 |
| Photo by Melanie Speight |
Vineyard Haven is one of the primary harbors on Martha's Vineyard in addition to being one of its six towns. It was originally called Holmes Hole, as "hole" was maritime slang for a nick, or harbor, in the coastline. The name was changed to Vineyard Haven in 1871, reportedly due to the fact that many of its inhabitants did not like to say they were from a "hole" when traveling off island.
The ferry which runs to the island often arrives in and departs from Vineyard Haven, so it is usually the first and last thing I see of the Vineyard when visiting there. The town is home to the famous Black Dog tavern and general store, which can be easily spotted from the deck of ferry.
 |
| Photo by Melanie Speight |
Because it is a very long drive back to Ohio, we always get the earliest possible ferry to leave the island when heading home. A few years ago my niece took these photos while the sun was coming up over the harbor as we waited for our boat. To me they perfectly capture the peaceful beauty that is Vineyard Haven and are a reminder of why I always hate to get on the ferry to leave the island.
 |
| Photos by Melanie Speight |
Happy weekend, all!
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.
She got some nice shots. I wouldn't want to say I was from Hole either.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! I sometimes wonder why we don't live where we vacation, if that's where we're often happiest….
ReplyDeleteYou may have answered a query I had about how a place hand been named Kents Cavern had once been Kents Hole but no-one knew how the name had originated. It is close to a nick in the coastline in Dorset in the UK. Now we need to know who Kent was.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures you have here and of cause I sptted the dog on the building.
I love these pics! I can see why you would hate leaving the island. And yea...vineyard Haven is much nicer name than "hole." lol
ReplyDeleteOf course there's a place called Vineyard Haven in Martha's Vineyard. ;)
ReplyDeleteYour niece took excellent photos. I would love the first one framed on my wall. :)
Gorgeous pictures! I love places likd that. Maybe my family should go on a vacation this year :)
ReplyDeleteHave to agree Vineyard Haven sounds better than Holme's Hole. :P
ReplyDeleteWow, what beautiful photos too. I may stowaway in your suitcase when you go up there next time.
How pretty! I have to say, living in Nashville, I haven't been on many ferries in my life. I think the Staten Island Ferry is the only one I can remember... Actually, there was another one that took us from a hotel in Jersey to NYC while we visited once. Ferries are huge in the Northeast, but not so big in Tennessee! We do have a lot of lakes...we just either build bridges or make people drive 40 miles to get around the water.
ReplyDeleteLooks gorgeous,can see why you love it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love those pictures your niece took. So beautiful. We never get a ferry that early - Boston is a lot closer than Ohio - but I have seen the sunset from the boat :)
ReplyDeleteAll I could do was sigh looking at your pictures today! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. I wouldn't want to leave such a tranquil place either. :)
ReplyDelete@Alex, yeah I couldn't blame them for changing the name.
ReplyDelete@Madeline, good point! I would love to live on the Vineyard but the real estate is way out of my price range now LOL.
@Bob, I didn't know about the meaning of hole either before I did this post, I bet that is the origin of Kent's Hole. Interesting!
@SK, LOL, it must have been a easy choice to make.
@Chrys, I would too, that pic is my favorite.
@T, if you do I think you'd love it!
@LG, I'm going in May so you are welcome. Clancy is going too and I'm sure he wouldn't mind. :D
@Stephanie, we have a ferry here that goes across the Ohio River but it is nothing at all like the ferries in the Northeast. Honestly it hardly even seems like a boat LOL.
@Suzanne, it really is.
@Liz, aren't they great? I always love my niece's photos. :)
@Lee, I sighed putting the post together!
ReplyDelete@Tyrean, I'm always sad to leave.
After all that great scenery, it must be hard going back to Ohio.
ReplyDeleteNice photos.
This where I must have come to and from the island when we visited. Absolutely beautiful photos of the sunrise. Home is always home isn't it? I can understand why they wanted the name changed though:)
ReplyDeleteJulie, those photos are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteMary Montague Sikes
Great pictures, Julie (but we have come to expect those from you). Looks so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics - I especially loved the last one that shows a double masted "old ship." Awesome!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, Julie. It's fun to read about the history of towns and cities. Have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteHey Julie,
ReplyDeleteLovely photos and I think I'd like to take that ferry ride. Haven't ridden a fairy, sorry, ferry, in ages :)
Have a peaceful weekend, my good friend.
Gary
Gorgeous photos! Have a wonderful weekend. :)
ReplyDelete@Ken, it is!
ReplyDelete@Birgit, it most likely was, it's the harbor that is the most used.
@Mary, glad you like them!
@Inge, oh, thanks! But I have to give all the credit to my niece LOL.
@Lexa, I love that too, the ship is so cool.
@Deanie, thank you, I hope you have a great weekend too.
@Gary, I think you would like it. :) Thanks so much and I hope you have a great weekend as well.
@Christine, thanks, same to you. :)
Such a beautiful place. I really hope I can get there some day. Your niece took a gorgeous early morning pic.
ReplyDeleteYou know, you're really making Martha's Vineyard into one of my Bucket List destinations.
ReplyDeleteFantastic photos! Place names can be funny aren't they?
ReplyDeleteAmazing pictures Julie. I wish I could visit such places :(
ReplyDelete@Cathy, I hope you make it.
ReplyDelete@Misha, oh, that's awesome!
@Annalisa, yeah, the "hole" story cracked me up.
@Rachna, I'm so glad you liked them, thanks.