The horn sounds as the ferry glides into port, over the speakers I hear, “Welcome to Nantucket Island, thank you for riding with us, enjoy your trip”. I feel the bump of the ship against the dock, as I look out I am reminded of the years of memories I have on this island.
As I step off the ferry there are the masts of the boats quietly floating in the harbor, a strong smell of the moist Nantucket sea air, and the sounds of seagulls singing a welcome song. A sense of comfort and relaxation gently surrounds my body as I begin to make the one-mile walk to my family’s cottage. My heart is calm, I feel a sense of peace like nowhere else. The best memories of my life have been made on the island of Nantucket. The island’s unique history is noticeable today. Right as I step off the boat, I can see the iconic Main Street cobblestone road, and the cars bumping up and down on the uneven road. As I move further down Main Street identical brick mansions lay, once owned by the whaler captains, which tell the stories from when Nantucket was the whaling capital of the world.
As I take a left at the Civil War memorial a wave of stillness sweeps across the street. All I can hear are the steps of my feet, and a distant horn being blown from the last ferry disembarking from the island. Finally, as I take a right on to Vestal Street, where you will find the home of Maria Mitchell, the first woman astronomer, and then finally I pass Old Gaol and I know as I pass this last historical site that I am just minutes away from the little oasis that is our cottage. Nantucket Island is rich in its own history and more importantly to me, my family history and some of my fondest memories as a child and as I continue to grow into an adult.
Nantucket is an island approximately thirty miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The Island has so much to offer, from town shopping and dining to relaxing on the beach and touring the island by bike or moped. Nantucket is also known for the Madaket sunsets, the quaint Siasconset walks, and the three lighthouses that have guided and welcomed boats to the island since 1746. The island may just be a weekend adventure for some, however, it is a nostalgic home for me.
For as long as I can remember when school got out for the summer, I packed up my bags and went to Nantucket. The island was full of peaceful and relaxing memories. From playing capture the flag with my brothers in our small backyard to the memorable sailing or soccer camps we participated in during our Nantucket summers. Beach days were always so much fun. Packing up the beach permit covered Lexus with boogie boards, crab nets, bait, goggles, and lunch boxes. Then all cramming into the car and heading to our favorite beach. To drive our car onto the beach and not sink into the sand we made the important pit stop to let some air out of the car tires. As we drove over the dune my brothers and I had no time to waste.
Sprinting for the water with our goggles in one hand and a crab net in the other we tried to catch as many crabs as possible. The feeling of the cold North East saltwater splashing in our faces was a final realization that we were back on the island doing what we loved the most. After a tiring day on the beach, our parents drove us back home while our sandy, tired, sunburnt selves asked what was for dinner. Upon arriving home and hopping out of the car onto a seashell driveway we tiptoed fast to our outdoor shower where we rinsed off the sand as our parents prepared supper.
Nantucket overall brings me a sense of peace that I have yet to attain on mainland Massachusets. However, there is one place on the island where I feel more serenity than any other place I have been in the world. At the far east side of the island in a small village called Siasconset, is a beautiful lighthouse where you can watch the most beautiful sunrises. I love coming here with my family and just sitting together while we watch God’s artistic hand-create beautiful reds, pinks, and oranges in the calm morning sky. Although you really have to experience it for yourself, this picture gives a little idea of what it is like to see one of this beautiful sunrises.
History on the island has been made before I was alive, it is developing while I am visiting, and new stores and history will establish once my time moves on. Although I might not have left an impact on Nantucket, I’ll never forget its impact on me.