Aquinnah and 25

  Rather than reinvent the wheel, I’m stealing words from Wikipedia below… I hope you don’t mind.  Our favorite beach on the Vineyard is Moshup Beach, just below the Gay Head cliffs, now known as ” Aquinnah”… a town located on the most rural location of the island. We love it for it’s rugged natural beauty.  Because of all the rocks, I don’t recommend it for swimming.. but bring your beach chair, suit for dipping and a good book and you’ll find peace in abundance.  There is a hike from the parking lot way down to the beach itself, but it’s a pretty walk at that… and you can drop off the day’s supplies right near the beach before you park in the lot.

“The population of Aquinnah was 311 at the 2010 U.S. census. It is known for its beautiful clay cliffs and quiet natural serenity, things which have become less common in the heavily populated Northeastern United States. Below the clay cliffs is Jungle Beach, named for the lack of clothing worn. It’s one of the few nude beaches left in the U.S. More recently, it has become celebrated as a center of Wampanoag culture and a center of pride and tradition among members of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, who make up about one-third of the town’s voters. This area is one of the earliest sites of whaling, done from shore by the Wampanoags, long before the 19th century industry of whaling became the major maritime industry of Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and New Bedford, Massachusetts.”

  The nude beach, to be clear, is all the way down at the end of the cliffside beach.  We don’t go there, but if you’re so inclined, go for it!..  We stay at the other end where suits are the norm.  Unless I suddenly wake up in a supermodels body, you won’t catch me bare-assed on the beach, ever.  Pardon the french.

The directional signs on the island roads, some very rural.. look like this. 
No trip up island is complete without a stop
at Alleys General Store in West Tisbury…where you will find everything and anything
piled high, floor to ceiling. Kids of all ages absolutely love this place
and if you’re headed to the beach, you’ll find all that you need right here.
Heck, I’m pretty sure if you’re headed to Europe you’d find the necessities.
So let’s head on down to the beach…you won’t believe the beauty that awaits…

I wasn’t kidding – 

The beach below the cliffs is called Moshup’s Beach, named after a giant sachem who used to lead the tribe in days of old, of whom many myths are told. The ocean is a rare aqua color here with waves heights that are above average for the area.
Are you feeling the love yet?
This island is magical if you get away from the crowds.
Did I tell you this is our 25th Anniversary year?
It was nice to get away alone together to reflect on our relationship
and bring it back to just the two of us for a few days, no work hassles, 
no bills or phone calls or interruptions of any kind.
We got along wonderfully and relaxed like we hardly ever do. 
(although my calves are still aching from all the hiking.)
Have we had 25 perfect years?  Hell no. 
We are two of the most stubborn italians you’d ever come to know, 
and we’ve had our share of rocks along the shore. Some were big ones.
But we have managed to wade through the waters together
and have found a rythym, an ebb and flow that work.
Honeymoon – 1988
Still crazy after all these years…