Island Light: Solstice
Twinkling lights illuminate the iconic Black Dog Tavern.
Twinkling lights illuminate the iconic Black Dog Tavern.
Watercraft hang from the rafters in the outdoor dining room.
Watercraft hang from the rafters in the outdoor dining room.
Trap tree is highlight of Edgartown's Main street this season.
Trap tree is highlight of Edgartown's Main street this season.
Wreath adorns the Flying Horses door.
Wreath adorns the Flying Horses door.
Horse and carriage rides were offered by the Harborview Hotel.
Horse and carriage rides were offered by the Harborview Hotel.
Chilmark's rugged north shore is dotted with boulders.
Chilmark's rugged north shore is dotted with boulders.
Brickyard's chimney rises in blue December sky.
Brickyard's chimney rises in blue December sky.
Twisted tree trunks at Cedar Tree Neck.
Twisted tree trunks at Cedar Tree Neck.
Bulkhead on East Chop has withstood many seasons and storms.
Bulkhead on East Chop has withstood many seasons and storms.
Red adirondacks await another season.
Red adirondacks await another season.
Edgartown Lighthouse is walkers destination.
Edgartown Lighthouse is walkers destination.
Shenandoah at anchor in Vineyard Haven harbor.
Shenandoah at anchor in Vineyard Haven harbor.
Mermaid appears to relish the sun on a mild day.
Mermaid appears to relish the sun on a mild day.
Low tide at Menemsha.
Low tide at Menemsha.
Lobsterville Beach in Aquinnah.
Lobsterville Beach in Aquinnah.
Trail passes Marl Pond at Great Rock Bight.
Trail passes Marl Pond at Great Rock Bight.
North Water street lighted for the season.
North Water street lighted for the season.
Ferry departs at night.
Ferry departs at night.
Winter arrives at 10:59 a.m. Tuesday, marking that turning point in the calendar of winter solstice and the shortest day of the year.
The rural reaches of the Island are cloaked in deep quiet, and native holly and winterberry stand out in sharp relief against a background of gray bare-branched woodlands. In village centers from West Tisbury to Vineyard Haven, this is the best season for chance encounters on the street with old friends.
Christmas is at hand. It is always hard to name the best season on the Vineyard, but surely this is one of them.