Welcome. Edgartown News was born from the simple fact that I have ink and Dektol in my veins and I need to write and photograph more than I need air or food, and from my love for this little town where I grew up and raised my family, the town I have left a few times but can't quite shake for good. Here you will find the wanderings and musings, photographs and commentary; the people, places, and happenings - past and present - of a small island town: my home town.
Kind of a murky, cool Sunday morning but in my continued attempt to shake off the winter cobwebs and get the blood flowing back up to the brain, while also, since Easter Sunday morning being in a lighthouse frame of mind, hiked the two-mile round trip quite easily. I like seeing people and the activities in town, so my route took me down Main Street and then left on North Water and back again. I like mist and fog for photography, and I also saw at least four people that I know (this will end in another month), so it was a productive walk in a few different ways.
(below) Happy birthday - today! - to Ned Southworth, here with Maggie.
It feels great to head out for my late afternoon ramble through town and down around the docks again, this winter seeming longer than usual for some reason. I never know what to expect when I head out with my little Lumix - sometimes the light is blah and nothing strikes my fancy, and sometimes I am pleasantly surprised and come home with a gem or two.
Yellow and Blue
The scalloper Becca, all trim and tidy.
I love this boat and I love these lines.
(below) My favorite. It reminds me of a pastel drawing.
A few lovely days in a row have brought out the local wharf denizens - but no Denny? So good to get out and about again and see a few real humans, along with being able to take in the sky and the water and the fresh air.
Scallop gear, packed up for the season.
Smitty and friends
(below) These scallop drags evoke a ton of memories, believe me; my roots, my heritage, my home.
It's been my tradition the past few years, whenever the weather is favorable, that is, to greet the rising sun on Easter morning down at Edgartown Lighthouse beach.
The forecast for today was favorable, so starting yesterday I began checking my photographer's ephemeris to ascertain the best location, and yesterday being also sunny and pleasant, I walked over to the lighthouse to scout out the best angle. I spent last night packing my gear and setting everything up so that when I got up at 5am all I had to do was grab a quick cup of coffee, throw on some clothes, and head out. My plan was to pack my bike cart into the back of my van and use it to wheel the cameras, lenses, tripods, and accessories down to the beach, as it's a good five-minute walk from North Water Street down to the lighthouse.
My planning paid off and I spent a delightful couple of hours down there, taking in the sunrise, the bird sounds, a gentle wind, and an occasional fellow sun-rise seeker. Last year I was completely alone, which really surprised me to tell you the truth because last year really was crystalline and perfect. This year there were maybe 8-10 other folks wandering around.
I was worried that it would be freezing cold, but it really wasn't bad.
Even with a favorable forecast you never know what you're going to get around here. From my house (a mile away) the sky looked crystal clear, but when I arrived at the lighthouse there was a layer of cloud on the horizon. I had my doubts but everything turned out great. I got there in time, I did not freeze, all of my equipment worked - no small feat - the clouds dissipated, and I got what I wanted.
It wasn't the same as last year - no two years are the same due in part to the fact that Easter is a moveable date, so the sun never rises in the same spot, and yes, Vineyard weather is very fickle.
Happy Easter!
