Martha’s Vineyard summers are world renown. Endless beaches and ideal weather. Cook outs and clambakes, terraces and beach side take-out, we have al fresco dining to the extreme. No need to dress up to go out, the only requirements are shirts and shoes. It is relaxed beach-chic and cool Vineyard vibe, wardrobe optional.
Thing is, days at the ocean and nights on the town seem to be as elusive as a good night’s sleep during those two crazy months. The Vineyard IS the ideal vacation spot. We have celebrities, parties every night of the week, fundraisers and lots of people watching. We have local color and characters, we have local heroes and we have boatloads of visitors making the Vineyard exciting and diverse, alive with activity.
The only thing we don’t have is time. In the winter time stands still. It is the period between summers. It is the time that we fantasize about the summer, how much we are going to enjoy THIS one, how much time we’ll spend with family and friends…only problem is, the summers whip by in the blink of an eye. Before you can get that dinner reservation organized the window of opportunity has closed. Everybody’s gone.
Islanders and transplants know, Vineyard summers are just an illusion. Instead of days at the beach and evenings in Menemsha to watch the sunset, we are busy hustling. Got to peddle our wares and close our deals, painfully aware of the immediacy and urgency of the tiny selling season. We have to make the mortgage/rent/car payments in two months. The accelerated pace adds stress and a sense of un-manageability that is difficult to describe. It is like a time warp where the days blend into the next and before you know it the time machine has come to an abrupt halt.
Though the reality is slightly less ideal than the fantasy, we still cling to the idea that Vineyard summers are perfection and when it comes around again we’ll be ready. We’re going to get excited at the thought of friends returning and that window opening up again.
Its the end of September and though my head is still spinning, the sudden change of atmosphere is strangely comforting. As sad as I am to see it go, summer requires all of my energy to maintain the pace.
I do still feel like I’m ready for my summer season to begin despite the fact that its already gone. It’s hard to give up the fantasy, the summers of my youth that I still cling to and the people who make those memories so special. Truth be told, fall is where its at around here. So bring on the sweater weather and put away the ice cream, sanity and a sense of order have superseded my desire for activity. And it’s nice to be able to sit down and write for a while… 
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I moved to the Vineyard in February. Fortunately I am retired and got to enjoy the summer even with all the traffic though it did fly by. I am really loving autumn here. I lived in Falmouth for 35 years so the weather is the same but the island seems quieter than Falmouth which I love.
Hi Joan,
Welcome to island paradise! Hope you enjoy the Vineyard as much this winetr as you have this fall!
Thanks for stopping by my blog.