The Honeymoon Begins

Our original plan for our honeymoon was to hike the Long Trail in Vermont.  Our trip to EMS supplied us with our tent, packs and supplies.  However, after much thought about the timing of our trip, we put it on the back burner for perhaps the fall.  Remembering the black flies and rainy season in Vermont this time of year would not make for such a fun adventure.  Then we planned a cruise to Alaska to view the Inner Passage, but again the timing was off for us. Luckily, we did get a refund of our deposit!  Deciding we needed to stay closer to home (puppies on the way and an upcoming family reunion) Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket seemed to be a romantic getaway in which to spend a honeymoon.  So, two days after the last day of school, we were on a ferry with our RV and car in the belly of the boat as we sailed our way to Oaks Bluff.  The morning was covered in pea soup fog, but quickly burned off as we approached the island.

  We set up camp at Martha's Vineyard Family Campground.  Spacious sites adorned with majestic oaks to keep our sight private and shaded.  Afterall, we are on our honeymoon!

  This beautiful triangular shaped island is bounded on the northeast by Nantucket Sound and the northwest by Vineyard Sound and the Atlantic Ocean to the south.  With a bluebird sky in store for us, we quickly headed in the car back to Oaks Bluff for a waterside lunch.  This seaside town is relatively young by island standards, and since its economy had more to do with recreation than with the time-honored whaling or shipping trades of Edgartown and Vineyard Haven, it evolved with a much more frivolous, lighthearted air.  Instead of serviceable, weather-hardy saltboxes or dignified captains' houses, Oak Bluffs is filled with whimsical, multi-colored gingerbread cottages.  It also leans towards pure entertainment with seaside restaurants and bars.  Perfect place for lunch!

 We dined at "Nancys" where I had the most incredible bloody mary with huge shrimp that adorned the lip of  my glass.  We then took a walking tour of the Methodist revival campground that is surrounded by the gingerbread houses pictured above.

After reflecting and taking in the quaintness of this town, we were ready to head to the beach.  We were told to visit the Gay Head Cliffs in Aquinnah on the west side of the Island.  We toured the lighthouse and took in the amazing scenery as we walked the beach.

 --

--

----

We strolled along the base of the cliffs taking in the salt air and abundance of sunshine.  What lurked around the corner took both of us by surprise.  We had stumbled upon a nude beach where sunbathers were enjoying the warm sun on their bronzed bodies.  Of course, my shirt was off in seconds and Guy quickly following my lead was brave enough to strip down to wearing only his flip flops.  The ocean breeze caressed our bodies as we continued our walk trying not to be embarrassed by our nakedness. It actually turned out to be quite freeing as we immersed ourselves in the moment.

The sun burning our skin "where the sun don't shine" brought our journey to an end as we hopped back in the car letting the road lead us to our next destination.  Luck have it, we stumbled upon the ferry that hops across the water to Chappaquiddick Island.  Of course, we had to visit Dykes Bridge, the site of the Ted Kennedy mishap that took the life of Mary Jo Kopechne on July 18th 1969.

---

The island is quite rural with no restaurants or shops and residents have to take the ferry across Norton Point Beach for activities of daily living.

  Many of the roads are dirt with only one paved road throughout the island.  We crossed Dykes bridge and sat at the ocean's edge for a bit before heading back into Edgartown. This quaint seaside town is the location where the movie "Jaws" was filmed.  We had a light dinner and strolled the streets and shops taking in all the sights before heading back to base camp for the night.

It was a strange silence to return to the RV and not have any of our dogs anxiously waiting for our return.  This is the first time we will have traveled without our four legged friends in tow.