Lyndie's lookin' good in her jump suit...
ready to set sail for The Vineyard, Martha's, that is.
We are leaving Woods Hole on the ferry to Martha's Vineyard.
But first, we stop at Pie in the Sky Bakery for a little sustenance on the ferry.
Getting ready to board the ship.
A view of the Great Harbor leaving for Martha's Vineyard.
Arriving at Vineyard Haven Harbor.
How many people live on Martha’s Vineyard?
The Vineyard is home to 15,000 year-round residents. During the summer months the population increases to 115,000. Sixty-three percent of the homes on the Vineyard belong to seasonal residents.
(See more at: http://www.mvy.com/stay-here/frequently-asked-questions.aspx#sthash.69i94ig8.dpuf)
Everyone asked me how Martha's Vineyard got its name. Is it a vineyard?
Well, here is the origin:
Martha’s Vineyard got its name from its discoverer, Bartholomew Gosnold, who gave it the name of his wife, Martha, and also commemorated the abundant growth of wild vines on the land.
Now, you know.
(from Junior's Book.com tell me why http://www.juniorsbook.com/activity_workshop.asp?aid=5181)
Is Martha’s Vineyard one big town?
No, in fact there are 6 distinctive towns on the Vineyard, each with its own character, flare, attractions, dining, lodging and more. Tisbury, (which includes the year-round harbor port of Vineyard Haven), Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are vibrant port communities, very unique from one another, very easy to walk around and very easy to get between There are three rural towns, West Tisbury, Chilmark (including the fishing village of Menemsha) and Aquinnah, offer a more pastoral landscape, dotted with small farms, cozy shopping and galleries in a rural environment.
As you can see, it is an island.
We took a bus to two of the six towns on the Vineyard.
We landed in Vineyard Haven and looked around there.
Then we visited Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.
There was too much to see to make it to all the towns even though the Island is small.
How large is Martha’s Vineyard?
Martha’s Vineyard is approximately 96 square miles, roughly triangular in shape, 25 miles (42k) at it’s longest point east to west, and 9 miles (12.8k) at the longest point north to south.
(same reference: www.mvy.com/stay-here/frequently-asked-questions)
When ships were powered by wind and canvas,
Vineyard Haven was one of New England's busiest ports.
Today, it is the primary point of entry for visitors to the Island by ferry.
We rode the bus to our first stop, Oak Bluffs.
Vineyard Haven was one of New England's busiest ports.
Today, it is the primary point of entry for visitors to the Island by ferry.
We rode the bus to our first stop, Oak Bluffs.
There are many shops lining the streets of Oak Bluffs.
Doug is like a kid in a candy store. Oh, wait, it is a candy store!
In 1835 this community, originally known as Wesleyan Grace, served as the site for annual Methodist Church camp meetings, drawing congregations of more than 12,000 people.
They came for the sermons and stayed for the sunshine.
Attendees camped in the family-sized tents that evolved into wooden cottages.
As the cottages multiplied, each family tried to outdo each other
and "Cottage City" was born.
The Martha's Vineyard
Camp Meeting Association Tabernacle
erected 1879
One of the signs read,
"The Best of All is God is with Us"
John Wesley
"Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place."
Today there are more than 300 gingerbread Cottages in this one-of-a-kind village
that draws visitors from around the world.
The first cottage on Martha's Vineyard Methodist Camp Ground, 1864.
Within 40 years of the first camp meeting here, there were crowds of 30,000
attending the Illumination night- a stunning display of Japanese lanterns-
to mark the end of the summer season.
This Vineyard tradition continues to this day.
Finding more interesting places in Oak Bluffs.
It is time for lunch at Linda Jean's Restaurant.
We ordered more great seafood.
Then we boarded the bus to Edgartown.
One of New England's most elegant communities, Edgartown was the Island's
first colonial settlement.
The Captain Warren House, circa 1850.
The stately white Greek Revival houses built by the whaling captains have been
carefully maintained to this day.
For the past hundred years Edgartown has been one of the world's great
yachting centers.
The houses make the town a museum-piece community, a seaport village preserved from
the early 19th century.
The Harbor View Hotel
The Edgartown Lighthouse
Yes, this is the Court House.
The Old Whaling Church on Main Street is Edgartown's icon. Built in 1843 at the height
of the whaling industry, the church has been transformed into a performing
arts center and is one of the island's most popular wedding venues.
Receptions are held in the Dr. Daniel Fisher House next door to the church.
It was a former private residence built three years before the Old Whaling Church.
Matching Martha Vineyard Sweatshirts!
Back to The Steamship Authority to board the ferry for our return to the Cape.
Our Peace Sign.
yachting centers.
the early 19th century.
of the whaling industry, the church has been transformed into a performing
arts center and is one of the island's most popular wedding venues.
It was a former private residence built three years before the Old Whaling Church.
What a great adventure visiting Martha's!
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