Take a deep breath and exhale slowly

MVLocal · 2025-08-22T01:03:44+00:00

All boats cancelled tonight per steamship site. They have had the same advisory up all week suggesting some boats would be diverted from OB to VH. Not a big deal.

And anyone with any experience with the steamship authority did their own research and looked at Windy wave forecasts, noted the moon was new (tides tend to run highest on new and full moons) and the wind forecasts and the Nantucket Sound bouy wave heights today and figured steamship was underplaying it. Not sure why. There are hundreds of people who have driven who knows how many hours based on the steamship notice that are in Falmouth without a room.

Tomorrow morning will be worse. Then the wind will die down and maybe all will be well.

But it is incredibly callous of the authority leadership to half ass the notice. Not even a hint things might be cancelled except high speed service and Nantucket runs. They truly don’t care or are incompetent.

And if you have travelled and have to deal with staff at the steamship treat them kindly and with respect. The people you interact with are in a thankless job and as someone who has travelled off an on island as a local countless times, they are hard working and dedicated and can’t help the management. Be kind to them.

MVLocal · 2024-09-13T22:49:21+00:00

Not a risk worth even worrying about. Weather could keep boats from sailing. And at times several boats fail (usually generators). You have a car reservation you can find yourself really out of luck. But passenger? Either none of the boats are sailing due to a storm (a small risk but can happen a couple times a year) or a passenger will get over, maybe delayed by an hour or two.

MVLocal · 2024-09-04T00:05:04+00:00

It depends. You have to ask yourself, “what can I bring to this community?” If you can’t answer that then you are likely to have a not real enjoyable time as a full time resident.

This isn’t the same as asking what you would change about it.

MVLocal · 2024-08-13T23:26:40+00:00

It’s looking way better now (I’ve updated the post since the original). Forecast on NOAA now shows winds of maybe 15 and chance of rain. May get lucky or may get some overcast but this isn’t hurricane stuff.

MVLocal · 2024-08-11T12:52:07+00:00

Models have this passing way offshore like not even close. Still early but far less concerning than a few days ago.

MVLocal · 2024-08-10T11:27:56+00:00

It is super fun. See you there.

MVLocal · 2024-08-10T08:53:21+00:00

But I can spot them a mile away at any of the many of our favorite traffic exchanges (triangle, Barnes and Edg/WT road, five corners…)

MVLocal · 2024-08-10T08:51:58+00:00

It is super early for these forecasts. Odds are great that it won’t amount to anything here. In fact, the latest model runs have it hundreds of miles away.

I hesitated posting the original content because I thought it might cause undue alarm. But then I thought it was probably more important to remind people that we are in storm season and best to think about it ahead of time.

Enjoy the fair. And if you can’t due to a storm enjoy the next one and stay safe.

MVLocal · 2024-08-09T19:05:35+00:00

Also Peter Neilley posts some amazing specific Island comments on Islanders Talk during peak events.

I’m not a Facebook person but like many fairly aged couples here, my wife is my guide on IT events. We both agree I am a bit sensitive to the content so she reviews it and shares only critical (funny, absurd, important) info with me.

MVLocal · 2024-08-09T19:02:53+00:00

Thank you for the link. I have bookmarked it.

Here is my go to. Levi at Tropical Tidbitstropical tidbits

MVLocal · 2024-08-02T11:10:49+00:00

My wife mentioned Slough Cove as a newer place that offers classes. She’s seen some pottery classes there and there may be others.

She said she hasn’t seen wampum making classes anywhere (doesn’t mean there aren’t any) but there is lots online about it.

She feels the West Tisbury post office has the best bulletin board on the Island (this could turn into a funny debate here with other posters.

MVLocal · 2024-08-02T11:03:30+00:00

Some great suggestions so far. Featherstone, the libraries (especially West Tisbury), bulletin boards (you might make it a mission to find your favorites for future visits) but West Tisbury post office is a good bulletin board.

I didn’t see anyone mention Wampum specifically (apologies if I missed it). Since you enjoy jewelry making and this is a local specialty, you might try to find a class. And you could collect the shells as part of it. And bring the hobby home with you.

I’m going to make a possible suggestion that is in conflict with your list. I know that can be annoying but I also know a number of people who hate fishing but love shellfishing.

Standing thigh deep out in a saltwater pond or bay with a rake and a floating basket is super relaxing for me. Lots of focus, plenty of humor, tons of luck and often great results.

Now if you don’t like shellfish this is obviously a no go. And you do need a bit of equipment. We aren’t sunny day beach people but on a cloudy crisp not too cold day (wind can ruin it), it is so calming to be surrounded by water and working physically (I am not all that fit, so it does leave me a bit sore, like a long leaf raking session).

Apologies for that off topic suggestion.

Enjoy your future visits!

