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| Source: Wikimedia Commons |
After Aquinnah, Menemsha is my favorite place on Martha's Vineyard. It's a working fishing village in the town of Chilmark and is located at the intersection of Menemsha Pond and Vineyard Sound.
Menemsha is known for its spectacular views of the sunset. In the summer, hundreds gather every night on the beach and watch the sun slowly descend into the water. My grandparents loved Menemsha, and my family always made sure to go watch the sunset at least once each year when we were on the island. One of my main memories of those summer evenings is a saxophonist who came to the beach each night to play Taps after the sun finally disappeared into the sea.
When I was a kid, I loved the jetties which line the beach and the channel that separates Menemsha from Lobsterville. Now that my dad is gone, I cherish this photo of him holding my hand while I was making what was probably my first trip out on the jetties in July of 1972.
These rocks hold so many memories for me that I featured them in The Ghosts of Aquinnah in what proved to be a pivotal scene for the book's main characters Christopher and Stella. It was fun to imagine my characters in the place I love, especially as the Vineyard has a timeless factor to it. Menemsha doesn't change much, and doesn't look that different now than it did back in the 1970s. It wasn't a stretch to think that it probably didn't look much different in the 1880s either.
My A-Z of Martha's Vineyard theme is inspired by my book, The Ghosts of Aquinnah, which is set on the island. Click here for all the info on the book.
That's a really special memory of your father.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie - lovely photo of you with your father and those memories .. the fishing village looks quite delightful .. I really want to visit Martha's vineyard!
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
Such a nice photo! And I love the image/idea of the saxophonist playing on the beach against the setting of the sun.
ReplyDeleteMadeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Minion, Capt. Alex's Ninja Minion Army
The 2014 Blogging from A-Z Challenge
@Alex, thanks.
ReplyDelete@Hilary, I hope you make it someday! :)
@Madeline, it was really cool.
A wonderful photo to remind you of your father and your special place. And I'm glad you shared that this place was in your novel. It helps round out the images in my head.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful sunset. So many fond memories and the picture with you dad is perfect. he holds your hand-so protective
ReplyDeleteThis is a good way to highlight Ghosts. It makes it seem real.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous sunset and wonderful picture of you and your dad. It's classic vintage, as opposed to the faux filters we have on our phones today.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad this was M today! What a beautiful picture of you and your father - and I love the memory of the saxophonist playing taps! I would love to see that. This beach is special to me, too :)
ReplyDeleteHow magical--the sax player at dark. Things like that take us to a whole new realm of awesome.
ReplyDeleteTrue Heroes from A to Z
Love those old memory photos, Julie. I've always liked those jetties. We have them here in Vancouver as well.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much history in the area of your story setting. I'm liking your series!
I love that first picture, no wonder it is your favorite place. It would be mine too.
ReplyDelete@TB, oh, I'm so glad, thanks!
ReplyDelete@Birgit, he really needed to, as I don't think my mom was happy about him taking me out there LOL.
@Huntress, thanks!
@Loni, that's a good point. I love old photos.
@Liz, it was really awesome. And it seemed like he was there every single summer.
@Crystal, definitely. :)
@DG, thanks! And I've loved delving into the history of the island more.
@Inger, it's like no place else I've ever been, that's for sure. :)
You had me at the mention of the saxophonist... definitely my kind of vibe...I'm sold!
ReplyDeleteSounds like such a romantic place -sunset- how I love thee...
ReplyDeleteVisiting from A-z
Decadent Kane (blog)
@Michelle, it was really awesome. :)
ReplyDelete@Kane, I agree!
I'd love to watch the sunset on Menemsha. The picture of you and your dad is great. I love looking at old pictures like that. :) I can see why you used those rocks in your book. They are beautiful, magical, and even a little dangerous.
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteNothing beats a New England fishing village for quaintness. However, as I look closer at the sunset picture, is that a shark fin sticking out? Or the ghost of one?
Love the sunset photo and the pic of you and your dad. Such priceless memories! I bet you can still smell the beach in your memories:) Love that smell.
ReplyDeleteI've GOT to take a trip there someday! You're really bringing the area alive for me. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an idyllic place! Menemsha is more special to you because of those childhood memories. I bet the saxophone sunset symphony was magical. For a few years I lived in a duplex on a giant hill overlooking the Bay of Naples in Italy. My favorite place was my patio roof, which I decorated with porch furniture. I loved watching the sun sink into the sea.
ReplyDeleteJulie, love the picture of you and your father. Menemsha has such a musical sound to it.
ReplyDelete@Chrys, that's a perfect description of them.
ReplyDelete@Inge, LOL, I saw that too and got a start, then realized it's a bouy that is always out in the water there.
@Jennifer, one of the best smells ever. :) Thanks!
@River, I'm so glad! I hope you make it sometime.
@Kim, oh wow, that must have been beautiful. I'd love to go to Italy someday.
@Rachna, thank you!
You and your father on the jetty is a precious memory! It is a memory caught in the image.
ReplyDeleteAll your sites in your area are places of history and beauty.
I can see why you hold such happy memories. That picture with your dad was touching and you were so cute Julie. Loving the sunset, perfect summer with free music.
ReplyDelete<3 the photos...but especially the old ones that speak volumes and hold so many memories. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJamie Dement (LadyJai)
My A to Z
Caring for My Veteran
What a sunset! I can never have enough of those and sunrises. Lovely picture of you and your father together on the jetties.
ReplyDelete@Susan, I agree, it is caught in the image. Thanks!
ReplyDelete@Sheena-kay, aww, thank you!
@Lady Jai, thank you for coming by and commenting!
@Lee, I feel the same way, there is something so magical about both.
That's a wonderful picture of you and your father. Love the sunset pic too!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable picture of you and your dad!
ReplyDeleteThat photo is precious!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this tour of Martha's Vineyard - have never been there.
@km, thanks!
ReplyDelete@Cherie, I think so, thank you. :)
@Nicki, I'm glad you like it, thanks!
I feel the wanderlust rising in me when I read these posts :)
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(From Sarah, With Joy)
Where did they get these names from?
ReplyDeleteThat first pic reminds me a lot of the Cape - especially Chatham where I used to live.
ReplyDeleteI spent many summers with relatives in the Hamptons. One of my fav memories is walking on the jetties. Scary but fun. I'm so glad you have fond memories of that and your dad. :)
ReplyDeleteOnly visited twice but bike riding is great!
ReplyDeleteThe picture of your father and you was wonderful...to be cherished. I enjoyed your blog.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos and memories. We have a jetty near I am, but I haven't walked all across it yet.
ReplyDelete@Sarah, writing them makes me feel the same way. :)
ReplyDelete@Nana, I think they are all Wampanoag names, they are the native tribe on the island.
@Marcy, I've been to some of the Cape towns but now Chatham.
@Lexa, yeah, it is kind of scary but still awesome.
@Bonnie, true!
@Helen, thank you!
@Medeia, if you do I hope you enjoy it.
For such a small part of the world, the Vineyard really has a lot to offer, doesn't it? Love these photos and the richness of your memories.
ReplyDelete@Trisha, it does! Thanks so much.
ReplyDelete