#martha'svineyard Archives

Martha’s Vineyard R&R Part 2

By threejamigos | December 3, 2016 | Comments 0 Comment

The ferry to Martha’s Vineyard is a quick jaunt to the island, just thirty minutes to the official start of the road trip portion of our R&R adventure.

After checking into our island digs, the Vineyard Mansion, (highly recommend) we headed out to explore the island. We studied the freebie map of the island (you know the one with cartoon drawings to highlight tourist destinations, where everything looks SO close to wherever you are at) we decided to take a walk to one of three lighthouses on the island. Did I ever mention I like sports that involve a machine or something to that effect. Before I discovered rowing I biked. Loved getting on my metal horse and taking off. Boat, bike..yep, right up my alley. Not a big fan of running, hiking, swimming, walking…no machine. So after walking for FORTY FIVE MINUTES and 3 chimes of “How much further” from whiny me, the lighthouse finally came into view. Yes, the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Never trust those silly maps you find in hotel lobbies.

ARE WE THERE YET?

We couldn’t even get close to the lighthouse. It was on private property shared with the US Coast Guard. But it was pretty and we were able to walk out on the beach. As Snook took pictures, I spent my time Googling UBER, alas no UBER on the island. I needed a good dinner for walking to the lighthouse and back. My compadres deserved a great dinner for putting up with my whining.

Dinner found us in Oak Bluff, a neighboring town to Vineyard Haven, at the Offshore Ale Company. Casual fare in a comfortable, rustic brew pub. I finally got my lobster roll.

In our day and half excursion to Martha’s Vineyard we hit not only the 3 major spots-Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluff and Edgartown but also the west side of the island. Each area has something different to offer definitely worth a visit if you are close by. Summer is probably a madhouse here so book early, but if you go in the fall as we did, you will be treated to a tranquil beautiful respite. Each district has a nice Main St. where yes, you can shop, eat and drink. I love indie bookstores and there are two to stop and browse, Edgartown Books and Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven. I loved visiting the lighthouses and taking in the beautiful coastal scenery despite the gusts of wind that threatened to upend us at times. Much of the island harkens to a time gone by with its New England architecture and feel. Don’t pass up ambling around the gingerbread houses in Oaks Bluff.

As they say a picture is worth thousand words, a whirlwind glimpse of Martha’s Vineyard

Next post: Let’s talk food on the island!

R&R (Rowing&Roadtrip) Boston Part 1

By threejamigos | November 6, 2016 | Comments 0 Comment

This year’s Head of the Charles Regatta was bittersweet. We rowed not just for us but for our coxswain Mary, our crew mate Linda and last but not least Little Snook, taken from us way too soon. We rowed for friends, family members and crew mates who have battled cancer, are cancer survivors and in memory of those we have lost to the disease.

Flash flood warnings, thunder and lightning the evening before the race found us huddled in our b&b wondering if we were going to be able to row. We could hear the rain pouring down throughout the night. But amazingly by morning the rain and wind had stopped and the skies were clear.

It was a good day to row.

In the past we have traveled to Boston just for the Head of the Charles. We fly in, row, watch the collegiate and high school teams row and fly out. Last year we decided we should take a road trip after the regatta. But where to?

After much debate:

Me: How about Vermont, hear there’s good pie.

Mary: Pie? Sounds good!

Jane: Drive for pie?

Me & Mary: Yeah, duh.

That Sunday morning we found ourselves headed to Underhill, Vermont. Four hours later we were standing inside a tiny metal toolshed that had been repurposed into the cute little pie bungalow (too small to be called a shop) Poorhouse Pies. We picked our pies and dropped our money into the little box on the counter. Shivering from the cold, our noses running, we sat on the tiny bench next to the shed enjoying the best damn Key Lime Pie ever. Then and there the annual post regatta road trip was born.

This year’s trip found us on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard in search of lighthouses, lobster rolls and of course pie. Yee-ha!

STOP. If you ever decide to take the the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard I suggest you take it from Woods Hole. Why? Well, the ferry runs year around from there, important if you are going in the off season. Ferry service includes transport of cars from there (but you will pay a premium), remember to book in advance. But the main reason is to stop at Pie In the Sky Bakery and Cafe . Your trip on the ferry will be ever so much more pleasant with a steaming hot cup of coffee and a scrumptious popover, buttery croissant or muffin from this rustic, cute hole in the wall. It’s literally a stone’s throw away from the Steamship Authority. The vibe is friendly and the joint is filled with locals and ferry passengers.

Martha’s Vineyard here we come.