Welcome to Fantasy Island

            I needed a break. This summer has been crazy already and it’s barely even started. I feel like I am traveling somewhere just about every weekend, but I don’t seem to get anywhere. School work has also been wearing me down. I never have been a fan of school, but for some reason, grad school is even worse. I don’t know why really. And it was our wedding anniversary. Unfortunately we didn’t get to spend it together, or even in the same state, so getting away for a bit was necessary.

            I’ve wanted to go to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket since we moved up to New England. For some reason it’s taken me three and a half years to hop on the ferry and head on over to Martha’s Vineyard. Hopefully it won’t take me nearly so long to get back. The ride over from Wood’s Hole, MA is only 45 minutes, and on the way over we were able to sit on the top and watch the scenery go by (I am so thankful we got at least a few days of sun). The first thing I noticed when we pulled in to Oak Bluffs was the big park and beautiful Victorian houses all along the waterfront. I am a huge fan of Victorian architecture, so Oak Bluffs is like a dream town for me.

The view coming off the ferry from the mainland includes this beautiful park and a line of wonderful Victorian homes.

            Much of Martha’s Vineyard is invaded by tourists every summer, maybe all of it, and their influence is everywhere. Like all tourist traps in New England, there are artsy shops on every block and high priced restaurants. There were more ice cream shops than there were blocks along the main street of each town. The main streets of the towns were crowded with tourists, locals, cars, bikes and mopeds, and yet I felt more peaceful there than I have just about anywhere else in New England. There is something about Martha’s Vineyard and maybe small islands else ware, that just makes you slow down and relax. There is no reason to rush around and there is no reason to stress about life. That is my kind of place.

A line of gingerbread Victorian homes along the Oak Bluffs Harbor

            One suggestion I would give you is to get a bike on the island or bring yours with you. There is no need to have a car on the island with you. There are bike paths throughout the island and a great bus network to get you everywhere else. There are also plenty of taxis to get you around faster if you don’t want to wait for the bus to come. Not having a car will also help you to not over pack, a problem for most travelers out there. It will also save you money. If you leave your car on the mainland, you do have to pay for parking. But taking your car over to the island seems like a lot of hassle. You have to wait in line at the ferry to get on the boat, which may take several hours at times. You have to pay to take your car on the ferry, and then usually pay to park your car on the island, and gas prices are at least a dollar more than they are on the mainland. If you do plan on taking your car anyway, make sure you have a full tank before you leave the mainland if you don’t want to pay so much for gas. Once you get to the island, if you haven’t brought your car, there are bikes, mopeds and cars for rent.

The view from part of the bike path between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown

            We brought our mountain bikes and rode the bus, but mainly walked. I loved walking and biking around Oak Bluffs. The gingerbread houses are beautiful and all of them are unique. I love the big, beautiful porches, and I could spend my entire summer out on one. All I need is a chair, a hammock and a grill. Perfect. We rode our bikes down to Edgartown one day and continued on to South Beach. I would highly suggest going early in the day to this beach. It gets crowded in the afternoon, but earlier in the day it was so relaxing with the beautiful sand and the big waves. I’m not brave enough to go into the freezing New England ocean, but my husband loved playing in the waves.

The waves from South Beach

            While I loved the Victorian homes in Oak Bluffs, I think Edgartown was my favorite spot on the island. The architecture of this town is more the stereotypical New England with big cedar shingle houses with white trim. It was one of the more peaceful places I’ve ever been. There is a more mature vibe in Edgartown than Oak Bluffs (less kids) that I really liked. Walking around the neighborhoods was also really nice. It was striking how quite it was there, and by contrast how incredibly loud every place I have ever lived has been. I need to do something about that.

There were a few people just fishing their afternoon away on the Edgartown Pier

            So I think that was a pretty good introduction to Martha’s Vineyard for us. We weren’t there for long, which is hopefully something that we can fix for next time so we can see more like the Clay Cliffs of Aquinnah, take the ferry over to Chappaquiddick, check out the galleries in Vineyard Haven and of course more beaches. We have to find the perfect one after all. Maybe I’ll just move there one of these days for a few years to really take in the peaceful island lifestyle.

And now. . .Summer!!!

          

                Alright, so I admittedly haven't written on here in forever. But, honestly, there wasn't that much to write about. I've traveled back and forth to Pennsylvania a few times, but not to do anything interesting. I haven't even been up to the White Mountains lately. So, since it is now summer, I thought it was time to get you caught up on the summer plans.

