Say it rains all day and you don’t want to spend the day at the beach, but you still have an itch to get in some beach combing. It doesn’t have to be sunny to find cool things on the beach. We usually take an evening drive on the beach, and sometimes can spot treasures from the passenger seat.

After 10 years of living here, I was shocked when my step-daughter came across a sand dollar, and then another. We found them on the South Shore in the vicinity of Fisherman’s Beach (the parking lot is marked off Nonantum Ave.). You’d be amazed what you can find if you just keep your eyes peeled. Mermaid Toenails, skate eggs, crab shells, whelk shells are the easy things to find, but don’t get discouraged! If it is a rainy day – it could even be a plus, interesting things can wash up after a storm. One rainy day on Coatue we found a survival kit complete with inflatable life raft and hard tack.

If it is a sunny day, consider renting one of my metal detectors, they are fun for all ages! Any beach is good for beach combing, the South Shore beaches and Great Point are my favorites. I love the big waves of the open ocean and the ever changing shells that wash ashore.

If you need help identifying any of your loot, check with the Maria Mitchell Association, they have a great “Field Guide to Nantucket” I highly recommend. It can be purchased at any of their properties.