Crazy Decorator's Life, Mally's News
Day-tripping to Martha’s
Aug
The fun thing about having a house in Falmouth, is that you have all the convenience of having a beach house on the mainland (minimal commuter headache’s) – but the wonderful islands off Cape Cod, are just a hop, skip and a jump away.
The Island Queen ferry leaves every couple of hours in the summer for Martha’s Vineyard from Falmouth harbor, costs $20, and drops you in Oak Bluffs. Its so easy, we sometimes just go over for a bit of shopping, or a fun, island meal – (sadly Falmouth is not exactly brimming with choice in the way of cool restaurants.)
The town of Oak Bluffs is steeped in history. Originally settled in 1642, it became a mecca for tourists from all over the world from as early as 1880. Don’t forget your camera, there are photographic opportunities at every turn.
You will discover that there is a magical quality to the place. Leave yourself plenty of time to wander amongst the gingerbread cottages in the area known as the campground. On a warm summer day, there are people sitting out on their porches, reading or doing a whole lot of nothing, and they will happily chat the the passer’s by.
With all that busy detail on the cottages it could be cutesy as hell, but some how it isn’t. There is a wonderful authenticity about the place. Oh I am dying for one of these!
Whatever you do, do not miss the Tabernacle, the open sided meeting house that was built in the center of the Methodist campground, and is still in use today.
I love this picture that I took in the late afternoon with the stained glass windows reflecting on the fold up chairs all set up for an event that evening. The place has soul!
On especially lovely days, Gabs and I like to take our bikes over on the ferry from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven, and make a day of it. Vineyard Haven has a some lovely shops that we like to check in on from time to time.
I love Midnight Farm – it stocks a little bit of everything, books, clothes, pillows….There’s a relaxed boho feel about it that feels so right for island life.
Fun light fitting…
I hear that Carly Simon had something to do with the shop, but don’t quote me on that, might be an urban legend.
Gabs’ favourite shop in Vineyard Haven is the kitchen shop LeRoux Kitchen. It is sheer heaven for foodies.
Sometimes we manage to entice the hubbie off the golf course with the promise of a nice lunch at Atlantic Fish and Chop House in Edgartown, (our hands down fave lunch restaurant in our Cape Cod area) and a family photography session. One of his biggest pleasures in life is to have us all snapping away, and then comparing our pictures to see how differently we see the world.
The Atlantic restaurant spills out onto the edge of the harbor in Edgartown. It has fascinating people watching, fascinating boat watching, great service and delish food – can’t ask for more from a summer restaurant!
This is the main street of Edgartown. I love the atmosphere of New England charm and permanence.
Let the post lunch games begin!
Wonderful architectural details in the Edgartown buildings abound….
Your eye travels over the white fence, past the emerald green lawn and the vibrant day lilies, and down to the bobbing boats in the bright blue harbor. I ask you, is there a more quintessentially New England in the summer picture than that??
Drooling over other people’s real estate is so much fun!
On this occasion we happened to catch the Edgartown gardens when they were at their summer best!
Edgartown also has some nice holiday shopping.
Last time we were there we found a Turkish shop tucked down one of the side streets – most unexpected.
You could drag home a really nice looking suzani, or a pair of totally wild embroidered, Turkish, cowboy boots!
One thing I can guarantee is that it is always worth the ferry ride to go and visit this little slice of heaven. Put it on your travel wish list now!
