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My Drive around Martha's Vineyard!
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I went back to Martha's Vineyard. The forecast was for an awesome sunny day!
I buy my ticket at the Hyannis Ferry and get in line to board the ferry. There I meet Joy who has lost her husband. She's looking all around and he's nowhere to be found. He went to park the car, and she bought the ferry tickets. Bill finally arrives. They're on a short trip from Roanoke, Virginia. Bills a mathematician. I tell them I'm on a Journey around North America and an accountant for 20 years. Joy says that's way too long. Numbers are too septic. Definitely time for a change of career. I tell them it's my second visit to Martha's Vineyard and that I'm planning on renting a car or scooter so that I can go see the far side of the island. They think the scooter rental is a marvellous idea. They haven't done that for a while. They're both in their late 60's if not early 70's. It's amazingly warm out. I sit outside at the back of the boat, they sit inside. I take a few pictures as the ferry leaves Hyannis then go inside.
We get to Oak Bluffs and I go to the car rental place. No Minis. That's the Island Rental company and they're located in Vineyard Haven. I can rent a Jeep for $ 80, regular $130. I say I'll try the scooter rental place. The guy says the scooters are limited to about 30 miles an hour and the far side of the Island would take a while at that speed. The guy says he'll rent me the Jeep for $70. SOLD! ...and I'm Off! The Jeep's fuel gauge is at about 1/8. Have to put $10 worth in. First stop...Edgartown. Park the Jeep and walk around a bit. Take a few pictures. Stop in a few stores. Most are closed. Talk to one shop owner and she says it's difficult to hire anyone after the high season so the owners have to work all the hours or close down. The Island turns into a ghost town by December. There are about 11,000 permanent residents. I mostly see workmen around town. Some tourists. Before heading to the other end of the Island I stop in at a gas station in Edgartown. There's a backhoe at the pumps and the operator is chatting with someone in a truck next to him. The other pump has a van and no one's in sight. Wait a while. Get fed up and leave. There'll be another station nearby. Just so you don't think it's an impatient "Guy thing" to leave, there was a woman behind me who also got fed up and left. It really didn't seem like the pumps were going to be available for a while.
Off to the far side of the Island. Not much to see. Some houses in the woods, but mostly just trees. Finally...some seashore. Stop...take some pictures. Lunch time. Stop at a roadside joint in West Tisbury. Low Gas indicator light comes on. Keep on driving. Arrive at the far side of the Island. Aquinnah Cliffs and Lighthouse. Hey...just noticed that that spells my Mom's maiden name...Aquin. This end of the Island is where the Native Wampanoag Tribe is situated. Wonder if there's a connection? Take a bunch of pictures. Off on the North Road towards Menemsha. Hope they have a gas station. I'm starting to worry I'll run out of gas. Get to Menemsha....well...not exactly. I'm a couple hundred feet from the gas station but can't get to it. The road stops at the opening to the harbour. There's a bike ferry, but no car ferry. I have to turn around and go back the way I came. Back around Menemsha pond...which looks like a lake to me. At least 10 miles around. Should have brought my hiking boots. Might have to use them. Drive through Chilmark...no gas station. Hope I make it to Menemsha. Finally! I didn't have to push the Jeep, hitchhike or walk, Get some gas. Take some pictures. Well....that is the purpose...right!
On the road again....yes, taking a scooter wouldn't have been enjoyable. I think my forehead is going to be burnt. That sun Is hot for the end of October. Still have a few hours to go. Decide to head towards the North coast on Indian Hill Road. No towns that way...just do some exploring...it's a dead end, so I'll have to come back the same way I went in. Drive a while and come across the most beautiful farm I have ever seen. It's just glowing. Pull over. Take a few pictures then walk a bit further to take some close-up photos of the farm house and yard. Then I notice the strangest thing, there's a 6 foot netting fence all around the property. I don't know why somebody who has such a beautiful property would imprison themselves that way. I continue down the road...exploring. I come across a sign that says "Sanctuary". I turn down the road...if you can call it that. It's a very winding, narrow and bumpy road. Glad I have the Jeep. Don't think a Mini would have made it. Somebody is coming in the opposite direction. No room to pass. Somebody has to back up. I do. Continue for a long way, wondering where I'm going and if I should actually be here. Finally arrive at the parking area. The "Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary" is a 312 acres nature preserve. There is a walking trail with various locations set up for meditating or just observing nature. It is extremely beautiful and peaceful. I spend almost an hour there. Time to head back.
Drive to Vineyard Haven. Park the Jeep. Walk around a little. Then drive to Oak Bluffs. Drive through the "local" neighbourhoods then drop off the Jeep. Walk along the pier and see a goose and some ducks. Follow them and take a bunch of pictures. The Ferry arrives and it's time to leave. I see Joy and Bill. Sit with them. They checked into renting a couple scooters and they wanted $85. Think I got the better deal. They stayed around Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven. Took a tour bus. They did find out some interesting tidbits about the Island. That John Belushi had a place here and had his funeral here also. There were like 30 jets that flew in all these movie stars. There are still a number of actors and actresses with places here. That could be the reason for the netting around that farm I saw. On my drive back from the Sanctuary I saw a few kids by the farm house. Fans have no respect for celebrities' privacy and personal property. I continue chatting with Joy and Bill. They are a wonderful couple. The sun is setting. It's amazing. More pictures... a lot more pictures. Another great day in Martha's Vineyard over!
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