Return to Martha's Vineyard - Part I

Jul 10, 2007

I've long since lost count of the number of times I've been to Martha's Vineyard, that little gem of an island that lies off the southern coast of Cape Cod. But my love affair with Martha started many years ago. The reason for the multiple visits - dozens over the years - it's an idyllic life here: beautiful nature, endless beaches, pretty towns and rural roads and miles and miles of carefree biking on a sophisticated route of bike paths.

Stacey and I rent a house for a week and usually share it with her cousin and cousin's husband, Stephie and Al. Not so this year. For various reasons they coudn't join us this summer. So we're here by ourselves and it's been a beautiful week so far and very relaxing and laid back - no pressure, no schedule, just hanging out. Hear that sound? That's me emitting a long sigh of contentment.

Passengers anticipate their arrival at Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard on the ferry from Woods Hole on the Cape.

Lovely Stacey after debarking the ferry. We usually head straight for a little restaurant on the town pier: Fishbones.

And this is me, the Blogster, at Fishbones.

This is our sweet MV rental house.

Yeah, we're laid back and relaxed but we do have our traditional routine that must be observed. One of those is our morning bike ride each day of 5 miles (and then 5 miles back) to Alley's General Store in West Tisbury. Our rental house is about a quarter-mile from the bike path. The path, roaming through pine-scented scrub and forests, takes us to Alley's. What a way to start the day!

Rolling on our way to Alley's for coffee and bagels.

The view of the path from my handlebars (kids don't try this at home).

A vintage Mercedes cruises the parking lot at Alley's General Store.

A coffee, a bagel, the morning paper ... at Alley's - our daily routine.

Alley's, established 1858.

Just down the road from Alley's - The First Congregational Church has just finished Sunday service. Martha's Vineyard's ubiquitous white picket fences are spectacular.

Next door to the church, Sunday's weekly crafts fair was in full swing outside the historic Grange Hall. A bluegrass troupe entertained us visitors.

Detail - the 1859 Grange Hall.

The flute's the thing.

Colorful hand-made pocketbooks attracted customers.

And Stacey bought one!

Across the road was this beautiful house surrounded, it seemed, by thousands of lilies.