martha's vineyard

       After we were finished exploring the mansions in Newport, we made our way back to Massachusetts and found a place to spend the night about an hour away from Wood's Hole, where the ferry to the Vineyard leaves. We got up very early, made a quick stop for breakfast, and caught the bus to the Steamship Authority. Since we had to wait for the next boat, we wandered around the little town, taking pictures with a wall of buoys and getting tea from the local coffee shop.
       It was a cloudy morning, but it was the perfect temperature in Vineyard Haven. Honestly, when we got to the Vineyard, I fell in love. It's one of the cutest places I have ever been, and within this small island lies everything 'New England.' After wandering around and poking into the adorable shops, we decided to stick with a Martha's Vineyard original for lunch, so we headed over to the Black Dog Tavern.
       The Black Dog has become an icon for the Vineyard, and there is actually a store in Newburyport. It was more expensive than our lunch in Newport, but even though it was a little touristy, it was worth it. The side of the restaurant facing the water was all open, and the view was beautiful. I'm not a huge fan of fish, so maybe it was something in the salt air that made me order a codfish sandwich. It was delicious, and came with these enormous fries and delicious cole slaw--it was the perfect New England meal.
       After lunch, we had been planning to rent bikes and let my mom have a break from us, but we were disappointed to learn that hourly rentals weren't available anywhere, and the day rate was $25. After spending $16 each on the ferry, we weren't really up for paying so much, especially when we would probably only ride them for an hour or two. Instead, we took the island bus to Edgartown, which is a little quieter than Vineyard Haven, and only cost a few dollars. My mom found a charming little park to read her book in (so she did get a break from us!), and Diana, Klaudia, and I went exploring. We got matching sweatshirts, in different colors, and got dessert before taking the bus to Oak Bluffs.
       I really didn't want to leave. It was too beautiful and too peaceful, and I actually felt like I was on vacation. I get this feeling a lot when I travel, like at these places, where it just seems tragic to have to go home to Newburyport. Even if it won't be this summer, I know that I will make go back to the Vineyard very soon.

klaudia with the real black dogs

carousel in oak bluffs

"gingerbread houses" in oak bluffs

newport

       On Monday, my mom, Diana, Klaudia, and I packed up the car and left around 6:30 to begin our little New England vacation. The original plan had been to spend Monday on Martha's Vineyard and then drive through Newport on our way home, but since rain was in the forecast, we reversed our travel plans. We arrived in Providence, RI a little before 9, mostly because we wanted to see the Brown campus. As seniors, Klaudia and I have been thinking about schools to apply to, but I don't think either of us will be putting Brown on our lists. The campus is absolutely beautiful, but the university is far too competitive.

salve regina 

sperry boat shoes=must have for rainy days

       After driving around campus, we continued on our way to Newport, a city which could not be more picture-perfect. After driving around the campus of Salve Regina University, which is really just an incredible estate of mansions and carriage houses, we went downtown and had lunch at a small, old-fashioned place, complete with a counter and a jukebox. The food was nothing to scream about, but there was a beautiful view of the harbor. After lunch we tried to walk around, but the rain was coming down in buckets, so we went back to Salve Regina to catch the 1:00 information session/tour, though we chickened out of the tour because of the rain.

salve regina

salve regina

       Next, we began my favorite part of the day: the mansion tours. Newport is home to some of the most beautiful mansions in the world, and though I have seen them from the outside several times, I had never been inside any of them. The first one we went to, The Elms, was the summer residence of Edward Berwind, owner of a coal mining company during the Gilded Age. Unfortunately, visitors aren't allowed to take pictures inside the mansions, but we took plenty in the beautiful, expansive gardens. The Elms is incredible and was modeled after a chateau in France, complete with a ballroom and a conservatory. The other mansion we visited was the most popular one, The Breakers, which was the summer home of the Vanderbilt family. Cornelius Vanderbilt was also a businessman during the Gilded Age, and The Breakers is a demonstration of his immense wealth. Frescoes cover the ceilings, chandeliers grace nearly every room, and the floors are of marble from Africa and Italy. Visiting the mansions was really a glimpse into days gone by, and I would have loved to visit all of the mansions--but it was time to make our way towards Martha's Vineyard!

the elms