Island Light: Soon Enough
Keeping a watchful eye on Edgrtown harbor.
Keeping a watchful eye on Edgrtown harbor.
East Chop Gems on their off-season cradles.
East Chop Gems on their off-season cradles.
Fulling Mill Brook winds through Chilmark countryside.
Fulling Mill Brook winds through Chilmark countryside.
Menemsha jetty.
Menemsha jetty.
Old-time amusements at Alley's.
Old-time amusements at Alley's.
Gay Head Light isIsland's westernmost beacon.
Gay Head Light isIsland's westernmost beacon.
Birdhouse in Long Point plains.
Birdhouse in Long Point plains.
Winter is not over quite yet.
Winter is not over quite yet.
Slough Cove in Edgartown.
Slough Cove in Edgartown.
Trucks await passage across the sound in Vineyard Haven ferry line.
Trucks await passage across the sound in Vineyard Haven ferry line.
Barricade keeps East Chop Drive car free and open for pedestrians.
Barricade keeps East Chop Drive car free and open for pedestrians.
Riding the waves off Aquinnah.
Riding the waves off Aquinnah.
Robins munch on sumac berries.
Robins munch on sumac berries.
Overlooking Menemsha harbor.
Overlooking Menemsha harbor.
Marine helicopter performs maneuvers at airport.
Marine helicopter performs maneuvers at airport.
Fit for a beach winter walk in solitude.
Fit for a beach winter walk in solitude.
Vanderhoop Homestead overlooks south shore down Moshup Trail.
Vanderhoop Homestead overlooks south shore down Moshup Trail.
Summer crowds will soon return to visit Gay Head Light.
Summer crowds will soon return to visit Gay Head Light.
Red-tailed hawk soars over Katama.
Red-tailed hawk soars over Katama.
March dock in Menemsha.
March dock in Menemsha.
Standing in support of Ukraine at Five Corners Saturday.
Standing in support of Ukraine at Five Corners Saturday.
Kate and Sally Taylor show their solidarity.
Kate and Sally Taylor show their solidarity.
End of day at Martha's Vineyard airport.
End of day at Martha's Vineyard airport.
The Vineyard's most peaceful week of the year is drawing to an end. It's the turning point of winter as spring appears on the horizon. All but the most stubborn snow has retreated into puddles, then disappeared.
But ah the quiet villages, the deserted country lanes and byways. Crows caw their urgent messages, robins dart about, and mourning doves bob along the ground in their stately way, dressed in formal gray. The schools were closed this week, and many an Island parent has taken the family to northern ski slopes, southern sun, or simply a mainland vacation.
Those of us who remain enjoy our reduced numbers, note the closed cafes and coffeehouses, and take a walk on the winter beach by ourselves. Now March is here. Times will be busy again soon enough, soon enough indeed.