Boating far away from the inner city, is always a fun thing to partake in.  Especially when its 8:30AM on a Sunday and your day dreaming about either a deserted island, a private beach, or just a place to get some fresh air and escape.  That’s when Peddock’s Island steps in, transforming your silly day dreams into an unusual reality close to home.

Located right between the diverse landscape of Hull, MA and the empty fortresses that lie quiet on Georges and Spectacle Island, Peddock’s island is the largest and most diverse island in Boston Harbor.  Paddock’s was one of the many islands to be inhabited by Native Americans and was later used throughout World War II to station militia in the 1900’s.  The island still considered home to many locals.  A great place for exploration, curiosity and a little mystery, the great fortress Fort Andrews quietly waits for a brave soul to enter its cold, brick cambers and breath in the air that once ran in the lungs of over 600 militia, stationed and imprisoned on the island.  However, the island has much changed since that time.  Words once heavily  engraved above a luscious courtyard are now delicately carved, eroded by trees and vines twisting through and making tunnels even darker than before in an sly attempt to cover up the past; it’s strange to see the physical deterioration of fortress that society once ferociously depended on.

However nothing is quiet lost yet.   In the middle of the island, beyond the thick, tunnel like brush and right before the long narrow sand bar, there is a tiny town still pressing on, partying…presumably…but nevertheless, carrying on the traditions of their ancestors and the past inhabitants of the island.  Proving that life continues on, even in the smallest of places and perhaps the most surprising.

Little known fact: Recently, Peddock’s Island served as scenic inspiration for the 2010 Martin Scorsese film Shutter Island.