Island Light: Moment to Pause
Catching the autumn light in the fishing village of Menemsha.
Catching the autumn light in the fishing village of Menemsha.
Afternoon sail in the Vineyard Haven outer harbor.
Afternoon sail in the Vineyard Haven outer harbor.
Crew work aboard the Shenandoah.
Crew work aboard the Shenandoah.
'Tis the season.
'Tis the season.
Sunflowers become bird seed as they whither in October.
Sunflowers become bird seed as they whither in October.
Sheep mingle in Katama.
Sheep mingle in Katama.
Former church on Lambert's Cove Road rises white against blue skies.
Former church on Lambert's Cove Road rises white against blue skies.
Goldenrod blooms along the clay cliffs at Lucy Vincent Beach.
Goldenrod blooms along the clay cliffs at Lucy Vincent Beach.
Mild temperatures this week bring out the bare feet and dog walks.
Mild temperatures this week bring out the bare feet and dog walks.
Fishermen wait at Owen Park for favorable conditions.
Fishermen wait at Owen Park for favorable conditions.
October sun glints off the Grange Hall.
October sun glints off the Grange Hall.
Back up to the walking trail at Ice House Pond.
Back up to the walking trail at Ice House Pond.
Military chopper lands at the airport.
Military chopper lands at the airport.
Raising the house for off-season work at Ocean Park.
Raising the house for off-season work at Ocean Park.
Capt. John Potter relaxes in the sun aboard the Skipper.
Capt. John Potter relaxes in the sun aboard the Skipper.
Sky full of masts in Vineyard Haven harbor.
Sky full of masts in Vineyard Haven harbor.
Dinghies pulled ashore on the beach at Owen Park.
Dinghies pulled ashore on the beach at Owen Park.
Johnny Hoy leads the Bluefish at First Friday in Vineyard Haven.
Johnny Hoy leads the Bluefish at First Friday in Vineyard Haven.
Delanie Pickering on guitar.
Delanie Pickering on guitar.
Follow the light.
Follow the light.
Airport gas station lit like an Edward Hopper painting.
Airport gas station lit like an Edward Hopper painting.
The Vineyard is at her best in October and this weekend brings the return of Island friends and seasonal residents. 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.
Indigenous Peoples weekend is festive, as befits a moment in the year when we first feel the sharp tang of autumn and realize that we can no longer take for granted this season's balmy weather. Each day is a more sharply appreciated gift.
It's always good advice to seize the day. Here, in the sweet center of October, is a moment to be outdoors drinking in the Island's beauty, a moment to pause and breathe deeply here on the far shore of Vineyard summer.