Kurt Jacobson

About Kurt Jacobson

http://www.Tasteoftravel2.com

Kurt Jacobson lives in Baltimore, Maryland, and spent many years as a professional chef. Now he travels the world and shares his stories here and on other travel websites.

Posts by Kurt Jacobson:

Maryland: A Potomac Outdoor Escape

The beauty of the Potomac River is a must-see while visiting Virginia or Maryland. These whitewaters are used for Olympic athletes and regular paddlers.

Alaska: Do it Yourself Saltwater Fishing

Alaska: Save money and have an adventure with do-it-yourself fishing for halibut, king salmon, and other fish in the ice-cold waters of Alaska.

New Zealand: Finding Gisborne

Gisborne, New Zealand: the North Island’s Hidden Gem By Kurt Jacobson I stumbled upon Gisborne in a most unusual way in 2002. After my wife and I had visited New Zealand for our second time I was convinced I wanted […]

Show Notes:

In this episode of the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast, Max shares his lifelong affection for ferries — the working boats that move commuters, islanders, day‑trippers, and football fans with the same steady indifference. Ferries don’t pamper or preen, but they offer something better: a front‑row seat to the water and the most democratic view in travel. Whether you drive a G‑wagon or a beat‑up Volvo, everyone waits in the same line for the same ramp to drop.

Max reflects on the magic of that first engine shudder as the boat pulls away from the dock, the wind on deck, and the shared horizon that briefly unites a crowd of strangers. No TSA, no overhead bins, no seat assignments — just the shoreline sliding by and the slow reveal of a destination coming into focus.

This episode also explores the explosion of ferry service across New England and beyond. On Cape Cod, the Steamship Authority is preparing to open its long‑awaited new terminal in Woods Hole, a modern stone‑and‑glass gateway to Martha’s Vineyard. The arrival of the M/V Monomoy marks another milestone, bringing a quieter, larger, more reliable freight vessel into service.

Boston’s ferry network is growing fast, with new weekend service from Lynn, expanded Winthrop and Quincy routes, and system‑wide contactless payment. The MBTA’s new F‑10 line launches this June, connecting North Station to the Aquarium, the Seaport, and Logan Airport for just $2.46 each way — a rare moment of true transit progress on the waterfront.

Amesbury is preparing a small‑vessel shuttle on the Merrimack River for 2026, linking its waterfront to downtown Newburyport with quick, car‑free hops designed to ease summer traffic. And in New Jersey, Seastreak is running special Hudson River trips to West Point for Army football games — a floating tailgate party complete with a bar, snacks, and big‑screen TVs.

New York City is expanding too, with a brand‑new Staten Island–to–Brooklyn route, the first passenger ferry to make that crossing since 1964. Commuters are already embracing the traffic‑free ride and the chance to start and end their day on the water.

Through all these stories, Max returns to the same truth: ferries are the great equalizer. Once you’re on board, you’re just another traveler watching the horizon. And that’s why he keeps coming back.

Credits

Written and narrated by Max Hartshorne, Editor of GoNOMAD Travel. Produced by the GoNOMAD Travel Podcast team.

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