methods and materials used by the early settlers. 

They also have Nantucket basket jewelry. When I was on tour to Nantucket I bought the Nantucket basket necklace, (like the one on the left) earrings and bracelet. I still have those and wear them occassionly. The bracelet I wore so much that I broke it, and it reminds me I need to get it fixed. I've noticed when I checked today's prices of the jewerly, they've gone up quite a bit. I'm glad I bought mine back several years ago.

Nantucket is a great place to eat sea food. Clam Chowder is a specialty,  as well as Lobster Rolls. You can also find fresh Lobster. What better way to enjoy a sunny afternoon on Nantucket than by sitting on the beach and enjoying fresh lobster. Oh, by the way, you'll find lobster almost "dirt cheap" on Nantucket.  If you haven't been to Nantucket, I'd suggest putting in on your list of one of those places to visit.  It's an awesome place!!