A Day On Martha's Vineyard
 

With two free days available in Providence, Rhode Island, I get an opportunity to visit Martha's Vineyard and completely enjoyed it!

Massachusetts, A Day On Martha's V

Checking in at Cape Air Gate 1A my backpack is weighed and I am asked how many dozen Dunkin Donuts I have ate since arriving at TF Green International Airport (known as Providence Airport (PVD) to non-locals).

Weight? 200 plus or minus fifty pounds. Passing the weight test, I am allowed to retrieve my backpack then wait with eight other passengers for our flight to be boarded. Once at the airplane a Cessna 402 we are boarded according to weight. For some reason, I am not the last one to board. Is it because I still have powder sugar on my lips?

On board we are given a quick safety briefing and before long we are airborne to Martha's Vineyard only a 25 minute flight on Cape Air from Providence (PVD). There is also daily ferry boat service from New Bedford, Rhode Island which takes about 90 minutes to make the crossing.

Today the weather is beautiful and from about an altitude of 3000 feet we have nice view of the New England coastline as we cross Rhode Island Sound. With good visibility it does not seem long before Martha's Vineyard comes into view. A few bumps on our landing approach then a smooth touchdown welcomes us to playground of America's “Rich And Famous”. I am joining the likes of Martha Stewart, JFK, The Clintons and even President Obama in spending a summer day at “The Vineyard”.

Deplaning we are gathered in a group and allowed to take pictures before we are escorted off the ramp. The ramp exit leads to the airport parking lot and local bus stop or baggage claim area inside the airport building.

It not a long wait before I board Bus No.6 for Edgartown, the island's first settlement established in 1642. There is also a Bus No.9 for Oaks Bluff another popular island destination. To both towns the bus fare is a steal for only $1.00. A taxicab will set you back about $25.00 unless it is coming from your campaign vacation fund.

The ride to Edgartown last about 20 minutes along a green flanked road with a parallel bicycle path. Our final stop is at the Visitor's Center on Church Street. This is the main bus stop with connections to all other parts of the island. A line is already formed for passengers traveling to Oaks Bluff a popular spot on Martha's Vineyard. Bus service there is every 15 minutes.

Leaving the bus stop, a right turn on Winter Street and I am at St. Andrew Church. The stained glass windows made by Louis C. Tiffany along with the pulpit, the bow of a dory from the schooner Northern Lights which use to be one of the largest ships in Edgartown harbor, reveals a bit of the town history. St Andrew's was built in 1899.

A few blocks down quaint streets and I am at the Town Wharf. The harbor is busy and it seems I picked the right day to visit. The weather and scenery could hardly be any better. I think others like myself feel the same way as there are smiles and laughter everywhere. The shared excitement of being here is in the air, a good, good vibration.

Across the harbor is the famous Chappaquiddick Island where Mary Jo Kopechne was found dead in a car belonging to Senator Ted Kennedy. The stain of it's past history is long gone as tourist regularly visit the island for it beaches, kayaking, biking and great outdoors.

Purchasing a ticket to board the On Time ferry for a visit to Chappaquiddick, I am threatened to be charged a higher fare. Wearing a New York Yankees baseball cap does not go over well in BoSox Nation. A little friendly banter and I am given a smiling Red Sox pardon.

The ferry ride is less than 3 minutes. If I had my Speedo's I think I could swim the crossing just as fast. Looking back across the bay I enjoy a view of Edgartown from a small beach near the ferry landing. As boats pass by on a gorgeous warm afternoon it takes a little brain processing to realize that I am not in the tropics but in New England. Spectacular homes lined the waterfront, some dating back to the 1800's when Edgartown was a major whaling port.

Another On Time ferry ride and I am back in Edgartown. At the Town Wharf I climb a set of stairs for an elevated glimpse of this charming town. I also get a bird's eye-view of the On Time ferry crossing. Going downstairs, I hear a little girl scream.. “Ooh, daddy, daddy, help, yuck”. She is a part of a group of kids fishing from the wharf who has just caught a baby shark. Could it be a ...? Of course, her dad comes over to help and she squeamishly tells him.. “I'm not fishing anymore”.

I'm not surprise to see a baby shark caught here because Martha's Vineyard is the home of “Jaws” the ultimate shark movie that even kept some of you (of course, not me) from taking showers in the 1970's.

Mayor Vaughn: And what did you say the name of this shark was?
Hooper: It's a carcaradon carcharias. It's a Great White.

From Steven Spielberg, Jaws (1975)

Opposite the Town Wharf mementos of Edgartown history are on display. About half a mile away stands the Edgartown lighthouse a replacement of the original (1828) that was severely damaged by a hurricane in 1938. Seasonal tours are available with a $5.00 admission fee.