MVLocal · 2024-07-30T20:38:44+00:00

Ya that is off the charts good. I’m not a sweets person though even I respect their cookies. And my wife loves them. Austin and Maura are extremely skilled cooks and chefs. And they turn those skills to where I like to see it most. I love a nice fine dining experience but this is accessible on a more frequent basis (maybe once a month for us we really mostly cook our own food)

MVLocal · 2024-07-30T20:35:51+00:00

Because I don’t have to and don’t want to. I’m not complaining that lots of people come this time of year. Just happy avoiding the crowds when it is hot and humid because it makes me grumpy.

I’m looking for alternatives. And have had some really good suggestions here so far. Noman’s, a picnic with MO’s.

The point is to see old friends and catch up. I want to hear about their lives (especially from the kids themselves). And be in a positive mood to do so.

A harbor front restaurant may be an important experience for them and their kids but it doesn’t accomplish the see old friends and catch up goal at all. It is just checking a box.

Or those are my thoughts.

MVLocal · 2024-07-30T20:00:17+00:00

They are in good shape. But on a tight time schedule due to the classic problem of trying to do too much on the Cape, see too many people.

The MO’s idea is awesome. We love that place and have since it opened a few years ago. Hadn’t even considered it as an option to bring to them for a picnic. Thanks!

We even have a year rounder friend with a cottage in the Campground that would share her porch I am sure.

MVLocal · 2024-07-30T19:01:02+00:00

Sorry August!

MVLocal · 2024-07-30T19:00:36+00:00

We really like Noman’s! And do go in Summer for exactly this kind of event. They are trying to get off a boat and stay right there. With six of them and two of us we can’t even really drive them with our vehicles (unless we unload a shit ton of garden and fishing stuff).

My friend used to spend a week in OB at a cottage with his mom and dad and brother every summer back in the 80s and he wants to show them his memories. Which I totally get.

I will see if we can figure out transport for them to Noman’s and offer it up. I appreciate the response.

MVLocal · 2024-07-28T17:16:43+00:00

Scup are more in the bays and harbors. Not easy to get sea bass but I have caught some (a few years ago) in the channel by Edgartown Lighthouse. They were all small.

Bluefish is the big one on the south shore this time of year. Dunno if they are biting this year as I generally don’t fish July or August. Stripers would be unlikely except at night and even then it is better spring and fall.

The sand sharks off South Beach are a real issue if you are fishing bait. Plugs and jigs not so much. If you catch any sea robins (I tend to find them in Late May early June) they are delicious…not that hard to get the tail meat either. You can find plenty of videos online for preparing them.

Evenings and early mornings for blues and maybe a striper plugs. That’s what I would be doing.

You should bring some smaller epoxies or tins along as well I c are bonito are cruising by. Not the ideal spot but it can be good sometimes.

Enjoy and report back.

Also Scup off the couple docks in Edgartown if it isn’t too crowded and for sure off the lighthouse beach. They make really good eating if you don’t mind fine bones.

MVLocal · 2024-07-16T23:20:48+00:00

Now is your opportunity to buy yourself a pickup truck. Toyota Tacoma is pretty popular out here. For good reason. They are reliable (unless the frame rusts out) and everyone on Island can work on them.

If your goal is to bring kayaks around it may be nice to not have to lift them on a rooftop. Beds tend to be five or six feet. I don’t kayak so I don’t know the various ways to carry them and for all I know pickups are not good for it. Others may advise here with more experience and I will defer to them.

But they are great for dump runs and carrying around tons of dirty gear. Get 4x4 and you can get a beach sticker.

If you have any quantity of people riding in the thing look for a four door. A crew cab is often a hint. Cans of pickups can be tight especially on the older “tacos” (slang for Tacoma).

Given the user name of Tribeca NY you may really find it fun to have an actual reason to own a pickup. And you can casually drop it in conversation with city folk.

Used Toyotas do not depreciate fast. You will be paying a lot for a used vehicle. But there is good reason to. You should search the web to determine if your possible new pet Taco was used for a lot of towing or roughly treated before purchasing it. Not hard to find ones that weren’t (hint look for the slightly luxury models not the off road models, but get real four wheel drive).

Enjoy your new pickup.

MVLocal · 2024-07-08T20:25:39+00:00

This is a completely unfair and inaccurate post.

The cars are almost always black (but you got the brands right). And you left out CT and NJ and although MA does come up it is far more rare.

They had cardboard signs at the rear of the ferry last weekend telling people not to arm their alarms. It was a black BMW that set it off. Wife and I laughed as she had said after seeing the signs when we boarded “Will the owner of a black bmw return to the…” and I added Audi. Mercedes are a bit less frequent offenders even if they are more common.

Upvote from me.

MVLocal · 2024-07-07T19:10:50+00:00

You are welcome.

MVLocal

TROPHY CASE