                First up: Hiking. Should be a given at this point, but I actually haven’t had a lot of time to do it lately. I need to get up into the mountains more this summer. So far, the two trips we have done have been with friends. Definitely the best way to go hiking. After all, I don’t have to pretend to be able to catch up with my husband if there are other people there, and dinner is always more interesting. But at the very least, I plan on being up in the mountains as many times as I can, even if I have to go alone.

                Next up, travel plans. Next weekend I will be heading out to Martha’s Vineyard for a few days. I haven’t been there before, but I have wanted to go ever since we moved up to Massachusetts. There’s something about a beachy island that is intriguing to me, as someone who loves the mountains. I can’t wait to get on the ferry and head over. More about it when I get back.

                Other travel plans for the summer include a trip up to Montreal for a concert, and back to Pennsylvania for both family occasions and of course, MUSIKFEST!!!!! I would love to say there are more plans, but at the moment, just about every weekend from now until September has been spoken for. I will have to see if I can fit more trips in somewhere. . .

                That brings me to the summer concert season. As an avid music fan, this is possibly my favorite part about summer. Of course, Musikfest is always a highlight of the summer. What could be better than 10 days of food, beer, multiple free music stages, and a different headlining concert every night?  My favorite stage is a tossup between Americaplatz in front of the Bethlehem PA public library, and Volksplatz in the park down below Main St. At Americaplatz, the theme is all things America, and as far as the music is concerned, think rock and blues. There is nothing better than sitting in front of the stage, or even better, lying on a bench in the park next to the stage, listening to some screaming guitars and deep vocals. I can’t think of a better way to spend a warm, humid August night in Pennsylvania. Some highlights of this year’s line-up include the AMAZING Ana Popovic on Aug. 10 and The Blues Brotherhood on Aug. 6.

Check out Ana Popovic’s video for “My Man”

                Now, over to Volksplatz. This is the place to go for a musical and culinary cruise around the world. I love to sit under the tent here and just experience whatever music happens to be playing, and take a foodie tour around the platz. Last year’s music included an amazing band out of Africa and the ever popular, Scythian (Check them out this year on Aug. 8). The best way to experience Volksplatz is to wander in at any time of day, grab something to eat at one of the food stands, preferably something you’ve never had/heard of before, and enjoy whatever music is being performed at the time. Wandering around Musikfest is the best way to experience the wealth of music that surrounds you. Love it!

Here’s Scythian playing “Dance All Night”

                Other highlights of the summer concert season for me: A Perfect Circle in July down in Boston. I’ve seen them before, but it was years ago, and there’s no such thing as hearing them too often. Unfortunately, drummer Josh Freese  won’t be joining them on this tour. That’s a shame, but I’m sure the show will still be amazing.

And here’s a live performance of A Perfect Circle playing “The Outsider”

                July also contains the festival I’ve been looking forward to for months, Heavy MTL in Montreal, Canada. I am a huge metal fan and a proud member of the metal community. I cannot wait to go to this two day festival to enjoy some amazing music with all my fellow metal fans. Some highlights of this year’s lineup? DevilDriver, Opeth, In Flames, Trivium, Straight Line Stitch, Disturbed, Godsmack, Kiss, and Anthrax. If you are in Canada, or can get there, check out the show in Montreal, or its sister show in Toronto (July 23-24).

“You know, amongst adults, I think metal is the last frontier of the fanatic so to speak.” – Kerry King of Slayer.  Check out scenes from Heavy MTL 2010.

                And, because there is no such thing as too much Opeth, I will also be heading to the Opeth and Katatonia show when it heads to Massachusetts. I am really looking forward to this one too. I have only recently come across these Swedish titans of metal (sad, I know) but it was love at first listen. Since they don’t often come to the US, I will be taking full advantage of their tours this summer.

One of each:

                I also have to add how my concert season started this summer. Friday was a good kick-off to the season with some Massachusetts locals, Wolfbane and Thurkills Vision. It was a great show and a good kick-off to a massive music filled summer. I will try to get to a few more of their shows this summer to keep the music rocking along. Check out their show on July 16 at the Middle East’s Downstairs in Cambridge Massachusetts. I wonder how many other concerts I can fit into my summer . . .

Check out “Dust to Dust” from Wolfbane

                So, there’s a good overview of what I will be up to over the next few months. I will keep you up to date with all the fun activities, travels and concerts. I hope to see you out there!