Landmark Journey 2015: May 20 Nantucket

After a rainy day yesterday (I did get my oil change done at a local Dodge dealership) we planned to visit Nantucket. It started off a little hectic as we noticed after sleeping in a bit we needed to catch the high speed ferry scheduled for 11AM; we had 45 minutes which we knew would be tight. After rushing and dropping off Caroline off at the terminal, I needed to park reeeeal quick. I found a lot across the street but as I was running (I had 4 minutes I was told to get back to catch the ferry), and seeing no attendant I kept on running what felt like an 800 meter dash. Needless to say I was running out of steam quick. Then I saw a ferry attendant motioning what looked first like hurry. Then realized he was using the sign to slow down; I now apparently had lots of time. Well we were still the last ones on and they had mentioned to Caroline they would hold the ferry for me! 5 attendants were very impressed with my speed for a grey bearded guy; I told them I thought I would now enter the Seniors Olympics! :)
After a 45 minute high speed ride we arrived in the port of Nantucket and began our explore; we first started walking the dock area and came to a booth which offered a narrative tour of the island which we took. The history dates back to the 1600's where the island was first inhabited and claimed by the British (who else!). It became a huge whaling port initially, then a sheep island, then a cranberry mecca, now a real tourist trap. It was fairly busy in our eyes; I can well imagine how crazy it starts getting after Memorial day weekend which is this next weekend.
The island has 4 golf courses, 3 of which are private. One has an initial initiation fee some 15 years ago for $100,000.00 (yes that's correct) with only 200 memberships bought. A member cant will it, gift it; when they die they simply lose it. They then hold an auction. The last auction 3 years ago netted $1,000,000.00 for the membership!!! Now that's what I call reeealy exclusive. Homes on the water here go in the $10-15 million range. And we thought West Van $15 mil was expensive. And the largest home was maybe around 8-9 thousand square feet.
After the tour we went shoppe! Bought some neat stuff. There aren't many restaurants in the town, we found a little pub and had an early dinner.
One thing to note also, there are no Starbucks, Mcdonalds, Lowes, Home depot; no chain establishments. Nantucket has made a point to allow original business's to continue to flourish; many have been kept in the family for many generations. Kinda nostalgic I think.
After a 45 minute fast ferry back, I kept thinking my truck might have been towed since I hadn't paid. Well after walking the 800 meters back I met the attendant in the lot before I got to my truck and gave him the sob story about rushing and not finding anyone.....he said no problem "we usually give one warning|". I paid him promptly and headed back home to watch a nice sunset on the lake . A busy but good day.

Nantuckets welcome sign

these houses here along the waterfront in the core of the town sell for over $3 million dollars!!!

the oldest house in Nantucket, built in the 1600's

$1,000,000.00 membership for this golf course. Apparently they have a caddie school which according to the bus driver has taught many PGA tour caddies (i'll have to check this fact out)