Island Light: Gateway to Summer
Not quite unfurling, a fern still in its fiddlehead stage.
Not quite unfurling, a fern still in its fiddlehead stage.
Sunset at Great Rock Bight Preserve in Chilmark.
Sunset at Great Rock Bight Preserve in Chilmark.
Baskets of flowers hung close to the sun's rays at Mahoney's.
Baskets of flowers hung close to the sun's rays at Mahoney's.
Approaching Lambert's Cove Beach . . . you're almost there!
Approaching Lambert's Cove Beach . . . you're almost there!
Wandering the North Shore in search of stripers.
Wandering the North Shore in search of stripers.
Snow fencing illuminated by the sun at Lambert's Cove.
Snow fencing illuminated by the sun at Lambert's Cove.
Ruddy turnstone wanders the edge of Sengekontacket.
Ruddy turnstone wanders the edge of Sengekontacket.
Willet takes a breather in the salt marsh.
Willet takes a breather in the salt marsh.
Shredding it at the Skate Park.
Shredding it at the Skate Park.
And some ripping for good measure at the Skate Park.
And some ripping for good measure at the Skate Park.
Edgartown's Whaling Church framed by May foliage.
Edgartown's Whaling Church framed by May foliage.
Wind blows across Vineyard Haven harbor.
Wind blows across Vineyard Haven harbor.
Memorial Day brings that moment in the Vineyard year which is defined, more than any other, by its contradictions. This weekend stands each year as the gateway into busy summer with all its festivities. But even as it offers a sweet foretaste of the season to come, Memorial Day invites us to look back and to remember, even to grieve, for those who sacrificed any chance to savor the sweetness of another May.