Exploring Nantucket Archives

Reel ‘til You Feel

September 28, 2023

It’s been almost a month since the awesome August Blues tournament ended, and my butt is still sore from getting beat out on the Gator Blue prize for the biggest bluefish. A fine young fisher named Gray Malitsky knocked me to the canvas and stood over me like a young Cassius Clay (aka Muhammad Ali) did to Sonny Liston, beating me with his 36.5 inch monster blue. In the weeks since my humiliating, soulcrushing, “…to the death! No, to the pain” style defeat, I have learned some things about Gray, this mysterious young champion. And what I’ve learned is far too great to not share with you all, so here goes.

Exploring Nantucket

The Winners Are…

September 28, 2023

For more than three decades we’ve invited all who live on and visit the island to enter our annual Nantucket Photo Contest. Our readers enthusiastically participate: every year we receive hundreds of their favorite views of Nantucket. This year we had nearly as many photos of sunrises as of sunsets: […]

Exploring Nantucket, Nantucket Arts, Nantucket Events

They Are Ohana

August 17, 2023

The islands of Nantucket and Lahaina have been intertwined since the early 1800s, when Nantucket whalemen first sailed to what would become a bustling port. In 1824, 100 whaleships visited the islands: by 1846, 736 stopped there, most of them from Nantucket or New Bedford.

Exploring Nantucket, Nantucket Essays

Wild, Wild West

August 10, 2023

We humans tend to be territorial. People hang out in areas that they like, staying in their comfort zones. Also, we generally stick to routines and, thus, can be fairly predictable. For example, my wife and I have our favorite spot where we sit for church every Sunday. We would be all out of sorts if we had to move to a different location. Doesn’t make a lot of sense, does it? No, but that’s how humans are. And all of these strange traits are directly applicable to us fishing folks, to be sure.

Exploring Nantucket

A Shaded Walk Through Time

August 10, 2023

Living on the island year-round, we have to mix up our walking and hiking trails. I have two dogs that need exercise (and love water). I can easily get in a rut and rotate through the same three or four trails every week. Over the past years, I have made an effort to try new trails (or trails that are new to me) or to return to areas I thought I knew but haven’t visited in a while. With more than 9,000 acres under protection as open space, we are lucky to have so many trails on Nantucket to choose from!

Exploring Nantucket, Nantucket History & People, Nantucket Style

Still Surfing after All These Years

August 10, 2023

When you step through the door at 50 Main Street, you step into a combination of past and present.

An impressive array of rare and vintage timepieces dominates the front of The Trinity Collection. These exquisite, sophisticated watches were curated by owner E. Townsend Wright III, who delights in helping his patrons find the perfect timepiece to match their personality and their style. Many of his clients know him from visiting his shop in Palm Beach during the winter and are delighted to find him on Nantucket’s Main Street from June through September.

Exploring Nantucket, Nantucket Style

Go Back to School in Robbies

August 3, 2023

Native Shoes is an innovative and unique approach to footwear, and lucky for us the only one in the US is right here on Nantucket. Beth Thomas, the island store’s retail manager, says Native’s motto is “Live lightly: everything we do here is to create a comfortable versatile lightweight shoe that is better for the planet.” This is true in every aspect of the company the shoes are a lightweight material, and have a light environmental impact, and the sunny disposition of the workers at the Nantucket store is sure to lighten your day.

Exploring Nantucket, Island Science

Covered in Glitter & Ready to Party

August 3, 2023

If you’ve ever seen the 1993 movie Tombstone, you’ve heard the iconic line, “I’m your huckleberry” that Doc Holiday says to Wyatt Earp. It’s a way of saying that he’s just the right person for the job. So, when it comes to eating wild huckleberries? Well, “I’m your…” you get the idea.

Exploring Nantucket, Insider Tips

Maritime Fun for All

August 3, 2023

This summer Egan Maritime Institute is offering free daily family programs at the Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum Monday through Friday outside on the Museum’s grounds from 10 am to 3 pm. In addition to tried-and-true favorites, like rope making and knot tying, they have added new and updated activities for different ages and learning styles. These activities include a focus on art and design, as well as opportunities to learn about traditional boat building.