A Day in Martha’s Vineyard

When vacation time is scarce, but the desire to see everything and anything is burning bright, creative solutions are necessary. We, lovers of summer over all, find ourselves without many days off during this cherished season, so when we finally did have one, we seized it and flew to Martha’s Vineyard. Just a 37 minute flight on Cape Air, the journey to the Vineyard is a lovely one, and one I highly recommend.

Our trip was a last minute one; we had taken the day after our anniversary off knowing we wanted to go somewhere, and when we spontaneously decided to book a flight, Martha’s Vineyard seemed the perfect day trip. I hadn’t been to the island since I was a child, and my husband had never been. An adventure was born!

On Monday morning, we headed to the airport, went through security, and my small-plane nerves set in. The Cape Air plane was not the smallest I have been on; we had the pleasure of flying over the West of Ireland in a four seater years ago, but the thought of being in a van-sized plane still scared me. Two mimosas later, and I was climbing into the last seat of this little plane, strangely calm and incredibly excited for the day ahead.

Really, I could not be nervous, with these gorgeous views of Massachusetts below us. I spent most of the flight snapping photos.

Hello, Martha’s Vineyard!

Landing was smooth and sweet, actually way better than most big planes I have been on. Once we arrived at the Martha’s Vineyard airport, we hopped on a bus to Oak Bluffs. The bus system on Martha’s Vineyard is pretty fabulous. We used it all day, and it saved us the money of renting a car or taking taxis. Bonus: the bus drivers know the island well, and they were very eager to give us directions and suggestions.

My nerves before the flight meant that I skipped breakfast, so the first order of business was getting something to eat. We grabbed egg, linguica, avocado, and tomato sandwiches at the Big Dipper in Oak Bluffs. The sandwiches were fantastic, and the joyful energy of the staff was infectious; it really set the mood for the day.

Our bus driver gave us great directions to the gingerbread houses on MV, so once we wolfed down our sandwiches, we headed to the tabernacle, a spiritual center in Oak Bluffs, part of the historic Methodist campground. The peaceful, simple place of worship is surrounded by colorful homes of the Camp Meeting Association. It’s a very special place, not just for the architecture, but for the sense of community and tranquility that prevails throughout.

We loved all of the details on the bright gingerbread houses. They are occupied by owners and renters, so we tried to keep our distance to give them privacy while also enjoying the beauty that these cottages have to offer. We are thinking of renting one next summer. Spending a week on Martha’s Vineyard sounds like heaven to me!

Our wander around Oak Bluffs included an obligatory stop at Vineyard Vines. I was tempted to buy a leash for my non-existent dog, but I practiced restraint. The store, while it has some cute things, is pretty overpriced, so we left empty-handed.

We ducked out of the heat for cold beers at Offshore Ale Co., a relaxed brewpub with a nautical theme.

An afternoon walking around Oak Bluffs, enjoying the beauty of summer in New England, was followed by some beach time and a dip in the chilly sea before we grabbed lunch.

We stopped at the Sand Bar & Grille for some classic fare, clam chowder and crab cakes.

The food was delicious, and the music and water views created a summery, relaxed vibe. I could see the Sand Bar being a great little piece of Oak Bluffs nightlife.

After lunch and some more walking, we hopped on the bus to Edgartown. Buses on Martha’s Vineyard are great, cheap, reliable, and really make getting around easy.

As it started to get cloudy, we spent time gazing out at the sea from a rooftop in Edgartown, watching the Chappaquiddick ferry go back and forth, transporting cars to the island. We both can stare at the sea for hours and never get tired of it.

Eventually, it was time to think about dinner before our flight home. We toasted our seventh anniversary with Veuve Clicquot at The Atlantic while taking in more sea views.

Oysters and lobster rolls rounded out the feast, followed by peanut butter fudge on the way back to the plane.

Flying the co-pilot seat on the way home was the icing on the cake on this perfect day. I hate to see Summer 2013 go, but we sure do have some amazing memories!