September 27, 2023. Mystic, CT to Nantucket, MA.

Today, we made our way to Hyannis, Massachusetts to take the high speed ferry over to Nantucket, a place that Lorna has wanted to visit for a long time.

But first, we wanted to walk around the historical downtown of Mystic. It was a beautiful morning. Many shops were not yet open as we needed to get an early jump on the 2 1/2 hour drive to Hyannis to meet the 2 o’clock ferry.

Mystic was settled in the 17th century by English colonists. It was originally known as “Mistick” and was established as a shipbuilding and fishing community along the Mystic River.

Mystic played a significant role in the American whaling industry during the 19th century. The area was home to several shipyards that constructed whaling ships, and many local residents were involved in whaling voyages. The Mystic Seaport Museum, founded in 1929, preserves this maritime heritage and features a recreated 19th-century coastal village with historic ships and buildings.

Mystic has made significant efforts to preserve its historic character. The town is home to many well-preserved 18th and 19th-century homes and buildings, contributing to its charming and timeless ambiance.

The scenic Mystic River flows through the heart of the village, offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.

We walked around this quaint town…a bank turned into a brewery along Main Street was interesting…

What’s a visit to Mystic without a visit to Mystic Pizza celebrated in the 1988 film starring Julia Roberts? It wasn’t open yet so got some pics outside. We may go back in a couple of days for a slice as we’ll be driving right by Mystic again.

Another popular business in town is the Sift Bake Shop. Sift is renowned for its gourmet baked goods, including a wide variety of artisanal bread, pastries, cakes, and cupcakes. They are known for their high-quality ingredients and creative flavor combinations.

It gained national recognition when its owner, Adam Young, won the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” competition. This win brought even more attention to their delicious cupcakes.

Just a few of their creations…

Macaroons in a variety of flavors!

We couldn’t resist getting a couple of croissants and lattes to start the day.

The Mystic River Bascule Bridge, also known as the Mystic Drawbridge, was built in 1920 and is an iconic symbol of the town. It’s one of the last remaining movable bridges of its kind in the United States and continues to operate today, allowing boats to pass through the Mystic River.

The big concrete blocks are the counter weights that help to raise the bridge when they’re lowered.

The bridge from the other side in the fully upright position as the cars await the boats passage.

It was tough to leave Mystic, but we needed to make some headway towards Hyannis to catch the Nantucket Ferry.

Cool design with various ropes.

LOL!

When we got to Hyannis and parked the car for the next couple of days, we grabbed lunch at Spanky’s Clam Shack right on the wharf. It was great to get some local clams and oysters on the half shell.