Cape Cod Trek Explores Corners of Martha's Vineyard

 

We started to explore more of the island today, and Martha's Vineyard is a truly gorgeous place.

We slept in just a little later than usual, had our routine breakfast of oatmeal and bananas, then hopped on the island's bus system to the Oak Bluffs area. There, we ate lunch in an open park, next to a fountain, surrounded by Victorian-style homes and the ocean. After making a few wishes over the fountain, we hopped back on the bus and went to check out Eel Pond, where we searched the sand for shells and found a bunch of unopened Quahaugs and Oysters washed up on the beach.

We grabbed some homemade ice cream before hopping on the next bus back towards camp.

When we returned to our site, we made sure to get some laundry done. We also  played soccer and basketball, and hung out in the recreation room, until it was time to cook dinner.

We ate as quick as possible to catch another bus to the Aquinnah Cliffs to watch the sun set over the ocean. We passed lots of green farm land outside the scope of the tourist attractions, and were greeted by the sight of a lighthouse that rested on cliffs that looked as if they had been painted. The glowing orange sun gradually descending into the horizon, as a single fishing boat continued to effortlessly graze the surface of the water.

-- Trip leaders Annise and Cory

Cape Cod Trekkers on Martha's Vineyard

We made it to Martha's Vineyard today!

A short, late morning bike ride to the steamship authority brought us from our campsite in Falmouth to the ferry awaiting departure. Arriving a few minutes early, we stopped for ice cream, and we mixed and matched flavors to our personal preferences.

We loaded our bikes into the lower cargo area of the massive ferry, and headed to the upper decks, as we started across the Vineyard Sound.

Arriving in Martha's Vineyard, the port was packed with people, and fleets of anchored sailboats welcomed our arrival. We stopped at a grocery store around the corner to purchase our food for the next day. We had to resupply nearly all of our rations, so our bikes were filled as we rode another short distance into camp, at the Martha's Vineyard Family Campground.

When we reached the grounds, we came upon a beautiful sight - our cabin for the next few nights! ...a nice break from setting up our tents. A few of us wandered the grounds and then we unpacked our gear. In our cabin, we even have a mini fridge and a grill, so we stored our perishables, and decided to treat ourselves in true Vineyard style - by exploring Vineyard Haven and having a nice dinner out at the Blue Canoe Waterfront Grill. We had cheeseburgers, salmon and clam chowder above a small harbor, and we watched the famous Black Dog Cafe sailboat hoist its sails and head out to sea.

After a rather ritzy dinner, we explored some of the town and checked out some small gift and boutique shops.

We wandered the main street until about 8:00 p.m., when we were to meet up for a ghost walk around town. Our guide, affiliated with the town's newspaper, carried a lantern and led us around former ship Captains' homes, and down to the water, and up to an old graveyard. We learned some local history, while hearing some scary stories, and some of us even caught energy orbs in photos we took of the graveyard. Though some of us are believers, and others skeptics, the tour was a spooky way to get a taste of the area's rich seafaring history.

-- Trip leaders Annise and Cory