It is difficult to describe the anticipation attached to arriving on Nantucket at the beginning of the summer. When the ferry pulls into the harbor, there is a feeling of jubilation comes over me. Just knowing there are so many adventures that lie ahead is enough to make me tingle just a bit. The food – homemade ice cream from The Juice Bar, fresh grilled swordfish and halibut, freshly bakes bread, delicious veggie sandwiches from Something Natural, cooked and cracked lobsters from Sayle’s, bacon burgers from Cowboy’s, cod cakes I’ll make myself as home… the list goes on and on. And then there are the cocktails. We’ll be switching back and forth between margaritas, rum punch (or McGinley Mysteries, as I like to call them), and the occasional glass of champagne.
We started our trip the right way by arriving at the ferry with enough time to pick up some fried shrimp from Baxter’s in Hyannis. Also a treat that’s worth making time for when you make the journey to Nantucket.
All of these activities remind me of my own childhood and how the day we arrived on Nantucket was always one of the most exciting of the year. Back then, there were visions of trips to the candy store and beach. Afternoons spent collecting crisp, white clam shells followed by lazy hours spent painting them bright colors on the porch. Ultimately, we’d have a lemonade stand and offer the painted shells as an added product. Walking away with $17 whole dollars felt like we hit the jackpot in 1982.
And always as a backdrop, were days spending fishing for blues and stripers. We have not been the most impressive of fishermen over the years, but we have certainly been diligent, and occasionally rewarded for our efforts. Today, I wonder what my own children dream of when they think of Nantucket. Probably trips to the Maria Mitchell Aquarium and days spent pulling sea life out of the water at Jetties Beach. These are the days they’ll remember.
Here’s a video of the Steamship Authority fast ferry, Iyanough, as we pulled into Nantucket Harbor last Sunday.
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