We were hoping and hoping that the weather and sea conditions would allow us to make a stop at Menemsha. We anchor outside in Menemsha Bight and that is only possible with calm seas and winds in the right direction. It looked good for a visit after Cuttyhunk and before Block Island.
The boats are anchored peacefully in Menemsha Bight.
The best thing about Martha’s Vineyard is the different harbors. One island, but the harbors have distinctly different vibes. Menemsha is a historic small working fishing village.
Jay Lagemann’s 17-foot Swordfish Harpooner has stood on the dunes in Menemsha harbor since 1994. It is one of my favorite sights here in Menemsha. We met Jay while riding the MV transit bus in 2012 and had a very nice chat.
There was a threat of rain in the air but we wanted to walk around, have lunch and visit some of our favorite spots here.
Scenery along the harbor’s edge.
A must- do is to have a meal at Menemsha Fish Market, eating it outdoors on the rough wood tables and seats. More lobster rolls – testing them everywhere we go.
We walked up the road and discovered that the shops, cafe, and market have all closed. The landlord evicted the tenants and has plans to ……… I guess that remains to be seen. It was disappointing to see this.
We were relieved to find that The Copperworks survived and moved in to share space at the antique shop. Beetlebung, another favorite store, has only the one location now in Oak Bluffs.
The storm looked imminent so we rushed back to the boats. After the rain passed by, we decided to do a little beach combing.
An early evening walk along the beach to search for wampum and sea glass.
Happy beachcombers with their boats in the background.
We did find some sea glass and wampum. Back on the boat I decided this was a good place to return a bag of old “unfinished” sea glass to the ocean for more tumbling and polishing.
Here was an interesting discovery along the water’s edge. Back in 2016 (top photo) we saw this partially buried sailboat and here it still is. I don’t recall seeing it on any visits in the past 8 years. Perhaps it had been completely buried and is now unearthed again by shifting sands and waves.
Menemsha has the most beautiful sunsets.
Tuesday, August 27th we pulled up our anchors and departed at 8:00 am for the 40 nautical mile trip to Block island. The seas were amazingly flat with gentle ocean rollers. A motor vessel’s dream.
Evidence of very calm waters. The flat sea made it easy to spot dolphins and……. A WHALE!!!! I have no photographic evidence to prove it, but I can say it was an exciting sight to see. He/she surfaced quietly, and then gently descended with a flip of the tail.
Block Island’s North Light – we are almost there!
AIS is a very helpful tool while boating, but when everyone leaves their AIS on while anchored, it makes for a busy screen. This also shows just how crowded Block gets in August. We had to anchor in 30-feet of water near the “playground” at the north end of Salt pond.
Another visual of how many boats were in the Salt Pond. Oooohhhh, it’s Labor Day weekend! That’s why. Note to self – do not stop here on a holiday weekend. But we knew that, and did it anyway.
Al sounds the conch horn at sunset for our first evening at Block Island.
The annual cinnamon bun passing in honor of a special Dahl anniversary date.
I love walks on Scotch Beach, especially when there aren’t too many people. The beach was surprisingly quiet. The rocks along the shore are one of the unique features of Scotch Beach. The surf crashes against the rocks and swirls around them.
Erosion is still a significant issue on the east shore of Block Island. The top photo is a long section where the erosion is very obvious. This homeowner took steps to try and halt the erosion. The lower photo shows how much the grass has filled in since June when we were last here.
This beach is a perfect place to take a break and build a rock cairn.
Remember that distressed Boston Whaler that we saw in June? It is actually in the water and in use! The bottom photo is a “customized” Whaler that we have seen out and about. These whaler photos are a preview of a future blog that shall remain a mystery for now.
Dead Eye Dick’s, our favorite restaurant on Block Island. Cindy and I agreed that they have one of the best lobster rolls around.
The Saturday Farmers’ Market which had crafts but almost no farm items.
The crowded harbor does produce a sparkling light show at night when the anchor lights are lit.
We left Block early on Sunday morning (yes, before Labor Day) to head home to Shennecossett. Al needed a flashlight to see the mud clinging to the anchor and chain.
A really nice three weeks of cruising. What’s not to like about this life?
once again your pictures delight me…my former students and their parents live in martha’s vineyard and are always going to menemsha for fresh seafood…it’s 8:00 in the morning and i want a really good lobster roll…your fault! it continues to amaze me how you and your boating friends do so much and have such a good time doing it! am i mistaken or did i NOT see ice cream?
i am so glad you both enjoy cruising around and taking pictures and sharing them…i know it’s a lot of work, but it seems to me that it is so worth it! thanks so much for sharing. xo
Oh my! You are right – We had no ice cream at Menemsha and Block. We never even walked into town at Block. Out on the water is our happy place. We may not engage in vigorous activities anymore but we do love it.
Ellen Seltzer
once again your pictures delight me…my former students and their parents live in martha’s vineyard and are always going to menemsha for fresh seafood…it’s 8:00 in the morning and i want a really good lobster roll…your fault! it continues to amaze me how you and your boating friends do so much and have such a good time doing it! am i mistaken or did i NOT see ice cream?
i am so glad you both enjoy cruising around and taking pictures and sharing them…i know it’s a lot of work, but it seems to me that it is so worth it! thanks so much for sharing. xo
watsons
Oh my! You are right – We had no ice cream at Menemsha and Block. We never even walked into town at Block. Out on the water is our happy place. We may not engage in vigorous activities anymore but we do love it.
Prue Preston
Wonderful cap to your summer. I miss those places already.