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The Aquinnah cliffs are known for their natural beauty. Formerly known as Gay Head, the town of Aquinnah was one of the first whaling sites settled by English colonists in 1669 and first inhabited by the Wampanoag, a Native American people related to the larger Algonquin Nation of Southern New England.
The brightly-colored clay cliffs, carved out by glaciers millions of years ago, have been photographed and painted for hundreds of years by people and artists all over the world. The cliffs are ecologically protected, so pay attention to signs. You can take a hike on the upper trails to the top of the cliffs to catch a glimpse of Gay Head Light and nearby Elizabeth Islands. You can also enjoy the gorgeous beach below—in the buff if you'd like. Moshup Beach is one of the few nude beaches left in the US. However, clothing is optional, so you can visit, as I did, and not see a single person enjoying the soft white sand and turquoise waters without a suit. (I was told that the beach is no longer considered an official nude beach, but nudists still visit.)
The spectacular view I had was at the top of another rise near the shops. I think you'd agree that the colors and light are simply breathtaking. Imagine actually seeing it in person.
Have you been? If not, you need to add Aquinnah to your list of places to visit.
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Photo: Aquinnah, MA
During our day on Martha's Vineyard, my niece drove us around to parts of the island that would take too long to travel by bike. One of those places was a visit to The Grey Barn farm. Although the ocean is the focal point of island life, Martha's Vineyard has a rich agricultural history. And since I'm always on the lookout for certified organic foods, I was especially pleased to know that if we ever land on MV, we'll be okay.
This beautiful farm raises heritage pigs that forage in the oak woods, humanely raised chickens, grass-fed cattle, and dairy cows used to make their delicious artisanal cheeses and raw milk. You can purchase beef, pork, milk, cheese, and eggs right at their Chilmark location (not too far from Edgartown) and also from the West Tisbury Farmers' Market from mid-June on.
Of course, there are trade-offs when you decide to eat organic foods. Cost is definitely an issue. I used to buy the best meats I could at the grocery store so I don't pay too much more a pound. My Thanksgiving turkey is certainly a lot more money, and there are no 'buy a chicken, get a chicken for half off' deals, but because I've cut other foods out of our diet (junk, processed), I'm still spending the same amount per week for groceries. I'm fortunate to have an organic grocery store right here in Peterborough. The Green Grocer offers almost everything I need.
When we're down on the Cape, it's another matter. Some local shops are now carrying some of the products we use, but it's been difficult finding everything we need. Luckily, Whole Foods opened in Hyannis this summer which is only 30 minutes from where we stay. Since it was my first experience shopping there, I talked extensively to the meat department manager about their rating scale. Although Whole Foods is a chain store, they do carry local products and both the Hyannis and the new Nashua store (opening August 19th and coming to Portsmouth and Bedford—New Hampshire's first three locations) are committed to bringing even more local suppliers on board.
Why pay $6.50 a dozen for organic eggs? *You get 5 times more vitamin D, 2/3 more vitamin A, 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids, 3 times more vitamin E, and 7 times more beta carotene than regular store bought eggs. *The Grey Barn
Photos: Chilmark, MA
Every time I go to the Cape, I can't help but check out the architecture and browse through the home décor stores. Once a decorator, always a decorator. So I thought I'd share a few photos of some decorating ideas that caught my eye. The first is a staircase that leads you to the second floor of Edgartown Books on Martha's Vineyard. We hadn't been there in years so we decided a day trip was in order so we boarded the ferry with our bikes and explored the island some more. I'm sure you've seen many stair riser murals before, but I loved the mix of colors, fonts, and overall design of this particular one.
The stairs are made of pumpkin pine flooring and feature a beautiful dark-stained curved banister that contrasts nicely with the light pine. The dark grey walls (try Benjamin Moore 2124-30 Deep Silver)were covered in graphic food prints that invited you to explore every nook and cranny. Once you've grabbed your book and a cup of coffee, you can enjoy it on the oversized branch-fenced porch. (Be inspired by these vegetable prints from Etsy artisans.)
In this home décor shop, the merchandise was teeming with coastal charm. As you can plainly see, shells, rough-hewn and distressed woods, and wicker and rattan led the way...and the colors of the ocean are always in style. In one shop, I found the exact rope-wrapped candle holders that I scored at Target for a third of the price. (Sorry, I think I found the last two in existence. You can find something similar here.)
While we were in Chatham, we strolled through Jack Wills. I was more interested in the décor than I was the clothes, though they were nice too. Again more books lining the stairs, this time for real. The wall art is very English—more is more. Although I do like my home a bit more tidy, I can't help but favor this look.
Photos: Edgartown and Chatham, MA
