Tag Archives: photography

Cape Cod Day 4…. the Oak Bluffs Victorians.

January 8, 2020 Rivergirl 16 Comments

Martha’s Vineyard is lovely.

An oasis of windswept rugged shores…

Small fishing communities…

And marshlands.

But the sun was going down and there was still too much left to see! The husband told me we had enough daylight for one more site, so I knew it had to be Oak Bluffs.

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Everyone we spoke to recommended we go there and see the marvelous Victorians, so we did.

Not really sure where we were going, or where they actually were, we found a narrow street…

And a few rows of small houses. Yes, they were cute…. but I figured that couldn’t be what all the fuss was about.

And then we turned a corner.

And the houses got larger.

And larger.

And larger still.

In a word?

Stunning.

One after another, lined up facing the ocean.

It was quite impressive.

Naturally, I’m hanging out the window like a crazed canine clicking away, taking pictures of as many as I can.

Pretty close.

Just imagine her holding an iPhone….

I wanted to get out and walk but the husband was having none of it.

Yes, the day was ending….

But… but…

I know I didn’t photograph them all!

( It wasn’t until I returned home and did a little research that I realized we had missed the most famous part! Next time. )

Sun setting…

We headed back to the ferry….

And got ready to say goodbye to the beautiful Vineyard.

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Cape Cod day 4…. where we search in vain for a lighthouse to explore on Martha’s Vineyard.

January 7, 2020 Rivergirl 39 Comments

Who doesn’t love a lighthouse? Raise your hand.

If your hand is up, go sit in the corner while the rest of the nice people enjoy this post.

We didn’t have any luck exploring the first lighthouse we’d found since it was on private property, but hope springs eternal.

Decisions, decisions.

East Chop has a lighthouse?

Decision made.

Yay!

A lighthouse….

Boo… a gate that closed it to the public.

0 for 2, we headed to the next one. We’re nothing if not persistent.

Onward!

But apparently not that way.

In case you’re wondering? I’ll take that house, right there.

Oh, alright. I’ll take Idris Elba as well.

So… Gay Head Light.

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We found it, parked down below and walked through the gate.

Then we saw it.

It…

And the gate that blocked the entrance to it.

May I just say…. WTF Martha’s Vineyard?

Strike 3. Okay, I give up.

There it is, a perfectly nice lighthouse.

I’m sure it was marvelous inside, not that we’ll ever know.

But the views of the Aquinnah Cliffs?

Admittedly, pretty wonderful.

Wind?

A wee bit.

Goodbye hairdo. Next trip to the Vineyard? I’m wearing a hat and never taking it off.

And because every vacation post must have rocks?

Rocks.

Rocks that mark the sight where the lighthouse originally stood.

Rocks.

Rocks with the late afternoon sun.

You’re welcome.

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Cape Cod Day 4, Black Dog Tavern, Vineyard Haven.

January 6, 2020 Rivergirl 33 Comments

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If you live in New England, I can guarantee you’ve seen numerous bumper stickers, t shirts and assorted swag with the ubiquitous black dog silhouette.

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But on day 4 of our fabulous Cape Cod adventure, we had lunch at the real thing.

The original Black Dog Tavern on Martha’s Vineyard.

For a sweetly illustrated history, click here.

It’s a rustic little place…

With some fabulous views.

Filled with maritime history as well as the flavor of the sea….

And on the day we had lunch there?

Even an adorable real life black dog on the beach.

(No worries… it was a cool day, he had water and his owners checked on him regularly.)

Cocktail?

Don’t mind if I do….

Since we were at the Black Dog, I tried a Black Dog Orange Crush.

Which might have to become my new favorite way to wake up the day.

Happily sipping, we enjoyed watching the ferry.

The boats..

The harbor…

And local craft beer disappear.

But yes, the food. We came for food…

Quahog chowder. Thick, creamy and delicious with homemade croutons made for a nice start.

What’s a quahog you ask?

It’s a large hard shelled clam.

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Isn’t that just typical human behavior?

Name your pet, then kill him to find out how old he is.

Sorry Ming, you deserved better. And I sincerely hope you weren’t in our soup.

I was in the mood for a good chargrilled burger and this one didn’t disappoint.

