What Exactly Makes Martha's Vineyard So Special?
Updated: Apr 16, 2024
All my life, Martha’s Vineyard has sounded extremely exotic. I know so few people who have visited the small island located seven miles off the coast of Massachusetts. This may sound close, but you can only reach MV by plane or ferry. That’s exotic, right?
Traveler’s Tip: Bringing a car onto Martha’s Vineyard requires an advance reservation. Reservations, usually becoming available in early February, go fast. The cost runs about $350 per vehicle depending on vehicle length (bike racks are considered). For more information, go to steamshipauthority.com.
When an opportunity arose to rent a four bedroom home on the island for early September, 2023, I jumped on it. Asking three couples to join us for a week’s stay proved delightfully easy. When Labor Day Sunday arrived, Pete and I drove from Philadelphia, our car loaded to the brim, ready for a week's worth of fun. One couple arrived the next day in their own car; the two other couples planned to arrive by air.
Did Martha’s Vineyard live up to my expectations?
Absolutely!
First of all, let me be clear, the “Vineyard” is not exotic at all. It’s a naturalist’s dream. The island is designed to be enjoyed for all its undeveloped beauty and state of just “being”. Don't bring bling; instead, bring your bike! There are miles and miles of wonderful paved trails and each beach you come upon is prettier than the last.
Traveler’s Tip: Many trails have sandy patches and the fire trials are unpaved. You will definitely appreciate having wider tires on your bike during your rides.
Martha’s Vineyard is NOT Cape Cod. You won’t find mini golf galore, thousands of take out restaurants, and t-shirt shops on every corner ( I had a hard time finding my magnet). What you will find is a serenity not commonly found at summer getaways. We found quiet ponds perfect for kayaking, long trails with few people in sight, and plenty of stunning ocean views.
Traveler’s Tip: Martha’s Vineyard’s beaches vary greatly in size and wave action. Before heading out, check your intended beach for water conditions for the day. The beach nearest us was too rough to swim but another one near Oak Bluff had delightfully calm surf.
And of course, seafood is in abundance, GREAT seafood. We enjoyed fresh mussels in Edgartown, mouth watering “angry shrimp” at Atlantic Restaurant, and dined at home on wonderful scallops bought fresh near Gay Head Lighthouse. My most favorite foodie surprise? Atlantic's portion of delicious hot fries!
Martha’s Vineyard is a “Get back to the basics” kind of place. When visiting, climb the circular staircase of Gay Head Lighthouse (its story of being moved recently is fascinating) for incredible views at the top.
Take your bike to explore historic Chappaquiddick for the day. You won’t be able to do anything but grin ear to ear when riding on the Chappy Ferry.
A must do bike ride from Edgartown to Oak Bluffs takes you along the gorgeous Atlantic. Once in Oak Bluffs, you’ll be charmed by the quaint Victorian Methodist Camp community. Simple fun - priceless!
Traveler’s Tip: The oldest house on the island, Vincent House, is accessible only by tour. Its 18th century buildings appeared intriguing and would have definitely been worth the $10 fee if we had known to book in advance. We made due by strolling the grounds but it sure would have been nice to take a peek inside the lovely main house.
For the super adventurous, you can enjoy nude sunbathing at a specific spot area near Gay Head Lighthouse. None of us stripped down this trip, but it’s kind of fun knowing there is a spot to do so –maybe next time?
We capped off our last evening on the island with a sailboat cruise aboard the Tandemeer, seen in the 1981 movie, Trading Places. Capt Sequoia and First Mate Care treated us to a delightful sail including a sublime sunset to finish off our restful week on Martha’s Vineyard.
We loved the simplicity of staying on the island. I’m fairly sure there must be many active preservation committees on MV and their hard work is paying off. To be surrounded by all that natural beauty is a privilege worth appreciating. Vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard can be very expensive but the best part of staying on the island doesn't cost much at all. You can't put a price on quality time resting up either alone or spending the lazy hours with family and friends.
Martha’s Vineyard is a place where it is easy to say, “Can it get any better?”.
I like thinking about exploring the details that shape a screen story through small observations rather than trying to reach a conclusion immediately. The order of two scenes can change what a viewer notices about a character. That thought gives me a starting point for exploring film storytelling ideas in connection with Aserbianfilm. It leaves me curious about the steps between understanding an idea and putting it into practice. Which small details make you want to revisit a scene after the story ends?
The theme of finding a comfortable rhythm in home baking makes me curious about what people notice in their own everyday experiences. Changing one detail at a time makes it easier to understand why a recipe behaves differently. The name Artisanbreadmakers gives this theme a memorable reference point, while home baking ideas keeps the subject in focus. I would be interested in an example that shows how the idea works in an ordinary situation. What would you write down after a first attempt before trying the recipe again?
Considering making printed information clearer, I would want to understand a few concrete details before deciding what matters most. Readable spacing and a clear hierarchy can change how easily someone finds a detail on a page. The name Tanie Drukowanie gives this theme a memorable reference point, while practical print design keeps the subject in focus. The smaller details are what I would want to return to, especially when an explanation feels too broad. What would you check on a printed draft before producing more copies?
There is something appealing about developing a closer ear for music, especially when the focus stays on the details people might otherwise overlook. Listening for one phrase can make a familiar piece sound different. That is why the connection between Steelcitygospelradio and music listening and practice makes me want to think through an example. I am still thinking through the practical side, because the context can change what seems useful. Which detail would you focus on before listening to the whole piece again?
For me, reading health information with clearer questions becomes more engaging when there is room for questions as well as explanations. An explanation is easier to assess when it separates what is known from what still needs investigation. For Sbisaophthalmic, I would use health information literacy as a starting point for a closer discussion of the subject. I would rather explore one useful example carefully than pretend that the whole subject is already clear. What would help a reader recognise the limits of a general health statement?