While
docked in Oak Bluffs we took the local bus to Edgartown for the day. Just 6 miles away it had a totally different
feel to it; much more upscale and pristine.
It is full of old whaling captains’ homes In perfect condition and shops
that will quickly break the bank. After an
extended walking tour we stopped in a waterfront bar/restaurant for some
refreshment as it was unusually warm. Chatting
with our stool mates at the bar we found that they were also our next door neighbors
in the marina in Oak Bluffs. They had
just arrived from New Bedford and had ridden their bicycles over to
Edgartown. (Younger and more energetic
than us). We enjoyed each other’s company
and ended up continuing the conversation on each other’s boats later that
evening.
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| Mike and Jean Riccardi |
On
the 16th we made the 24NM journey to Nantucket in perfect
conditions. Clear skies, 75 degrees and
flat calm seas. Nantucket is Edgartown
on a larger scale. The cobblestone
streets give it more of earlier time feel.
The shops are full of elegant merchandise and there are many excellent
restaurants to choose from albeit all very expensive. We chose The Club Car for our night out
because it had a piano bar. It is based
in an old narrow gauge rail car that once served the island. Met some interesting folks who couldn’t stop
telling us how rich they were. Everyone
joined in the singing though.
 |
The Club Car
midday |
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| Mural in the Club Car |
Nantucket
was the center of the whaling industry in the early 1800s. Many of the remarkable homes in town were
built by the ship captains of the era.
As the harbor silted in the industry moved to New Bedford, MA around
1850. Today the island depends on
tourism from the rich and famous. It has
a population of 10,500 that swells to 60,000 in July and August. We took a tour of the island guided by a 6th
generation native women. Strict building
codes insure all homes have the same general character with grey cedar shingles
and white trim giving the island the nick name of The Grey Lady. The oldest house still standing was built in
1690 and a windmill for grinding grain with wooden gears is still operating. It is a beautiful island with many great
beaches. On the eastern shore ersosion
of the hundred foot cliffs is forcing the movement of cliff top homes inland as
well as the Skanset Lighthouse.
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| Nantucket |
 |
| Sunset, Nantucket Boat Basin |
We
could have easily spent more time in Nantucket as we both enjoyed it, but the forecast
for deteriorating boating conditions necessitated we move on. Strong winds and rough seas are predicted for
the coming week, so we have decided to seek refuge in New Bedford/Fairhaven.
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| Underway from Nantucket |
