100th Birthday Celebration in Martha's Vineyard

No, I didn't turn 100 this year. It's a combination of my 70th and my youngest son Sean's 30th birthdays, only 2 days apart. Twenty years ago we did the same thing - a long weekend in Martha's Vineyard. This time we made reservations on Airbnb for the Tower Room at 37 Nashawena Ave in Oak Bluffs and were very happy with our choice. We brought the car along and explored pretty much the whole island (last time we just rented bikes). The weather started out cloudy and cool but by mid day Saturday the sun came out and it was beautiful. Friday we walked around Oak Bluffs, drinks on the harbor, dinner at Offshore Ale Company and finished up with music at The Risk. All great. Sean had done research and it paid off. On Saturday we had an early morning start for a half day Shore Bird Nesting tour led by Rangers from The Trustees of Reservations (the oldest environmental group in the WORLD). A beach proof truck carried us across the beach and sand dunes to the now end of Edgartown harbor. Nearly eight years after a northeaster cut a breach in the three-mile barrier beach that often connects Edgartown with Chappaquiddick, the Norton Point breach closed a year ago. Later that day we drove down to Gay Head Cliffs and Menemsha Pond, on the way stopping to see the exhibits at the Featherstone Center for the Arts. Sean bought tickets in advance for a new play at the Vineyard Haven Playhouse, "Not Constantinople" and made reservations at The Blue Canoe - right on the water nearby with excellent food. We were serenaded by the whole staff singing Happy Birthday. On Sunday we rented bikes and went down the bicycle path to Edgartown, enjoying the beach and water on both sides. There were many happy memories there from our previous trip. But it is the new memories that fill me now after such a wonderful time.

Our Airbnb home 

Oak Bluffs cottages near the Meeting Center

A charming example

And another

There are parks everywhere in town

I enjoyed an example art show here

The start of our Shore Bird Tour with ranger from The Trustees

That winning smile!

Sean rests his binoculars on the side of our truck 

This section of the beach didn't exist a year ago

Chappaquiddick Ferry - it's no longer a separate island

Edgartown harbor and light

Sean shows off his new bowl at Featherstone Center for the Arts

A close up of the beautiful glazing - done by a High School student

The cliffs at Gay Head

Gay Head Lighthouse - recently moved

Looking down to the water

And along the south coast

This gorgeous meadow stretched out along the road in North Tisbury

The view from our table at the Blue Canoe Restaurant 

It's located in the Vineyard Haven Marina (it was a little cool!)

"Grassy Cod" - fabulous

Filet Mignon with crispy onions and asparagus

Our free Birthday Key Lime Pie

Sean and I spent hours jumping off this bridge 20 years ago

Endless perfect sand beaches

We didn't need to read this after our half day tour

My marvelous pink bike!