Nantucket
Our longest excursion on this trip was a day trip to Nantucket -- first we drove to Hyannis where we spent a night, then we took the ferry (or Hy-Line Cruise) the next day to Nantucket. We spent a full day on the island and caught the last ferry back. This also would be our second trip to a Massachusetts Island -- the first one being a day trip to Martha's Vineyard
As the ship pulled close to Nantucket Harbor, Brant Point Lighthouse greeted us on this beautiful morning. We did not know at the time, but it would also be where we ended this glorious day.
(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)
Brant Point Lighthouse
Brant Point Lighthouse
Brant Point Lighthouse
Brant Point Lighthouse
Brant Point Lighthouse
Even the boat houses in the harbor are in lovely Cape Cod style.
Nantucket Harbor
After some preparation -- this included getting coffee and breakfast and packing lunch -- we took the bus to Siasconset at the eastern end of the island. There, we started toward the Sconset Bluff Walk. Even before we started, the charming houses near Siasconset Beach already delighted us.
House
Like the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island, the Sconset Bluff Walk is a trail on a bluff (cliff) along the ocean; unlike Newport, the houses in Sconset are more "regular" residences (though still multi-million dollar houses!) in typical Cape Code style, perhaps less pretentious and more intimate than those huge mansions in Newport.
Sconset Bluff Walk
Sconset Bluff Walk
Sconset Bluff Walk
On the other side of the Bluff Walk, of course, you have Siasconset Beach and the boundless Atlantic Ocean. The view is unsurpassed.
Siasconset Beach
Siasconset Beach
Siasconset Beach
A little beyond the Sconset Bluff Walk stands Sankaty Head Lighthouse, a stately and imposing structure on the cliff overlooking the ocean (it actually has been moved back from closer to the ocean due to erosion of the cliff).
Sankaty Head Lighthouse
Sankaty Head Lighthouse
Sankaty Head Lighthouse
Charm is everywhere on Nantucket, even a bicycle leaning against a shed seemed so picturesque!
Bicycle
I also like the flowerboxes local residents use to decorate their homes -- they add even more charm to these houses, if that is possible.
Flower Box
Flower Box
The Siasconset Post Office is the most charming of all post offices that I have ever seen.
Post Office
After a little repose back in town, we took another bus ride to Madaket Beach on the western end of the island. It is supposed to be the best place to see sunset on Nantucket, but, because we had to catch the ferry back to Hyannis, we had to leave this place and get back to town (and harbor). However, as nice as Madaket Beach is, this was not a decision to be regretted (read on).
Madaket Beach
Madaket Beach
Back in town again, we took a leisurely walk and tried to pick a restaurant for dinner. Even the restaurant signs were very interesting here.
Nantucket Prime
Brotherhood of Thieves
Friendly waiter and waitress volunteered to pose for me.
Waiter and waitress
After dinner, we walked along the harbor. The sun was setting and the houses around the harbor were basking in the golden light.
Nantucket Harbor
We decided to go to Brant Point Lighthouse to watch sunset. Thus, we were back to where we started. In the fading sunlight, Brant Point Lighthouse was glowing from within and without.
Brant Point Lighthouse
This turned out to be a great decision -- we could not know how good sunset was on Madaket Beach on this day, but the sunset over Jetties Beach was nothing short of spectacular, and we had ample time to walk back to the dock to catch our ferry ride back.
Sunset
Sunset
One last shot of Brant Point Lighthouse after the sunset -- the salmon pink sky bid us farewell and thus ended our most memorable excursion of this trip.
Brant Point Lighthouse
