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.
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.
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.
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