September 30 - October 2, Martha's Vineyard

Day 2 - Saturday, October 1

Having stopped at a local grocery store for coffee, filters, and 1/2 and 1/2 (first-thing-in-the-morning necessities!) Friday, I was good to go for a bit on Saturday. Brother wanted breakfast, and as our destination was Edgartown we headed that way. Our goal was sightseeing, a museum, and a light house :). And breakfast (the Inn did not have food).

We stopped at a likely looking restaurant in Edgartown, but their breakfast service was just over. My brother asked if there was another place in the area. He can be very charming, especially with the ladies! The cashier, quite helpful after he loaded on the charm, pointed us in the direction of several local spots.

We opted for Edgartown Diner - what a wonderful place! I love diners, and this one was great. Diners (the REAL ones) serve no-nonsense hearty food, and this was no exception! I had a huge omelet, and brother had eggs benedict. Juice and coffee, of course, and we were good to go!

Saturday's weather was not quite as bad as Friday's, although it was still quite drizzly and chilly. Headed through Edgartown towards Martha's Vineyard Museum. It houses a wealth of history!

The museum winds its way from room to room, each with a different exhibit. It explains how Martha's Vineyard was formed and broken off the mainland milleniums ago when the glaciers melted. The whaling and shipping industries took place during more recent centuries (early and late 19th century, respectively).  Some of the artifacts they house are absolutely priceless. 

Furniture, musical instruments and a myriad of items salvaged from ship wrecks in the early 1800s. Articles of clothing actually worn during the early days of settling the Island and as the Vineyard gradually turned into a resort area.

The display of scrimshaw in the museum!! Wow. Absolutely outstanding. I have never seen so many beautiful pieces displayed in one place at the same time. There was even a cribbage board made of scrimshaw.

Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw

Scrimshaw cribbage board (top)

 The museum had a room in progress with a few exhibits of Native American art which they are expanding. The Island was originally home to the Wamapnoag, one of the 4 tribes officially recognized in Massachusetts. The Vineyard has been their home for over 10,000 years. The pottery produced from the clay of Aquinnah is absolutely goregeous.

Pottery from Aquinnah clay

Dioramas.... Again with clipper ships!! Beautifully done and so very fascinating to me.

 

 

Clipper ship diorama

Whaling ship diorama

 
 There were also a few out buildings as well, although not accessible to the public (for obvious reasons). A carriage shed housed a wooden carriage and hearse, and several wooden boats ("cats") made especially for navigating the shallow waters of the Island, as well as a Native American canoe - all hand-hewn. It was protected by plexiglass and (mostly) plastic in the front, which makes for terrible pictures.

Finally, there was a small replica of a lighthouse that housed the original 1856 Gay Head Fresnel lens which was displayed at the 1855 Paris World's Fair. At the bottom of the lighthouse - which is not open to the public - its first lens (parabolic) rests.

Museum lighthouse

Fresnel lens

The Fresnel lens is a first order lens - the largest made.

Old parabolic lens

From the web site: "The first order Fresnel lens that is on the Museum's campus was ordered for Gay Head Lighthouse, in order to provide it with a more powerful light. This lens was made in France in 1854 and served as the Gay Head Light from 1856 until it came to the Museum in 1952. The Fresnel lens was replaced at the Gay Head Lighthouse by an electrical beacon."

 


After the museum, we drove around Edgartown a bit more. Turned back toward Oak Bluffs, and stopped at the East Chop lighthouse! I was so, so happy!! We ran into a wedding party who was just finishing their photos on the lawn by the lighthouse. It was drizzling and chilly, and I felt bad for the bride wearing a strapless gown in that weather next to the ocean! She had a big smile, however :)

East Chop lighthouse

East Chop lighthouse

East Chop lighthouse

After all that, we both needed an adult refreshment, so we ended up in downtown OB again, and wetted our whistles at the MV Chowder Co. 

It was right across the street from the Flying Horses Carousel, which houses the oldest known wooden platform carousel still in operation in the US.

From the website: "The Flying Carousel is the nation’s oldest platform carousel and has been designated by the U.S. Department of the Interior as a national landmark. Constructed in 1876 by Charles Dare, it is one of only two Dare carousels still in existence. Originally operated as a Coney Island, NY amusement, it was moved to Oak Bluffs in 1884."

Entrance to carousel

So of course - we had to take a ride! We got the last one of the day, and alas I did not catch the brass ring. It was still so much fun!!

Carousel

Carousel

Headed back to the Inn after that. Brother wanted a short nap before dinner, but I knew if I took one I would end up sleeping for hours. So I took some pictures, and sat on the porch for a bit and perused some literature.

We had decided on a nice dinner that night, and chose the Oceanview Restaurant in Oak Bluffs. It was excellent and it was perfect! I was in desperate need of steak, and got a perfect sirloin. Brother had prime rib. We were both so full after dinner we could not eat another bite, so we each ordered dessert to go. Well I did anyhow! Brother ordered a slice of key lime pie, and could not resist taking a bite. One led to another and another :) - he had eaten almost half of it by the time we paid the bill and headed back into the bar for after-dinner drinks.

Blender issues again! No frozen mudslide that night :( I did, however, get an excellent (non-frozen) mudslide.

Headed back to the Inn, had a nightcap, and made a loose plan to peruse the myriad of shops in OB Sunday before the ferry back.

Day 3, and more pictures! will follow tomorrow.

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I am adding a footnote about the museum and their stewardship from their website. It is an excellent cause and one that peaks my interest, and that is why.

Museum Stewardship
As the steward of these lighthouses, the Martha's Vineyard Museum is raising money to maintain these functioning historic beacons. Admission and rental fees are used to help offset the costs of maintaining these structures. The MVM also encourages donations from the public to help renovate when necessary. If you are interested to donating money to the Museum's efforts to preserve the lighthouses, please consult the Support Page for more information. Or, contact the Director of Development Dan Waters at 508-627-4441 x121.