Island Light: Into August
Lifeguards are reassuring sight at Bend in the Road beach.
Lifeguards are reassuring sight at Bend in the Road beach.
Camp Ground cottages in a row, pretty as a picture.
Camp Ground cottages in a row, pretty as a picture.
Catboat Tigress navigates Edgartown's outer harbor.
Catboat Tigress navigates Edgartown's outer harbor.
Optis sailing lessons at the East Chop Yacht Club.
Optis sailing lessons at the East Chop Yacht Club.
Unsettled weather around the Gay Head Light.
Unsettled weather around the Gay Head Light.
Spraying water aboard a Jetski on Sengie.
Spraying water aboard a Jetski on Sengie.
Kayaks to be rented by Island Spirit at Little Bridge.
Kayaks to be rented by Island Spirit at Little Bridge.
Oak Bluffs harbor crowded on a summer day.
Oak Bluffs harbor crowded on a summer day.
Family time flying kites in Ocean Park.
Family time flying kites in Ocean Park.
Edgartown osprey nest filled with a family.
Edgartown osprey nest filled with a family.
New picket fence around Lighthouse Park on East Chop.
New picket fence around Lighthouse Park on East Chop.
Pulled ashore at Owen Park.
Pulled ashore at Owen Park.
Tabernacle chairs ready for Sunday service.
Tabernacle chairs ready for Sunday service.
Looking up at the clerestory.
Looking up at the clerestory.
Crowded dinghy dock at Tashmoo.
Crowded dinghy dock at Tashmoo.
Inside Trinity Methodist Church in the Camp Ground.
Inside Trinity Methodist Church in the Camp Ground.
Solitude on a path in West Chop Woods.
Solitude on a path in West Chop Woods.
Catching the wind in Vineyard Haven's outer harbor.
Catching the wind in Vineyard Haven's outer harbor.
The page has turned on the summer calendar now, and on the Vineyard that traditionally means changeover weekend, the time when July people left and August people have arrived.
It is not so distinct anymore, because the way people live and spend their vacation time has changed. But the tradition has not been completely erased either, and so Islanders brace themselves and also look forward to August, always the busiest month of the year and the peak tourist season on the Island.
August is the epitome of all things summer.