“Lighthouses don’t go
running all over the island
looking for boats to save;
they just stand there shining.” 
Anne Lamott

Our cruise ship, the American Star, stayed docked in Martha’s Vineyard yesterday while we took a 70-minute ferry ride to Nantucket Island. Of the places we’ve visited so far on this trip, Nantucket is my favorite so far. 

The ferry ride was relatively smooth. The catamaran-style vessel navigated the waters between the islands with ease. Upon arriving in Nantucket, we boarded a van for a fascinating tour of the island. My favorite stop along the way was at the Sankaty Head lighthouse, perched on the east end of the island. As I’ve mention in previous blog posts, I have this thing for lighthouses. This particular beacon of light, situated adjacent to a golf course, offers some excellent photo opportunities.

When the tour ended, we walked down the street to Chubby’s, a local take-out restaurant which specializes in burgers and sandwiches. The ham and tomato sandwich I ordered exceeded expectations. The bread and meat were astonishingly fresh. The sandwich came with a bag of Jamaican Jerk-flavored potato chips and an iced tea. 

As we headed back toward the ferry dock, Kathy and I stopped to get a soft-serve ice cream at the Surfside Café. It was another pleasant surprise. The vanilla soft-serve was the creamiest and best-tasting ice cream I’ve ever experienced. It was a perfect way to end our brief visit to Nantucket Island.

Upon our return to the American Star in Martha’s Vineyard, we headed directly to the dining room for dinner. The food on this cruise has been amazing, but last night’s dinner was the best meal yet. I enjoyed a plate of butternut squash ravioli. The serving size was appropriate and the taste was delicious. For dessert, I ordered a pear turnover with raspberry sauce drizzled on top. It seems that each meal on this cruise has been better than the previous ones.

After dinner, we went to the Chesapeake Lounge for another evening of musical entertainment. The duo performed a variety of songs by the local singer and songwriter James Taylor, who has homes in both Lenox, Massachusetts and Jamestown, Rhode Island. 

Living in the Santa Clara Valley, I don’t see too many lighthouses in my daily comings and goings, but here in the New England islands, lighthouses are a normal part of the landscape. They provide a constant reminder of the importance of hope in our lives. As true beacons of light, lighthouses illuminate the night sky providing guidance for passing vessels. We, too, are invited and challenged to serve as beacons of light for those around us.