At the end of July, we took a vacation to Boston and Nantucket. We hadn't planned on taking a "big" summer vacation this year, but as we were inching closer to Emma's first year of Kindergarten, I had an itch to get out and go on one last adventure.
We decided on a trip to Sconset (Siasconset Massachusetts on Nantucket) after years of drooling over
Tessa's vacation photos. Mike had a work trip to Boston planned, so Emma and I tagged along, then we all headed out to Nantucket. As I told Tessa, I just wanted to get eyes on it. Tessa said, take a deep breath for me - it smells like heaven. She was so right. I tried to convey the feeling of being there through these photos, but really the scent of the roses and the blooming privet, the light, the salty breeze, and the overwhelming feeling of slowing down and being removed from the rest of the world was hard to capture. It was breathtakingly beautiful in both a natural and manicured way. Everything surface was either lushly green, blooming, or weathered wood, stone or shells. The homes feel comfortable and well worn, removed from time and trends in the most lovely manner. We loved it and will return soon.
For those not familiar with the area, Nantucket is an island off of the coast of Cape Cod. Siasconset (known as 'Sconset) is on the southeastern most edge of the island. It is a little village that was established as a fishing and whaling village in the 1600s.
This view gives you an idea of how small and remote Sconset is - out by itself on the edge of the ocean. There is a town center with a market, sandwich shop and a couple of inns and cafes.
This view (found online) gives you an idea of how the entire area feels - cozy little plots with lush green hedges and weathered shake homes... with the ocean just steps away.
If feels so old fashioned with flagpoles in almost every yard, manicured gardens and hardly any cars. We biked everywhere in sconset and used uber to go into Nantucket Town occasionally.
Now, back to photos from our trip :
The Ferry ride over to the island.
This was our rental home,
Sunday Cottage. It was about 2 blocks from the Ocean Bluff Walk and one mile from the village center of Sconset. It was a guest house of a larger home, but felt very private.
These are photos I took on our first day, as we walked into the village center, trying to take everything in.
I fell IN LOVE with
this home (and several others), but decided this is the home we will stay in next time.
It could be in a Nancy Meyers movie.
See what I mean about weathered in the most wonderful way? Nothing seems (or feels) manufactured. I love it. This town is the kind of place that makes you want live here, not just visit here.
Emma called these Cotton Candy Hydrangeas.
When your drink of choice matches your shirt.
On our walk to dinner at the Sconset Cafe the first night.
A pop in to "the book store."
Doesn't this look very chic?
Until you look inside! Emma's request, of course.
Emma ran the entire time on the bluff walk - it was so nice for her to be free to roam.
The Bluff Walk is a public way foot path that goes through the gardens of the homes that are on the ocean. This was my favorite part, to be able to see their gardens and homes on one side and the ocean on the other.This photo gives you an idea of the light there. It is so dynamic.
We went into Nantucket Town on another dreary day for some exploring. I love Nantucket Light Ship Baskets.
A visit to Flowers on Chestnut.
I am obsessed with this store. It is everything I love. I imagined that if I had a store in real life (vs. online) this is what I'd want it to be.
The most gorgeous fresh flowers. The entire placed smelled like lilies.
Pine chess, ship painting, blue and white + hydrangeas.
We had emma re-create a photo from our first trip to Nantucket when she was 2. Can you tell she picks her own clothes out now? ; )
It couldn't be Nantucket (or New England) without a couple of grey dreary days.
I love this tiny little shack with its tiny little garden filled with herbs and flowers. So utilitarian and beautiful. Makes me want to scale down everything.
And then, in perfect Nantucket fashion, the clouds parted, we stopped taking photos and we started laying on the beach :
Oh what I would give to be laying on that beach or walking that bluff walk this morning.
Until next time, Sconset.