Grape Island

This Labor Day weekend, we and two other couples decided to camp out on Grape Island, one of the 34 islands speckled throughout Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.  While the island is only 9 miles from downtown Boston, the seaside island setting makes it seem like you are a world away.  It is a true primitive experience camping on the island with no running water or shelter of any sort.  Getting to the island is no easy task either. From our apartment, we walked to the T, rode two subways, walked to the ferry terminal on Long Warf, and took two ferries to the island (one ferry of which the driver appeared to have never driven a boat before); all while carrying our camping gear, food, water, and clothing for the weekend.  Lets just say we got a few interesting looks from our fellow T riders.  The trip, however, was well worth it.  Grape Island is a wildlife haven home to deer, fox, and several varieties of edible plants and berries (including grapes).  The island also hosts several grassy trails to explore, an interpretive trail highlighting the island's history, and daily wild edible tours lead by a ranger.  Highlights from the trip include exploring the island, stone skipping contests, taking pictures, wild edible tastings, watching the sun set over the Boston skyline, and building a fire on the beach.  We had a wonderful time and are already thinking about going back next year.