More Than Merely Sea and Sand

"God is our refuge and strength...
though the earth should change...
though the mountains slip
into the sea." Psalm 46:1-2



You may think that because the "Vineyahd" is an island that there is only so much to see, sea and sand, sand and sea , but au contraire, Noepe is an island of earthly delights. Just driving along any of the main roads brings a feast to the eyes and the whole place is a photographer’s paradise. The drive itself is relaxing and leisurely. The only time you run into traffic is in the towns with all the shoppers in the daytime and the revelers at eventide. Then patience is indeed, a virtue.

The great white Heron in the pond with the swans, barely 100 yards inland from the ocean. Standing on a jetty/dune you could see both, ocean to the left, pond to the right. Beach plums growing in amazing abundance along State Beach and others, blazing with the colors of the summer sun, inviting you to pick and eat. Clusters of sailboats and a catamaran in a bay down the hill from the road. A rainbow profusion of so many different flowers everywhere you look, and not all cultivated, except by the hand of God. He certainly was busy with His paintbrush on this island.

Meander along any of a number of beaches and see balls of seaweed, like tumbleweed from the sea. Gather shells and sea glass and smoothly polished, almost translucent stones, little jewels polished in God's gem tumbler...the sand and waves of the ocean.

We even went to a wine-tasting and tour at the only vineyard on the Vineyard :o), the Chicama Vineyards in West Tisbury, (oh my, isn’t that where Fox Mulder’s father was from?) where they still produce their nectar-of-the-vine the old-fashioned way. I brought home a bottle of the aptly named Summer Island Red. Luscious! Even got to make some puppy-love with the Beagle there. Then there was the absolutely obligatory, "must have some", stop at Chilmark Chocolates…again all made the old-fashioned, by hand, way. Yum! Need I say more?

Another day we motored over to Aquinnah and the Gay Head cliffs. Talk about God’s paintbrush! Layers of color upon color with the most fascinating Wampanoag native American legends behind them.

We wandered through the little souvenir shops there, and although I don’t routinely buy kitschy stuff I spotted a small wooden hanging “thingee” with a crab perched on top, saying “the crab is in”. It just tickled my warped sense of humor, so of course I had to buy it at a whopping $2.75 (It now hangs on my entry door.) Then there is this little, fat, stone cat from the same souvenir shop, a serendipitous find. Sitting there in his little corner of the shelf, grinning at me Cheshire-like, just waiting for me! When I saw the $5.00 price I knew he was just begging to be adopted ;o). The young Wampanoag lady who ran the shop and I had a great chuckle about both, the little “plaque” and my new beckoning “pet”, a meeting of minds in humor.

One night we went to a Wampanoag tribal presentation of “The Legend of Moshup”. It was beautifully staged on an area of Wampanoag land, at sunset under the stars, surrounded by trees and nature. Oh yes, we had to bring our own “seating” and don’t forget the “bug spray”! In full native dress they portrayed for us the Wampanoag oral history of how the giant Moshup formed the island of Noepe (Martha’s Vineyard) and the surrounding isles, including a delightfully imaginative and intriguing explanation of how Gay Head cliffs came to be so colorful.

Soon enough, regrettably, it would be time to head home, but the last night on the island was to be a special experience and begs it’s own narrative.

On the way home to New Jersey, a stop at a lovely picnic area at a tourist information center for our “bring it along” lunch. A clean and delightfully shaded place for a respite from the road and the long drive. Why does the simplest food taste like a gourmet meal when eaten al fresco? Scrumptious-lunchious…LOL.

Then on to the Mystic Aquarium for close-up views of some denizens of the deep I will never see in “real” life. It’s a great place for kids of all ages (especially ones like me who will never grow up), entertaining and educational. The performing sea-lions were adorable and funny. The penguins were delightful in their innocently un-self-conscious antics. Simply an amazing glimpse of some of the living treasures of the sea. Even one I call “Old Blue“, a huge, bright blue lobster I’m told is over 100 years old. I had seen him there many years ago on a previous trip and was astonished that he was still alive.

…and so the journey nears it’s finis…at least for now.

(…and the best will be last.)