Island Light: Summer Exodus
Summer's end, and the West Chop swimmer's raft is empty.
Summer's end, and the West Chop swimmer's raft is empty.
Bumper to bumper at the Nashaquitsa boat landing.
Bumper to bumper at the Nashaquitsa boat landing.
Trying to reach that elusive itch at Katama Farm.
Trying to reach that elusive itch at Katama Farm.
Wings in the sky over Katama.
Wings in the sky over Katama.
Swallows and boats at the shore of Menemsha Pond.
Swallows and boats at the shore of Menemsha Pond.
All is quiet at Owen Park, save for these two crows.
All is quiet at Owen Park, save for these two crows.
Ripple in still water.
Ripple in still water.
Kite boarders gather at Sengekontacket when wind rises.
Kite boarders gather at Sengekontacket when wind rises.
Masts fill the sky over Vineyard Haven harbor.
Masts fill the sky over Vineyard Haven harbor.
Friendly smile and good advice at Vineyard Haven's info kiosk.
Friendly smile and good advice at Vineyard Haven's info kiosk.
Sun sets on the end of another beautiful Island summer.
Sun sets on the end of another beautiful Island summer.
Labor Day weekend sneaked up this year and caught the Island unawares. There we were, blissfully ensconced in the heat, the rush and the clamor of summer, still savoring beach days and ice cream cone nights, when over the shoulder the silent marauder appeared and — poof — September arrived.
And so as Labor Day arrives and the traditional summer exodus begins, all roads lead to the Steamship Authority where the lines are long and the boats are sold out in one direction only: to the mainland.
And Islanders are smiling, because they love September.