ferries and bunnies

Holding hands by the private Edgartown wharves

With only two weeks left of our Cape Cod life, Clark and I decided it was time to shift things into high gear this weekend.  We realized recently that in our 2.5 years of living here, we had never been to Martha's Vineyard, and it dawned on us that this Saturday might be our very last opportunity to go. So,  Even though Sunday was already going to be chock full of Easter goodness; even though the day wasn't promising to be warm or calm; and even though it is most decidedly off season, we hopped a ferry bright and early Saturday morning, and headed off on an adventure.

first ferry ride! 

  The day was loosely planned at best - we knew full well that most things would be closed for another month or so.  We figured, however, that between getting to ride two huge ferry boats, and a bunch of busses, Linden's day would pretty much be made, anyway.  And Juniper is usually happy to just go with the flow and explore.

excited to be on the Vineyard

The ferry dropped us off at Vineyard Haven, where we wandered around exploring the town.  I would have been interested to pop into some of the cute little shops, but that is not an activity that is allowed with two kids in tow.  Consequently, it didn't take us long to hop a bus and continue on to Oak Bluffs.

Lunch in Oak Bluffs: fastidiously cracking appetizer peanuts

Oak Bluffs is a community I had actually been told a few things about before going - mostly due to the crazy old carousel and the "gingerbread houses" that can be found there.  We assumed that the carousel would not open for at least a few more weeks, so after a (way too expensive) pub lunch, we made our way to the "Camp Meeting Association" at Wesleyan Grove: home to what I thought might be a fun little whimsical kid's attraction (what else would "gingerbread houses entail"?).  In truth, I had absolutely no idea what we heading off to see.

What this ended up being was a strange little community, originally founded as a methodist summer religious camp in the 1800s.  Apparently, people would arrive here seasonally for day long religious services, which took place in a gigantic outdoor tabernacle, which is still there.  What started out as tents, however, have grown into these funny little houses, packed side by side, and decorated with crazy ornate trim and bold colours, appropriately earning them the "gingerbread house" designation.

The Holy Methodist Tabernacle

Some of the many "gingerbread houses"

These days, there are a few year-long residents, but most people who own these houses only come back seasonally.  Therefore, it felt like a strange little cult-like ghost town as we wandered through.  It was super interesting, but also had a kind of "I feel like I might be on the set of the X-Files" vibe.

the beginning of the end for Linden (right around nap time)

 At this point, Linden was starting to enter the "oh my goodness, I'm not actually going to nap today" crash.  We decided to try getting him to rally by heading in the direction of the bus, en route to our next destination: Edgartown.  On our way there, however, we happened to pass by this funny looking building, which turned out to be the "Flying Horses" carousel, which had JUST opened for its very first day of the season!

The crazy vintage horses at the "Flying Horses" carousel

 Of course, we stopped by for a look and a ride. Not only is this carousel old (as in, well over a century old), it is actually the oldest operating platform carousel in all of America.  It also boasted a "ring game" - you grabbed at these rings as you went around, and if you happened to grab a brass one, you got a free ride.  I'd never seen such a thing!  It was pretty cool, and worked to rally Linden.

Clark and Linden coming around the turn

 Next stop was Edgartown.  By this point, we were all pretty wiped.  Linden, in fact, sat down on the sidewalk for awhile, and stated tearfully that he was no longer able to walk.  Juniper, however, took him by the hand (this is what was happening in the first shot on the blog), and we walked long enough that we stumbled upon a small, old public library. This was EXACTLY what we needed at that particular moment.  There were jelly beans, an Easter egg-decorating craft, Easter stories, a large collection of trucks... we could have happily spent the rest of the afternoon there.  Juniper, in fact, told me that night that the library was her favourite part of the whole adventure  :)

Crafts and stories at the Edgartown public library (and a close-up of the new 'do)

 We did, however, still have to make it back to Vineyard Haven, and then back on the ferry.  So we left the comfort of the library for one last bus ride.

Linden, relieved that his dad finally agreed to carry him 

Dennis the Menace hair, riding the bus (with seat belts!)

 It was an exhausting day for everyone involved (especially poor little Linden), with a whole lot of walking, some pretty cold, stiff winds, and only a few things open, but I think we were all glad we made the effort to go.  I can see the appeal of the Vineyard the summer - it really is a beautiful spot, and there are tourist attractions galore.  But I'm glad, in the end, that we saw it in the off-season... I think it would have been completely overwhelming in the summer.

Back at home.  Unable to handle life.

 And then, Sunday was Easter!  The morning started off as you'd expect - some easter egg hunting, easter basket-exploring, and excited kids.  Apart from some books and puzzles, Juniper got a fancy princess dress, and Linden added to his train tracks.  Both were ecstatic.

Easter morning spoils!

Then, at 9am, we headed of for an easter party:  a proper outdoor egg hunt at a friend's house.  It was actually completely lovely and invigorating to be outside in the fresh air and the morning sun, even if it was still pretty chilly.

A good old fashioned outdoor egg hunt at Elise's 

And that, they say, is that about that.  There is no video this week - JuniperAndLinden.org is treating their employees to a holiday break, apparently.  See you next week!