Making Waves at Soundwaves

Hello again fellow adventurers!

This past weekend was filled with blue skies and live music once again as I took part in the annual Soundwaves event at Spectacle Island! Although we weren't on the spacious New Boston this time around, the Samuel Clemens proved to be a worthy vessel. Filled to the brim with music junkies, fans and bands alike, we danced and sang our way out to Spectacle Island.

The Samuel Clemens

Once we arrived at the island, the majority of the crowd disembarked to find a nice spot to post up and listen to the bands. With smooth blues music filling the air, many people took to the beach. The cool waters surrounding Spectacle provided much needed relief from the hot sun. All topped off with a hotdog and a soda, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of Soundwaves! 

The Final Act of the Day!

If I had to chose a highlight of the day, I think it would have to be the performance put on by the final band. When I woke up on Saturday morning, I could not have guessed that later that day I would have been singing and dancing along to "My Girl" with a bunch of strangers I had never met before, but at the end of the trip that is exactly what happened! No matter how many times I go out to the Boston Harbor Islands, I always find a way to do something I've never done before. Soundwaves was an amazing event that I would certainly love to partake in again next year. 

Until next time, keep on exploring!

-Luke C

A Harbor for Everyone

Hi everyone!

It has been another great week at Save the Harbor! This Saturday I had the pleasure of working alongside some of my wonderful coworkers in assisting with an event known as Soundwaves 2016! Save the Harbor Save the Bay teams up with Mass DCR and Rhythm Room Entertainment to put on this event that is a blast to all who are a part - workers and attendees alike! We boarded and left Rowes Wharf at noon, and cruised out to Spectacle Island to enjoy sunshine, waves, and some good old fashioned live blues music. The boat was full of adults with a serious appreciation for blues music, and an equal appreciation and admiration for the beautiful harbor. Some people stayed on the boat and enjoyed the live music the whole day, while others took to the island for a dip in the ocean, or a walk up the trails.

View of the boat and the skyline from the island - what a beautiful day!

While Save the Harbor's summer programs primarily focus on teaching the city's youth about the harbor and everything it can provide for them, this event showed me that the harbor is truly there for all of us to enjoy, and for the use of many different activities. Sometimes the harbor is there for a 5 year old boy visiting Boston for the first time to catch his first fish on his way into the Children's Museum. Other times, the harbor is there to facilitate a boat ride in which a 60 year old woman rocks some guitar sunglasses and a blinged-out skirt while dancing away to her favorite blues song. The harbor truly is there for each and every one of us, regardless of our hobbies and interests. I believe that every single person can find something they love about this harbor, and I am so thankful to see these experiences take place firsthand.

Until next time!
Jessie G.

Riding the Waves of Sound on SoundWaves

Blues music floated across the waves as the "New Boston" made its way to Spectacle Island on its annual SoundWaves event, sponsored by Save the Harbor. The musical journey was bursting with dancing and joy and created a fun atmosphere for the entire dock at Spectacle. We, Ashley and Liz, stayed for a bit to watch people dance and tap their toes to the beat but eventually headed off to Patty and Bruce's boat from Save the Harbor.  


Enjoying the music from their boat and eating a delicious meal was a great start to the afternoon, and we eventually decided to explore beautiful Spectacle Island, including the “treasure beach.” Frist we climbed to the top of the island to view the beautiful city of Boston as well as the other islands. Though it was quite a hike it ended up being worth the view. 

Next we sauntered on over to the "treasure beach" and hunted for unusual colors of sea glass. On our hunt we found some bright green and light purple glass that, in the overcast sky, highlighted the beach. As beautiful as all the colors were that couldn't keep us from noticing the dark storm clouds rolling in from all sides of the island. We immediately headed back to the safety of our bustling boat of blues and enjoyed the tunes till we departed. 

As the story goes with rain clouds, it began to pour buckets and buckets as we floated through the harbor. Unfortunately the rain didn't let up by the time we docked at Rowes Wharf and we both had a long journey home awaiting us. Luckily, there just happened to be a warm café across the street from the Boston Harbor Hotel where delicious hot chocolate awaited us. 


From sun shine to rain, the SoundWaves cruise was a blast all the way through. We both met some great people and enjoyed the wonders of Boston harbor. Take it from two girls who just recently moved to Boston, if you haven't gotten out this summer to enjoy the harbor and it's beauty then you better get on your way! It's right at your fingertips! 

-Liz Allen & Ashley Wakefield 

Soundwaves 2008

This Saturday, I had the awesome opportunity to go on Soundwaves 2008. Supported by Mass Bay Lines, Soundwaves 2008 is a Blues festival to support Save the Harbor. We left Rowes Wharf at about noon, and almost immediately began enjoying the Blues music played on our ferry. After only a half hour, the boat reached Spectacle Island, where dozens of other boats showed up to dock and anchor and enjoy the music. Even people who were visiting the island to go to the beach had a great time coming up the pier and getting close to the music. Later that day, Aimee and I walked down the wrackline of Spectacle Island, checking out all the razor clam shells, sea glass, and animals that had washed up on the beach. We even saw a really unique-looking bird, which we later identified as an Oystercatcher. Getting back on the boat, we headed back to downtown Boston as many boats followed us, enjoying the last of the music on the trip home. Spectacle Island has come a long way from its days as a city dump and is now a truly incredible place to visit.

-Pat