The husband? He inhaled two dozen mussels.

Replete, we said goodbye to the real black dog….

The views…

The pier….

And the original Black Dog Tavern.

Fervently wishing they would come to Maine and build one on our coast!

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Cape Cod Day 4 … a special moment in Menemsha, Martha’s Vineyard

January 4, 2020 Rivergirl 30 Comments

When we left Edgartown I saw a sign saying Menemsha, and something in the deep dark recesses of my brain sparked.

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To be honest, I didn’t even know why until I got there.

The art wasn’t familiar.

Neither were the warnings about jellyfish and nude bathing…. two things that should never be experienced together.

So while the husband made a new friend…

I walked around wondering why this particular place had called to me.

Wind?

Just a wee bit…

It was a lovely spot.

And as I wandered…

I realized what I was doing.

I was walking in my late father’s footsteps.

He was an artist….. and had painted this very spot.

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That’s why we were there.

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Because all my life….. I’d seen the word Menemsha on a few of his paintings and never knew what it meant.

I lost my father when I was 15.

Much too young…

We missed so many things.

But for a moment, on this day….

He walked with me.

And my heart was full.

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Cape Cod Day 3…. the Pilgrim Trail, Plymouth

December 31, 2019 Rivergirl 29 Comments

Behind the (not so historic) grist mill? A path….

That turned out to be more historical than the building we paid to see.

It was a lovely walk….

That followed the brook.

The murals were fun.

And certainly brightened up the underpass.

The path led to a park.

And I have to admit I’ve always been a sucker for a good park.

Maybe it’s because I grew up in New Jersey where large properties are for the uber rich.

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Maybe it’s because parks are always a refuge of green open space in the middle of a city.

Maybe it’s because you can tell a lot about a place by what they display in their parks….

Like this statue dedicated to the many immigrants who have flocked to our shores.

Maybe it’s because it’s just a nice place to walk your dog…

Whatever the reason, it was a nice way to approach downtown Plymouth and the harbor.

Where I’d finally get to lay eyes the most famous rock of all time…

Plymouth Rock!

Come on…

You had to know that was coming, right?

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Cape Cod Day 2, a feel for the Cape…. and food.

December 23, 2019 Rivergirl 20 Comments

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Leaving Hyannis, we headed out on Route 28 towards Dennisport.

Past marshes…

Windswept grasses…

And homes that perch along the shores.

With weathered shingles and wide porches to catch the breeze and the views.

These are the homes I think of when I envision the Cape.

Fabulous places built to withstand the elements.

And windmills?

No, not usually. But we saw quite a few of them.

As well as homes with their very own lighthouses.

Tell your mother in law her bedroom is up there and see how often she comes to visit.

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But enjoying the scenery is hard work, so…

Lunch….

At Clancy’s in Dennisport.

Perched on the Swan River….

We dined, and drank… with a view.

And since cranberries rule in the Cape…

I had the Cape Cod cranberry mule.

Along with some rich creamy chowder…

And a wonderful scallop roll I forgot to photograph until I had demolished it.

I know.

But hey, I was hungry… be happy you got soup.

And a picture of the pretty ladies room sinks…

With free salt rub, that the bartender told us everyone steals. Bowl, saucer, spoon et al.

WTH ladies?

Share with your sisters.

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Cape Cod, Day 2… JFK memorial park, the beach and some grazing geese.

December 22, 2019 Rivergirl 12 Comments

Close to the harbor we found a nice beach…

Framed by those lovely shingle sided homes that are so typically Cape Cod.

And quintessentially coastal New England.

I’ve always loved them.

Up from the beach?

Canada Geese, lined up like bowling pins.

I love me some goosers!

And behind the goosers?

The JFK memorial.

On this day, quiet…

Reverential…

And filled with grazing geese.

I imagine this park is packed during the summer….

But happily we had it mostly to ourselves that day.

Well, us….

And 17 adorable water fowl.

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Cape Cod, Day 2… Hyannis, JFK socks and creative pooper scooping.

December 21, 2019 Rivergirl 14 Comments

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As many of you probably know, John F. Kennedy’s family’s compound is in Hyannis… and when you’re there it’s pretty hard to escape the fact. Streets, housing developments, restaurants…. they’re all named for some part of the Kennedy legacy. So we said if you can’t beat em, join em….. and visited the JFK museum.

