As our taste of Indian Summer continues, so will my reminiscence of our trip to Nantucket in August. 
As I metioned in my last post, once we reached the island the weather for our day was beautiful with plenty of bright sunshine. The colors and natural beauty of Nantucket was visible at every turn. Beauty that showed itself in two themes in my photos: shells and flowers, both bountiful all over town.
At Jetties Beach, the shoreline was awash in slipper shells. 
We delighted in digging through the sheer volume of shells to find those special ones that came home with us. 
One thing none of us could seem to find: scallop shells. On my first trip to Nantucket (circa 1980) I remember the beach being filled with scallop shells. When we left, our bike baskets were loaded to the brim with the iconic shells in all different colors and patterns. Or so I remember it. I was rather disappointed until we were getting ready to leave the beach. 
While we were waiting for the bus back to town, I took a walk in the dune paths near the playground. Jackpot! I had no idea why all the scallop shells were partly buried in the sand dunes until Jeanne van Etten clued us in. Apparently the shells from the scallops are disposed of in the beach parking lot in the fall, in concordance with the scallop season. Additionally, the scallop "population" in Nantucket is much lower now than it was 30 years ago. Happily I did find several large {unbroken} scallop shells to collect ☺.
Back in town, Main Street was full of flowers in full color, glorious bloom. 
We saw loads of beautiful window boxes and planters in front of shops and homes all over town. 
When we stumbled upon this set up on Main Street, I really felt like I was in Nantucket. 
Such beautiful hydrangeas! And the lovely and playful floral arrangements in the Nantucket baskets! 
My favorites were definitely the succulents tucked into the shells. 
Adorable. 
No sooner had we finished admiring that curbside display, I stumbled upon this wonderful truck from Nantucket Wildflower Farm. 
Such beautiful summer flower goodness, such an awesome truck. 
Too bad she had already packed up. But a great view as the truck drove away! 
Throughout the day, shells and flowers were recurrent themes. It seemed every shop we went into had flowers outside and shells inside. I love the way she stacked the scallop shells on the stacks of books and on the wonderful chippy windowsill at shop at No. 8 Orange St. 
The Nantucket island collage with shells and sand would make a great souvenir--so clever. 
Even down on the wharf, more shells, more flowers. 
This collection of treasures was lined up along the dock as we walked along admiring the boats. 
Looks like someone had a good day by the sea ;-). The flowers and window boxes at the wharf shops were splendid. 
Maybe the salt air gives them a little extra ooomph? 
Whatever it is, Nantucket is surely a beautiful, enchanting island. 
And I can't wait to return. 
