Martha’s Vineyard…
Today we took the ferry over to Martha’s Vineyard to check out this famous island.
MV Island Home
We sailed on the MV Island Home, a ferry that can carry up to 76 vehicles, including semi tractor trailers and big RV’s. But we didn’t take our rig, or our truck over. We just took ourselves.
The Island Home can also carry up to 1200 passengers, although we were probably only about half full. The trip takes about 45 minutes and was very comfortable. We even had a breakfast sandwich and coffee during the trip.
Our port on Martha’s Vineyard is called Vineyard Haven, and is one the two large ports on the island, the other being Oak Bluffs where a ferry also docks.
Vineyard Haven
Vineyard Haven Port
Getting off the ship we saw an Island Sightseeing bus so decided to jump on. Our tour lasted almost 3 hours and took us all around the island.
Our guide pointed out the many houses of the rich and famous. Ted Danson, Michael J. Fox, Doris Day, Diane Sawyer, and many others.
Our first stop was at a Aquinnah Indian area at Gay Head Cliffs. There were several small restaurants, gift shops, a lighthouse, and most importantly, restrooms.
Aquinnah
GayHead Lighthouse
The Gay Head Cliffs are one of the many beautiful areas on Martha’s Vineyard, and supposedly, one of the best beaches.
Gay Head Cliffs
We didn’t get to visit the cliff area, but here’s a pretty pic from the Internet.
Moving on down the road, we passed The Field Gallery, an outside art gallery with some very strange art work.
Field Gallery
We ended our tour at Oak Bluffs, the other harbor on the Island.
Oak Bluffs Harbor
The town is very quaint, with many cute little houses left over from a 19th century Methodists camp meeting area.
Oak Bluffs Houses
These houses originally cost $400.00, but now can go for over $400,000.
After a VERY good meal of Mexican food at a place called Zapotec,
Zapotec
we checked out the Flying Horses arcade.
Flying Horses
As the sign says, it houses the America’s oldest carousel.
Carousel
It was built in 1876 and spent the first 20 years of its life at Coney Island in New York. Then in 1896 it was moved here to Oak Bluffs where it’s been ever since.
While we were waiting for the VTA bus to take us back to Vineyard Haven and our ferry home, I caught a shot of this beautiful stay-rigged schooner sailing offshore.
Schooner
It’s amazing to think that ships like this once sailed around the world.
We got back to our rig about 6:30 pm, tired, but having really enjoyed our day.
Tomorrow, a whale watching boat trip, we hope…