Feeling a pinch of hunger, I check out two popular harborside restaurants for lunch. The first, Quarterdeck is quite busy but offers mostly fried food. I pass on that option, not that I am opposed to fried food. I want to see what The Seafood Shanty offers besides a great panorama view of the harbor.
Without a lobbyist contribution or corporate sponsorship $14.99 for fish and chips is beyond my lunch budget unless it is a special fish. I doubt it.

Querying a local, I get a recommendation for Espresso Love and set out in search of it. Following Dock Street, I make the turn of Main Street which is lined with shops and restaurants. Along here bike rentals are available, $25.00 per day or $90.00 per week. A good way to get around. There are numerous bike paths available.

For photos: http://dmbtravelerusa.blogspot.com/2...-martha-v.html

DMB, great info. We too are planning a day trip to MV - either this Fall or next Spring. Your TR will be very handy!

yk, I would recommend getting there as early as possible to maximize your time on MV. So much to see and do. Enjoy!

DMB

DMB, so glad you had a great day on MV.

yk, it is hard to get more than a glimpse of the Vineyard in a one day visit. Edgartown is lovely but it is only one town - each island town has it's own personality. If possible, stay at least overnight to venture further and see more of the natural beauty and history that make the Vineyard so very special.

But, if one only has a day, that's fine too. A little of something is better than nothing at all . . .

And, DMB, a minor criticism: please don't indulge in the "playground of rich and famous" chatter - it's a media catchphrase and untrue. The vast majority of island residents and visitors are neither rich nor famous.

I cannot believe you wore a Yankees Cap - have you no tact???

Great report and look forward to checking out your link. Thanks

portiaperu,

Criticism, taken wth a grain of salt. Yes, most residents or visitors (like myself) are neither rich or famous but ...

The Kennedys, Clintons, Obamas and few other well known Americans do visit MV regularly or have homes there.

LittleWing,

I discovered there are a few closet Yankee fans living on MV, I give them more credit than a day visitor. It was sort of like being behind enemy lines but FUN. See you in the post season, maybe?

DMB traveler,

Yes, the Kennedys, Clintons, Obamas and many other rich and famous people visit many places. The three families you mention do not happen to have homes on MV, by the way.

If you categorize all of the places you visit according to the number of rich/famous people that live/visit there, you would list thousands of locations.

What would be the purpose?

And, in my opinion, you would likely overlook the particular charms of a location by engaging in such cliched thinking.

People of all kinds are drawn to MV for all kinds of reasons.

It distorts the experience of the island by referencing it's most famous residents or visitors. It simply doesn't do justice to a place many people treasure as their home or seasonal residence.

And, a visit to the Vineyard for more than a day would provide exposure to the people, places, and experiences that make MV a special place.

Knowing (and loving) the island as I do, I can't abide the generalizations that people make based on very limited experience and/or articles in the celebrity-crazed media.

I encourage you to return and stay for a longer period of time to move beyond your trivialization of the island as "playground of America's rich and famous".

lighten up portia ~ it was a lovely report. your type of response is what makes people decide not to bother ever sharing a trip report again. Please, save the nasties for the lounge and let people share their travels freely on this forum without being attacked.

Many years ago (1954) my then fiancee and I worked at Edgartown hotels for the summer (Colonial & Harborview) and returned several autumns ago for revisiting the island. A laid back place...strolling and ice cream and beach and sailing. We enjoyed taking the bus around the island. In some ways changes apparent but not that much. Well, besides the crowds.

Bill in Boston

LittleWing,

It was not my intention to be "nasty"; I don't think my remarks are nasty. Nor did I "attack" the traveler.

I am disagreeing with a cliched assessment of a place I treasure. I don't recommend people visit MV because of it's rich and famous residents or visitors. I recommend a visit for the tranquility, natural beauty, history, and authenticity of the island.

Disagreeing with someone or suggesting they consider their assessment of a person, place, or experience is not being nasty, it's simply offering a different view.

If that's not allowed, I apologize to you, DMB traveler, and other readers.

portiaperu,

No offense taken. I appreciate your response. The point of my trip report is to share my experiences and hope it will encourage others to travel and maybe visit the places I do. As you may note in any of my reports I make a conscientious effort to experience my destinations like a local. I wish more locals like yourself would write about where you live. Especially when you are fortunate enough to call a beautiful place like MV home.

Don't worry I will be back, still four more towns there I haven't seen!

One quick tip: if flying into MV DON'T take a cab to your hotel, we learned a valuable lesson. Way too expensive, took the bus to the airport for departure, easy as could be. I do recommend renting a bike, we went from VH to Oak Bluff and Edgertown and back. Great time, loved the bike path right by the ocean.

MollyinFL,

I totally agree, cabs in MV are about 10x as expensive as the buses and not really worth the price unless you are in a hurry. I always look for the mass transit option when I travel. This way I save money and maybe pick up a few local tips for dining and sightseeing.