Unfortunately it was under construction when we visited…

So there won’t be any good exterior shots…

Or good interior shots for that matter because photography was prohibited. I’m not really sure why, as there were very few vintage artifacts to flash damage. And to be honest, the whole place was disappointing. It consisted of multiple rooms filled with large photos, prints and news clippings that I could have just easily researched online. From my couch, in my pajamas. The real museum is in Boston… so my advice? Skip this one and drive to beantown.

Unless you’re in desperate need of some presidential socks…

Which I bootlegged a picture of.

Since it was a beautiful day, we strolled to the harbor next.

Where the husband made friends with a seagull..

Who didn’t seem too pleased with the rules.

Being off season and November, the art shanties were vacant…

But it must be wonderful to walk there in the summer and watch local artists at work.

This time of year the harbor was home to charter and fishing boats.

As most of the tourists have fled for warmer ports.

But it was a pretty spot to watch the ferry come in from Martha’s Vineyard.

And enjoy the day.

Unless you’re a dog walker….

Who apparently have to follow closely behind their pets and strategically aim a saucepan at Fido’s butt.

Good times.

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Resort hopping Part 2. The Mountain View Grand.

December 16, 2019 Rivergirl 27 Comments

Hidden away in tiny Whitefield, New Hampshire is a gem.

A sprawling hotel…

Packed with old world charm.

Sadly they were renovating the front entrance when we visited so we had to sneak in the side.

Look at those doors!

Chess anyone?

I’m a sucker for a good porch.

And this one did not disappoint.

I could happily plop here with a good book….

A pitcher of margaritas…

And never leave.

Back inside, I checked out the wall of history…

And some great old photographs…

While the husband continued his “I shall pee everywhere I can in Western Maine and New Hampshire” challenge with an upscale rest room this time.

And speaking of rest rooms…

Even I had to check out the pink marble in theirs.

But ooh la la…

There were private sinks inside the ladies room stalls.

Is that some chic shit or what?

Moving on through the lounge…

We found a dining room… and the place where we would spend the next two hours.

The bar.

Don’t look surprised, you knew it was coming.

One Lemonflower Martini…

One Cranberry Orange Margarita…

And one Melon Margarita later…

(Don’t judge me.

They had a 6 page cocktail list and tequila soaked cranberries…. I had to.)

There were some crab cakes.

Some smiley face crab cakes… and yes, that was on purpose.

Crab cakes weren’t supposed to be served that time of day, or at all in the tavern for that matter….. but when you make friends with the bartender?

Anything is possible.

An afternoon well spent, we poured ourselves out the door.

And lamented the fact we wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

Even mid facelift..

She’s an elegant old broad.

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White Mountains trip… Day 7. The beginning of the end.

December 14, 2019 Rivergirl 27 Comments

On the 7th and final full day of our trip, the husband woke up and said no more hiking, climbing and jumping rocks.

Or rather his back did…

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So we did what any (not so) able bodied tourists would do…

We had a long lazy breakfast…

And resort hopped the day away.

Our first stop was a brand new place perched at the bottom of Mount Washington.

While it didn’t look like much from the front, the views out back were wide open.

With a large deck…

Ample seating, and a fire pit to take it all in.

Inside there was a nice dining room..

Filled with old photos…

And history of the area.

But it was the lounge and bar that drew our attention.

(You’re shocked, I know.)

It had my kind of moose head mounted over the mantle…

And a wall of windows…

That made for a damn near perfect spot to drink.

So we drank.

(You’re surprised, I know.)

My Thyme In Mumbai please…

Yes, I believe that tasted like another one.

The bartender/waitress was a hoot and had us sample a new hard cider by North Country called Squashed. I’m not a fan of all that pumpkin spiced crap but this was heavenly. Light, crisp with delicate undertones… I was hooked. Until I researched it and realized you could only buy it by visiting their tasting room.

Future road trip itinerary – check!

Thinking it might be a good idea to have some food to soak up the alcohol, I opted for a crab cake that was the size of a large saucer and pure crab. It was sublime.