Martha's Vineyard: Sunsets and Fireworks

Ah, leaving Nantucket. Loading up the ferry boat -- it was like the line at Disney World! But once again we went to the upper deck (after all, the hair can't get any worse than it already was!) and enjoyed the sights of Nantucket Harbor.

Most of those sights involved large yachts!

Given our travel time of the year and the fact that we were on the far east of the east coast, we expected a sunset cruise and the evening light was rich and golden.

Along the way, we noticed this boat with loads of people on it. That looked fun, too! Maybe next time.

We were pleased to strike up a conversation with Frank from New Jersey, and his son, James. We learned he was on the Board of Governors at Rutgers and since both his university and our local school, Michigan State, are in the Big Ten, there was lots to talk about!

And then came the sunset.

Well, what can I say. Headed straight into it, beautiful skies. Glorious.

Going, going, gone.

It was dark when we pulled into Oak Bluffs harbor, lights sparkling. We could have headed home, but no!

We had a destination, a slam-bang, big noise finale to our lovely day!

We made our way to the boardwalk where we had a ringside seat!

And settled in for the big show!

Well, Oak Bluffs, you sure know how to put on a good fireworks celebration!

And, you also know how to offer a great finale to our last full day of vacation.

But our plane doesn't leave till late tomorrow -- so there's still a little more fun to come!

Martha's Vineyard: Island Alpaca

It was Wednesday now, and Rick's work would be finished at four. So I decided to take off and see more of the island. To be honest, I got lost trying to find Island Alpaca, but after lunch (and better directions!) I got there.

This is an alpaca farm. They also do their own yarns and have a shop with both their own (and other) merchandise. (Yes, I did. Pink alpaca for a scarf and a couple of Christmas gifts, one of which I'm considering keeping because I love it so much!)

I loved these sweet faced animals. You could see them in the barns...



...or out in their pens outdoors where a guide explained a bit about the animals.



I was particularly fond of the white ones.



After that, I picked up Rick and we went to Vineyard Haven. We'd planned to do a bit of shopping there but it was so crowded that we ended up at a beach on the Edgartown end of Main Street.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't Vineyard Haven's best beach. It was very small and the sand wasn't the best. But it was fine for a walk and boat watching.

And to catch a glimpse or two of a gull!

Then it was to Oak Bluffs again. We were drawn back here like moths to a flame.

There was nothing about this little town I didn't adore! (Well, almost nothing)


Our plan was a little shopping and dinner. The shopping was fine. The dinner -- not so much.



Let's just say that if you are on Martha's Vineyard and considering a stop at a restaurant called Beetlebung, check out my trip advisor review first. Very disappointing. Maybe it was a bad night for them. Or maybe we were overly tired and hungry. Either way...we won't be back.

That was the one thing about Oak Bluffs I did not adore!

But then it was an early night because we had big plans for the next day! An early morning ferry to Nantucket!

Martha's Vineyard -- The Grand Illumination

Sometimes you have a moment, an event, an experience, that simply defies expectations, that makes you believe in magic, the magic of feeling, of being.

That's the experience I had with the Grand Illumination in Oak Bluffs.

A couple of posts ago, we visited the Martha's Vineyard Camp Ground in Oak Bluffs and so many of you, like me, loved the gingerbread houses. But you haven't seen anything yet!

The Illumination is an annual event taking place the third Wednesday of August, with a Friday rain-date for back-up. It is the time when residents of the gingerbread cottages hang lanterns and join in a celebration that includes a sing-along.

This tradition began in 1868 when the Governor of Massachusetts was visiting Oak Bluffs. What a welcome!

Our evening began as we walked to the camp ground, noticing that the houses were decorated with lanterns. It was getting close to dusk.

               

We went right to the campground's Tabernacle, a huge, open air but covered structure that is quite magnificent in itself.

Numerous stained glass windows high on the structure offer light. There is a stage and seating for 4,000.

Graduations are held here and so is the Grand Illumination community sing. The Vineyard Haven band was playing when we arrived and we were lucky to get a seat inside. Many, many attendees were gathered on the green outside the Tabernacle.

After selections by the band, a gentleman led the community sing. It was filled with the fun kinds of songs that if we didn't grow up with them, our parents did! We started with the "Star Spangled Banner" and then joined in on "East Side, West Side," "In the Good Old Summertime," a patriotic medley, "Yankee Doodle Dandy," and many more.

When you hear 4,000-plus voices raised in song and see the smiles (especially with some of the "action" songs that included hand motions, it gives you a bit of goosebumping!

At the magic hour, the lights are turned off and the oldest member of the campground lights the first lantern. Then the lanterns on the tabernacle come on.

Then, like magic, every house lights the lanterns with which they have decorated their porches, balconies and front yards.

              

All the people walk from house to house -- in no order, just as it suits you. Residents are almost always on the porch, often enjoying snacks with friends, and eager to accept compliments from the passers by.

 The amount of work put into this is significant. And fast. Remember, I was there the day before and there wasn't much of a hint of action going on. A few people were setting up some lights but for the most part, all the decorating had been done that day.

              

The whole event was such a display of community, of heart, of love of tradition and love of home. It was incredibly moving.

What's more, is that the next day we came back in the morning on the way to the ferry. And every lantern was gone.

Poof.

Disappeared.

And when it was over, when we were back in our room, all I could think of was community.

And beauty.

Creativity.

Dedication.

And yes...

...magic.

(And p.s. -- if you're not tired of Illumination night yet, check out this older Susan Branch post. She nails it -- from an Islander's perspective, too!

This post is linked to Share Your Cup and Thoughts of Home on Thursday.  Please visit for fun links about all sorts of things you'll enjoy!