You know, the thing about beaches is that they tend to reflect the nature of the place. The beaches along Highway 1 in California all tend to favor sports and sun-bathing, in keeping with the character of the residents. The beaches at the Point Reese National Seashore were actually beautiful and rugged and wild. I mean, you can hardly call soft sand rugged, but that's the impression you get - Pristine and something wild about it, untainted by man. Which also happens to be exactly how you would describe the entire area. The long unbroken stretch of sand at Nags Head, NC looks and seems and acts and behaves like a last line of defence between mankind and the invading ocean. And it is. The  Islands of the Outer Banks are actually barriers, and regularly get whipped by incoming storms. The beaches on the NJ shores are all very clean and kinda laidback, much as they towns they front.

Now that you're half asleep, let me come to the point. Which is that the Cape Cod beaches, where I'm at now, are just as frickin' sleepy and half-dead, as the genteels in Boston and the rich fat-cats who live in the mansions off the waters here are. They call Florida one big retirement home, but actually, Florida is much more alive and full of vigor as compared to Cape Cod. Nantucket Island is a place designed and maintained to let life pass you by as you loll on one of the beaches, which is just fine by me.

The most activity that anyone can rouse themselves for is to build sandcastles using teeny-weeny shovels and buckets. I tell you, even the shovels and buckets which the kids were toting around looked like they were made of money. that's the stink of the East Coast liberals. Not to mention the windsurfers and the sailboats and the primped-up upitty folks. Its all enough to make you want to puke. I mean, its not about them being rich or liberal, there's lots of that in New York City, and the thought never even crossed my mind there. The problem here is that these guys think they're the cream, and the rest of the gang is just there to keep them on top. You can see it their eyes. Most of the beachfront area in Nantucket is private property, and if you try to get fresh, you'll likely be kicked out or called in by the cops for a chat.

I don't want this to go off into a rant, so let me just round with what's good at Nantucket. The beach at Madaket has a lovely view, and if you hang around in the evenings, the setting sun is a show all by itself. Children's Beach, as the name suggests, is a great place for families, with all kinds of facilities and parks and playgrounds. If you're in the mood for some ocean-side entertainment and dining, Jetties Beach has some neat restaurants, a boardwalk, tennis courts and stuff to keep you entertained. Surfing fans need to go to either Miacomet or Cisco. And there's romance in the air at Brant Point, which has a neat lighthouse, great views and nice spots to spend the day just lazing around.

Had a really good day today seeing all the historic sites on the island with Sallie (a girl I met in the hostel from Ohio). We did it all on the bikes, was alot of fun and interesting - learnt lots about the island. Quite a few of the sights had guides, who were all real characters. Found out that a woman called Maria Mitchell grew up here and went on to become the first female astronomer and subsequently an activist promoting the education of woman.

Sunday 10th:

Hostel life slightly wearing me down, got woken early again this morning (haven't slept past 7am since leaving Shelter Island) by the Girl Scouts...grrr!

Today went to Whaling museum completing the sightseeing tour and then went to exhibition called 'Gutsy Gals' about women from the island (particularly Maria Mitchell and other Quakers). I copied down this little rhyme (1855) because I thought it was funny...

"Then I'll haste to wed a sailor, and send him off to sea,

for a life of independence is the pleasant life for me...

I'll cry for his departure, then laugh because I'm free"

In the afternoon I headed for a beach to chill out. It really is beautiful here.

Today has been rather challenging! By the time I reached Hyannis (where the ferry to Nantucket goes from) my feet were already hurting from carrying the pack with unbroken in shoes. Ferry ride to Nantucket is 2 hours and 15 minutes, which was pretty boring. I had the worst coffee cake I've ever tasted (I'm not sure I would have known it was coffee if they hadn't told me!) Yuck.

Arrive in Nantucket, seems very nice, busy and I realise I have no idea how to get to the hostel! I popped in to a little shop to ask and they told me the bus could take me a little way, then I had to walk 2 miles...i mean are you joking, with a pbackpack and blisters...this did not put me in my happy place! So I get the bus, I get off seemingly in the middle of know where faced with a road as long as the eye can see. I start walking and soon decide to take off the birkenstocks, which provided some relief. I have to admit I was feeling pretty sorry for myself when a lady pulled over and offered me a ride to the hostel, she looked ok and by the point it seemed like a miracle. It turns out she was a teacher on the island so I got some good local knowledge from chatting with her. Even better she said she was heading back to town so I could catch a ride to pick up a (very much needed) bicycle and some supplies for dinner.

I got a bike with a basket...all very quaint i know...the island was like Olde England though. Then headed back to hostel, testing out by riding and map reading skills...both surprisingly successful.

Back at the hostel, I find out a whole bunch of Girl Scouts were also staying there...great kids, this I thought was not going to be fun. To my relief I soon met 3 Irish guys, who seemed nice .