Who would have thought when we planned this last summer get-a-way, that we would be more exhausted when we returned home than when we started off. On Wednesday, the 13th Steve and I left our house in the early morning (not even having my full
two cups of coffee) to find our way to the Tucker's House so that we could travel to Hyannis in a relaxed yet eager fashion. Well, the weather had other ideas, for the morning included a consistent torrential downpour, and Diana, who was driving
alongside her co-pilot, Jim, had to drive through puddles and truck spray for the two hour ride (Actually, it took a bit longer than 2 hours with the poor travel conditions). We finally made it to the ferry landing in Hyannis to find out that parking
would cost 20 dollars per day. That, along with the weather, did not inhibit the happy spirit of anticipation (after all this was our last hurrah of summer; at least the last hurrah for Diana and me).
After dropping off luggage and parking
the car in a massive parking lot (that should be everyone's retirement ambition; to buy a large field in which to park hundreds of cars at 20 dollars a day) we made our way to the hi speed ferry (taking only one hour to get to the island). Oh wait, we
weren't ready to board yet because Steve wanted something to eat (even though he NEVER eats at home) and Diana had to have ice cream! Jim and I patiently waited for our spouses to find nourishment before boarding.
Once on the ferry (other
ferry service had been interrupted due to the weather, but this one was still on schedule), we settled into our seats. I was going to ride backwards (not a good thing for someone who suffers from seasickness), but I was sure I would make it through due
to the wonderful medication called Bonine! An hour later, through sometimes rough seas, we docked in Nantucket and I was no worse for the wear.
It was after walking our way through cobblestone streets (Steve and Jim pulling luggage behind
them) that we made it to the visitor center where our hotel van would pick us up. Well guess what! Our hotel van was NOT equipped to carry so many people along with luggage. Despite the fact that Diana had called ahead to let them know we
would be boarding the van, the four of us were left behind to wait for another van that would come an hour later. We waited patiently and when the next van came we were nearly pushed to the ground by a young family who claimed they were there before
us (NOT!). I controlled myself and made only a couple of quiet remarks as I pushed my way between them. Too bad! What ever happened to respecting elders - especially those who waited for an hour in the rain. Anyway, we made it to the
hotel (I had already put a negative review onto Tripadvisor about the hotel shuttle service during our wait), and we were very pleased with the facilities and the service there. The Nantucket Inn was quiet, with a pretty and inviting lobby, breakfast
restaurant with a great buffet, nice pool, jacuzzi, and small fitness center (which, believe it or not, Diana and I actually used for 25 minutes - LOL).
After enduring the rain and the upset of waiting for the shuttle, we decided NOT to go into town
for dinner, but to just relax at the bar (Jim and Steve) and by the pool (Diana and me). Windall, the guys' Jamaican bartender, took good care of us. He recommended tours and bicycle rentals (so kind that he thought we were fit enough to bike around
the 48 square mile island). He also recommended where to have dinner. We listened to his advice and walked across the street to the airport restaurant for dinner. We beat the locals (the restaurant is well regarded by those in the know) and
had a good dinner as we watched a few planes landing and taking off. Don't forget, this was the setting of the TV series, WINGS, so we recalled the characters and later on "toured" the facilities, chuckling (with some concern) about the lack of security.
After walking back across the street to the Inn, we retired to our rooms and I fell asleep without even once watching TV (I think the Bonine did me in).
Thursday was beautiful with the sun shining all day. After a great buffet breakfast
at the Inn (the restaurant was named MOM's and had pictures of Roseanne Barr, Raymond's mom on Everyone Loves Raymond, and Peggy Bundy) we took the shuttle into town. There was no problem this morning and we had a nice quiet ride. Once in town,
Diana and I walked Jim and Steve over to the Whaling Museum and almost pushed them in the door so they could catch the wakling tour of town. Although they were a couple of minutes late, one of the admissions' ladies volunteered to walk them to catch
up with the group. Phew! Now Diana and I could walk, browse, and climb the stairs of the First Congregational Church for a spectacular view of the island.
