Every Monday, you will get to read a post by a twenty-something answering some questions about their weekend, how they balance financial needs and brunch needs, their favorite spots around town and whether everyone really experiences FOMO. If you want to be featured, email edition@anotherlongweekend.com
Name, Age, Hometown and Occupation
Andrew, 22, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, recent college graduate.
WHAT WERE YOUR ORIGINAL PLANS FOR THE WEEKEND AS OF FRIDAY AFTERNOON? DID ANY FALL THROUGH?
As of Friday afternoon, I had a few pretty fun plans for spending the weekend on Cape Cod and the Islands. The weekend was the culmination of Nantucket Race Week, a yachting series on Nantucket to raise money for youth sailing. The end goal was to sail on my friend’s boat and take part in the island festivities.
First, however, I had planed to spend time with some friends at a pool on Friday, before racing in a small sailing race on Saturday. Eventually, I intended to go Nantucket Saturday afternoon, and come back Saturday night to run the Falmouth Road Race on Sunday.
All plans exceeded expectations. Friday started wonderfully with a early am bike ride, before doing some work at home and getting in a quick run before heading over to my friend’s house to hang with a few friends at the pool. Immediately, things changed. A squal blew in off of the water and the pool plans turned into a night of champagne and caviar hunkered down in the dock house. The weather got much worse and I was forced to spend the night on my friend’s island neighborhood because of flash flooding and heavy winds.
Saturday morning, I got up early and prepared for my sailing race in Hyannisport. Unfortunately, the storm went back out to sea and left a large low pressure system in its path. As a result, there was no wind and the race was cancelled.
It was a quick regroup before heading over to Nantucket with my friend Jamie to meet up with the crew of the larger boat currently racing in the Nantucket Regatta. After an exciting ferry ride over, we dropped our bags off on the boat and headed straight to the Nantucket Yacht Club to find the crew. There we found our skipper. It was a quick decision, but after talking to the crew, I decided to forgo my road race in the morning and stay the night on Nantucket and help sail the boat in the morning.
Walking out of the yacht club, I started talking with a few representatives from BMW who were there sponsoring the racing. They offered me and my friend a car to test out. While Chase, the skipper, celebrated his trophy finish and took a shower, Jamie and I took the sports car around the island before returning to the party hosted by BMW. The chairman of the Americas Cup gave a brief talk to the guests, but after awhile, we decided to head back to the boat and join in on the celebration. The night took off from there.
The builder of the boat was showing it off to guests and we all took part in the party before hopping around the Nantucket bar scene.
After a quick lobster salad dinner, the crew went around Town stopping in at some notable places including The Chicken Box, the Gazebo, The Rose and Crown, and The Brotherhood of Thieves. Upon returning to the boat, the crew crashed pretty hard – resting before the morning’s sailing.
Sunrise brought a new day of sailing fun. There was a necessary trip to Provisions to grab breakfast and then, to the Bean to get some much needed coffee. It was then back to the boat basin to prepare for sailing and wishing the other racers good luck. There was one more trip into Town to grab some sushi to pack for lunch, along with some drinks.
We had some new friends onboard heading out to Nantucket Sound. We watched the culmination of the Race Week, including the rainbow boat parade by Brant Point and the classic yacht Opera House Cup race well off shore. Jamie skippered the first part of the journey before I took over, and then passed it on to others.
After watching the sailing along with some fine mega-yachts, the crew headed the boat back to Nantucket Harbor. Both Jamie and I acted quickly to make our ferry home to Hyannis, stopping to get some Nantucket dollar slice ($4.00 plus tax) and some salad first. There was of course the inevitable stop at the Juice bar to enjoy a sampling of the infamous amaretto chip ice cream and seeing some friends.
The weekend turned out to be one on my most memorable. There is a life planned and a life learned. Learning on Nantucket can be difficult, but this trip exceeded all expectation. It was an amazing time hanging with beautiful people in a truly beautiful place. Above all it was nice to do my favorite things with some great friends.
HOW MUCH MONEY DID YOU SPEND?
I spent about $250 dollars among drinks, food and ferry tickets. I was lucky to have most of the events covered by the sponsors. If it was not, the bill would have been above triple digits. It was also cost efficient to sleep on the boat instead of putting out for a room at the White Elephant Hotel.
WERE YOU HAPPY WITH HOW YOUR WEEKEND TURNED OUT? WAS THERE ANYTHING YOU WISHED YOU DID?
The weekend was an amazing success. I had a tremendous time, and only have a few things I wish happened. the only downside was not being able to skipper my own race on Saturday.
ANY FUN PLANS FOR NEXT WEEKEND?
Next weekend I am off to Berlin, Copenhagen, and Ireland to spend time with some old friends and run a marathon with some new ones.
YOUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BEST SPOT ON THE WEEKENDS?
If you’re on Nantucket the best place to grab coffee is the Bean on India Street. The best dinner is at the MET on Main, the best drinks are at the CRU by the boat basin. Finally, it goes without saying, the Juice Bar scoops the best ice cream (my favorite is amaretto chip). Make sure Kyle is your scooper!
ANYTHING YOU WANT TO TELL OUR READERS?
I want to draw attention to youth sailing and the money Nantucket Race Week raises for the cause. This sounds like a extra-ordinary time, and it was. I am incredibly blessed and want to thank my friends for having me around!
Follow Andrew on Instagram at @papalacci! Check out The Weekend Edition every week to read all about the weekends of young millennials in the area! If you would like to be featured, email edition@anotherlongweekend.com
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