Much as I love going on vacation, and much as I really love going to Martha’s Vineyard in particular, I am always so glad to come home. Even to a home such as this, with all the kitchen contents strewn about the dining room, and all the bathroom’s in the guest room, and so on. The kitchen cabinets are done and look beautiful, but we’re waiting on the new countertops, which should be here Tuesday or Wednesday. Our bathrooms won’t be started, now, until June 6th. It seems silly to bring all the stuff back in, so for tonight I just moved in some of the absolute necessities. (You know, toothbrush, shampoo, a towel for my shower, the shower curtain….)

I promised you some photos, now that I’m home on my nice, wireless, cable connection. First, my knitting update (sans photos)–the sock is exactly at the heel-turning point. I worked on it on the ferry ride this morning, but stopped when I reached that point since I knew I wouldn’t have time to do the actual heel-turn before docking and didn’t want to get stuck midway. My peacock–I’m on the very last row of the pattern charts, and once that’s done tomorrow (I just really didn’t have the energy tonight!), I get to start the edging. I can’t even begin to estimate the amount of time that will take, but I do know that I am definitely closer to the end than to the beginning!

I did take a picture of my sock on the ferry. I’ve been jokingly calling this “Doing a Harlot” because, of course, Stephanie has been photographing her sock all over the country as she’s toured around on behalf of her bookbookbook. This was the “Martha’s Vineyard” ferry the other day, which holds about 6 dozen cars and trucks, and over 1,000 passengers. We would have taken the “Islander” home this morning, except we got an earlier ferry–meaning I’ve lost my last chance to ride on the Islander. It’s being retired this year, after 51 years in service. A lot of memories on that boat!

The Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs, Mom’s favorite building on the island. (She used to go to Sunday School there when she was little!)

  This little group of statues is outside the Colonial Inn in Edgartown, and I can’t help but love it–a group of kids and their friendly, inquisitive dog. It’s fun (grin) to try to pose with your own dog nose-to-nose with the bronze one, but challenging, as you can imagine. (Especially if your dog–like mine–is freaked out by statues of dogs. “It’s not moving! It doesn’t smell right! Get me outta here!”) You can’t see Chappy in this picture, but it looks like he and the statue are greeting each other in traditional canine fashion, so…)

  Here’s the Sweet Life Cafe in Oak Bluffs. We didn’t eat here this trip, though, I recommend it. It’s expensive but really good. So why did I take its picture? Because this used to be my great-grandmother’s house, and is the one my grandmother grew up in. My Mom and I have only been there once, and sat outside on the patio for dinner, with candles, and . . . our candle would NOT stay lit. All the other tables around had no trouble; the waitress tried changing to a different candle; nothing any of us could do stopped our candle from winking out. We feel that it was the Grandmothers–Mom’s and mine–who were playing tricks on us that night. (Okay, maybe there’s a more scientific explanation, but what? And anyway, isn’t it nicer to think that they were happy to see us there and wanted us to know?)

  Another beautiful old house. The Corbin-Norton House, right on Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs. The house dates back to 1891 and had become a terrible eyesore before it was completely renovated in 1994. (It even made an appearance on “This Old House” to show off the fabulous work they did restoring this beauty.) Then in 2001, the whole thing burned to the ground. And this is what it looks like today–as if it had never happened. It’s a beautiful Victorian house, and would be no matter what, but when you know the story, too . . . really phenomenal. It’s absolutely gorgeous. Who says they don’t do this kind of craftsmanship any more? Here it is, folks!

  Mom and Chappy, in Vineyard Haven, watching the ferry.

  The obligatory Edgartown Lighthouse shot (with Chappaquiddick in the background).

  The Islander, heading off into the sunset. (Well, so it was cloudy, you get the idea!)

You know, we didn’t get “up island” at all this trip–just kept circling around through the three main town centers (Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, Edgartown), stopping by the beach (to look, not to splash–too cold!), getting food from our favorite restaurants (Linda Jean’s, Espresso Love, The Wharf, The Newes, Among the Flowers), visiting our favorite shops (Claudia’s jewelry, Moonstone Jewelers, Sanctuary, the Black Dog). We seem to get caught up in that touristy “rut,” and we both feel kind of guilty about that. There’s so much more to MV than just eating and shopping! There’s some substantial family history, too, since my grandmother grew up there, and Mom spent all her childhood summers there–my genes have been going to the island since long before it became trendy (and my great-grandmother’s got the grave marker to prove it). So, it is too superficial of us to enjoy buying shirts that say “Martha’s Vineyard” or to look forward to getting coffee at Espresso Love in the morning? (Although, really, is it our fault that they serve one of our favorite cups of coffee, anywhere? Or that The Wharf has our favorite clam chowder and Linda Jean’s our favorite lobster roll? Where else are we going to get them??)

Although, I will say that travelling with Chappy does put a damper on what we can do. He used to get terribly carsick, so that a trip up island to look at scenery wasn’t exactly something he’d appreciate. (Even still, he’s so much better in the car, but he has a nervous stomach when he gets excited and, despite my care at diet and water-changes this trip, he spit up/threw up about four times this trip.) We can’t take him for a bike ride. It’s too cold this time of year to count on a day at the beach (and besides, I burn, no matter how much sunscreen I slather on). Meandering around town is just a pleasant way to spend some time!

Which we did. We all had a good time, and we are all glad to be home! We’re going to restock the upper kitchen cabinets tomorrow, but the lower ones have to wait until we’ve got a counter top . . . and in the meantime, we’re trying to figure out how we can manage even the most basic kitchen tasks without counters or–more importantly–plumbing! Mom and I are just grateful that this is only for a few days. How on earth do people manage with renovations that go on for months?? (grin) (My hat’s off to anyone who has. It would drive me nuts!)

Speaking of nuts–do you have any idea how many blog entries I have to catch up on, now I’m home? Sheesh!

And, of course, today is my nephew’s 12th birthday . . . so, happy birthday!!

(Not only that, I’ve been out of college 16 years today . . . wow.)

Tags: Family, General, Martha's Vineyard, Uncategorized // 4 Comments »