After walkng, browsing, and climbing stairs were over and done with, we joined our
husbands who now had some knowledge of local history. We were now ready to embark on our island tour in Gail's (a local) Mercedes-Benz van. We travelled through the island listening to Gail's anecdotal account of island history and stopping along
the way to take pictures of the island's oldest house, windmill, and Sankaty light house. We heard how the cranberry bog was sold, which houses belonged to the rich and famous, which houses had been moved from one location to another, had been moved
back from the eroded shoreline, as well as other local history. By the time the tour was over it was 3PM and we were ready to think of making dinner arrangements. We decided we would search for a restaurant. We searched for a while together
and then the men went in one direction as Diana and I went in another. Unfortunately the restaurants that were recommended or that we found on Tripadvisor didn't serve dinner until 6 or 7 and required reservations. So what should two wives do?
Continue browsing, of course. After all this was Nantucket: a quaint little town with lots of little shops (albeit VERY expensive). I don't recall exactly how it came to be, but after a frustrating amount of time we found our husbands sitting
at NIXS bar. Diana and I, still waiting for a call back from one of the restaurants where Diana put our name on a list, joined them for some appetizers and a drink.
Many $$$ later we decided to forego the dining experience we had originally planned
on (it was already after 6PM) and we walked down to the Rose and Crown. We had a nice dinner with wonderful service at this restaurant which was once a livery stable for horses and carriages, a gas station, and an art studio. When dinner was over
we were lucky to make it back to the pick up area just as the shuttle arrived. We climbed on board with a great family from North Carolina and enjoyed conversation on our way back to Nantucket Inn (I think this was the time with the family from North Carolina;
so many people all jumble together).
Once back at the Inn (with a bottle of wine and a small bottle of Scotch in hand) we went to our room which offered a nice sitting area where the four of us could laugh and enjoy conversation before calling
it a night. Needless to say, the bottle of wine that Diana and I enjoyed was still half full while the bottle of Scotch Steve and Jim enjoyed was empty. Did I say the guys really enjoyed their day?
It was now Friday, and after getting another
good night's sleep (the Inn was extremely quiet), I was ready to head to the beach. Steve, Diana, and I headed to Surfside and Jim opted to stay in his room to relax from all the hustle and bustle. The van was once again jam packed. There
were at least 20 of us in a van for 14 people. Steve ended up sitting on a tire well; all squished into a teeny tiny little space. Fortunately the beach was only 2 and a 1/2 miles away so the ride was short.
Once there, we all emptied
out of the van like circus clowns and headed toward the ocean. It was breathtaking. Although we were there for only an hour and a half, we enjoyed the beauty and sun; taking lots of pictures of the open ocean and the waves breaking on the shore.
Back at the Inn, we checked out and rode the shuttle into town. Once again, Diana and I dropped the men off at the Whaling Museum where they could store the luggage as they got their fill of local history. Once again, Diana and I browsed
and strolled along the cobblestone streets taking in the ambiance of Nantucket.
It was time to board the ferry back to Hyannis on a glorious, sunny, Friday afternoon. The ocean was like glass upon departure, getting rough toward the middle
of the trip, and glass-like again at the end. We disembarked, grabbed our luggage from cart 44, and walked over to the parking lot. Luggage was loaded into the trunk and we began our journey home with a stop for dinner at a Thai restaurant in Hyannis.
Upon arriving at the Tuckers' home we said our farewells as Jim jokingly "rubbed it in" that he would be fast asleep in his comfortable bed before Steve and I made it home to Foster. Steve packed up the car and we drove the 20 minutes
home to our own comfortable bed and quiet house.
The LAST HURRAH was over. I will need the next couple of days to recuperate (vacations can be exhausting; especially when traveling with an energetic, fun person named D-I-A-N-A). But
overall, Nantucket was FUN and we will do it again, sometime. Here is a link to the Flipagram:
http://flipagram.com/f/HEtPk6YhiJ