Island Light: Columbus Day
Alec Furman finds some quiet time on Chilmark's Squibnocket Beach.
Alec Furman finds some quiet time on Chilmark's Squibnocket Beach.
Goal of the day: catch those waves.
Goal of the day: catch those waves.
High waves brought surfers out to Chilmark beaches.
High waves brought surfers out to Chilmark beaches.
Message in the bottle? Head to the beach this weekend.
Message in the bottle? Head to the beach this weekend.
Freight boat Governor shows her lines coming into Vineyard Haven.
Freight boat Governor shows her lines coming into Vineyard Haven.
Gnarly tree trunk rises in Christiantown.
Gnarly tree trunk rises in Christiantown.
Pair of lesser yellowlegs have a good wade in Menesha Pond.
Pair of lesser yellowlegs have a good wade in Menesha Pond.
Lavender dusk settles over fishing port village of Menemsha.
Lavender dusk settles over fishing port village of Menemsha.
Blue inside of a Tisbury dinghy adds some color to an overcast day.
Blue inside of a Tisbury dinghy adds some color to an overcast day.
The Vineyard is at her best in October around Columbus Day and always the holiday brings the return of Island friends. For the first time since Labor Day the pace of Island life slows enough to leave time to explore those qualities that set the Vineyard apart from most other communities – a windswept beach, the russet colors of meadows and salt marshes, the quiet walking trails in autumn woodlands and the ancient stonewalls that still mark the old boundaries of another Island and a different age.