First Trip To Martha's Vineyard
With COVID robbing us of spring and summer as we knew it, I was in need of an escape from New York City and the nightly fireworks. My girls and I packed up the car and drove 4.5 hours to Massachutes before boarding the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. It was our first time going to the Vineyard and after our five-night stay we’ve committed to returning every year. While this trip was a mix of work (since working from home means wherever wifi is available) and fun, it was relaxing overall.
We stayed in Oaks Bluff, the historically Black community which Maya Angelo once described as “a safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned”. Our Airbnb was lovely! It included a wrap-around porch, a large grassy yard, and was within walking distance to Inkwell Beach and town. While this was a vacation, we’re still in the midst of a global pandemic. That said, we took extra precautions, cooked several meals at home, and made sure to practice social distancing when out in public. This did not stop us from exploring all that Oaks Bluff and Martha’s Vineyard had to offer.
Transportation: Many of the blogs I read in preparation for this trip said a car was not a necessity, but I would slightly disagree. There’s so much to explore on the island including several beaches and cliffs that were not within walking distance. It’s definitely nice to have rather than a need to have, but I’d highly recommend it. Most residential areas have driveways and street parking available.
Biking: Did you really experience MV if you didn’t take a bike ride along the coast? My friends and I rented bikes from King’s Rentals in town and spent the afternoon biking from Oaks Bluff to Edgartown Lighthouse. (Whispers -Visiting lighthouses is also a rite of passage in Martha’s Vineyard, so I’ve been told!).
Food: From the fresh seafood we picked up at Edgartown Seafood Market and prepared at home to the biscuits from Biscuits, the food was bomb! The two stands outs were late-night donuts from Back Door Donuts and Burgers from Fat Ronnies. We ordered one of everything on the menu at Back Door Donuts and I have no regrets. My favorites were the huge apple fritter and the honey dipped donut. All I’ll say about Fat Ronnies is there’s a reason the Obama’s dine at this Black Owned establishment! Trust me you won’t be disappointed. Between the four of us, we tried the Signature Smoked Bacon and Cheddar Burger, Turkey Burger, and Lobster Rolls. Everyone was pleased.
Sites: Oaks Bluff is the small town backdrop of a Hallmark Movie. Spend a day walking around taking in the sites. Start at the Gingerbread Cottages within the Oaks Bluff Campground. These brightly colored, well-decorated homes reminded me of stories I read as a child. I felt like I was in a fantasy land. From there explore the shops on Circuit Ave and just keep walking to see what you find. If you get lost remember - all roads lead to the beach!
I can’t wait to see what we discover upon our return next year.
