New England - - - Fall 2007 Nantucket (ACK for short) is one of the most beautiful spots in the country. Bob and I were able to spend some time there this fall. Rob and Adam’s softball buddy and good friend, Bruce, allowed us to use his house there for ten days in late September. It was Bob’s first visit, while I’d visited the island several times. Rob and Bruce’s son, Mark, were middle and high school buddies. I was lucky to have been a good friend of Meredith, Mark’s mom, so Rob and I visited there often. Going back was very special for me. While there’s been a lot of building and many changes (read that as lots of new $$$), the island is much the same as it was on our earlier visits. After an overnight in a really odd motel in Hyannis (Read my review), we took an early ferry on a sunny and warm day. After a lobster roll and captain’s platter for lunch, we dropped in at Mark’s sister’s store to say “hi” and then we headed for Madaket to get a good night’s sleep. Next day we explored the island, did some shopping and searched out Meredith; it was wonderful to see her again. We played tourists to the hilt - touring the Whaling Museum, hearing the lectures about the history of the industry and the background story that inspired Moby Dick. 
We toured the Oldest House, the Old Gaol, the Hadwen House, the Old Firehouse and the Old Mill. We spent an afternoon at the Lightship Basket Museum. My takeaway was a kit and a prayer. I hope to make my own Nantucket Lightship basket. Wish I’d bought one on a previous visit; they cost thousands of dollars now!! What was once a fast food style diner at the airport is now “Alice’s Restaurant” – so-so food and lousy service, but as we met an old friend, Charlotte, for brunch, we didn’t mind the delay. She hasn’t changed – amazing! Madaket sunsets, too, are as extraordinary as I remembered, despite new homes blocking some of the view. Even if we had special-ordered the weather, it may have fallen short of the ten days we experienced. We walked seven of Nantucket’s beautiful beaches and dined al fresco in shorts almost every day. The island’s legendary fog held off until we boarded the ferry for the trip back to the mainland. I can’t wait to go back! Thanks, Bruce!!! (See the photos)
After ACK, we headed to our camp in Maine. We were greeted by evidence of yet another incursion by the neighborhood burglar. A 1:00 am visit by a seven foot tall State Trooper and a little cleanup started our stay on a lousy note, but morning brushed away all the night’s negative memories. What followed was another stretch of glorious weather, startlingly beautiful fall colors . . . and many a delicious lobster dinner. We had a fun evening with the Gaspars and a weekend stay with Don and Terry. (Too bad we had to watch the Sox win.) I took dozens of landscape photos (See them here), because one sight was more beautiful than the last. While at camp we made several big decisions. The kids love the camp. It holds countless memories for them and us. We won’t be selling it. So . . . we’ll be doing a little renovating to make it more usable for the family’s future. We’ve begun the process of adding some space and sprucing up the current interior. Yes, another Borman building project. What else is new? Bob drew plans and contacted contractors . . . and we’re off!
A week in NY allowed us to catch up with the kids and some friends before we headed back to NC. Taking the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel was a first for us – no shorter, but the drive was much less stressful than I-95 via Baltimore and DC. We’ll likely do it again, at least to check out the restaurant and gift shop on one of the islands on the span.
Great vacation! Back to Mah Jongg!!!
We toured the Oldest House, the Old Gaol, the Hadwen House, the Old Firehouse and the Old Mill. We spent an afternoon at the 
