Holiday on Martha's Vineyard and Cape Ann

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

Greetings All,

I have just returned from holiday on Martha's Vineyard and Ipswich and Gloucester on Cape Ann. I was kilted a few days, and wore my bonnet on a few occasions. We stopped at the Nobska Lighthouse in Falmouth, Massachusetts (where we boarded the ferry to the Vineyard) My fiancee and I in front of the Lighthouse[IMG][/IMG] A view from the lighthouse of my mother and I walking[IMG][/IMG] After taking the 35 minute ferry to the Vineyard we went to see the famous "gingerbread" houses. With more than 300 cottages, it is a religious community that was founded in 1835. A few photos of myself very casually kilted in the village:[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG] More to come!

[cessna152towser]

Excellent pics, looks like a super trip.
Keep them coming.

[unixken]

Nice photos. I miss the island. My first Coast Guard duty station was the small-boat Search and Rescue station at Menemsha, on the west end of the island, back in '79-'80. Oak Bluffs (where the gingerbread houses are) is nice. Did you make it down to Edgartown as well?

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

Still on the island we are in front of the union chapel, built in 1870, they perform services to this day[IMG][/IMG] Here I am with my eyes closed standing next to my lass, the house behind us has very unique architecture and just out of frame is the sea[IMG][/IMG] By the sea on the island [IMG][/IMG] when we returned to the Mainland we drove up the coast to Ipswich on Cape Ann. Ipswich is famous for its clams, and the Clam Box of Ipswich is world famous, a wee place built in the shape of a clam box, it was established in 1935. A photo of the clam plate, with a "mini plate" in the background[IMG][/IMG] They were worth waiting in the line out the door! Still more to come!

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

My personal favorite was Castle Hill at Crane estates in Ipswich. The summer home of industrialist R. T. Crane, this 59 room stuart-style mansion replaced an Italian style villa. It was built from 1924-1928. The grounds featured a casino, the formal garden, and a rolling green out to the sea. My mother and I in front of the Great House[IMG][/IMG] a photo of myself in a playful pose [IMG][/IMG] a view of the rolling green, adorned with statues it leads one directly to the sea [IMG][/IMG] a view from the green of myself approaching the rear of the great house, the statues at the sides of the steps are griffins. They were place there by 3,600 former employees of Mr. Crane to protect his home[IMG][/IMG] another photo from the rear walking into one of the several gardens [IMG][/IMG] Just a few more to follow

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

After departing from Ipswich we drove up the coast to Gloucester, Massachusetts, also on Cape Ann. Gloucester is America's oldest Seaport, and the fisherman's memorial is located by the sea surrounded by plaques engraved with the name of every Gloucesterman lost at sea. The words "they that go down to the sea in ships" refers to Psalm 107:23 [IMG][/IMG] Here I am, Unfortunately not kilted watching the bridge being opened for a vessel to pass through [IMG][/IMG] Gloucester is also the home to a more unique tradition appropriately named the "greasy pole" where "champions" are selected to stand on this dock and run across the pole, which is coated with seaweed and grease and retrieve a flag at the end, humorous to behold it is. Here is the famed pole in inactivity [IMG][/IMG] and there you have it, my holiday was smashing, and I hope you enjoy the photos! Cheers! Nick Pratt

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

Excellent pics, looks like a super trip.
Keep them coming.

Indeed! I only wish I had taken more photos. cheers, Nick

[KiltedDixon]

Great Pics! I especially love the garden.

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

Nice photos. I miss the island. My first Coast Guard duty station was the small-boat Search and Rescue station at Menemsha, on the west end of the island, back in '79-'80. Oak Bluffs (where the gingerbread houses are) is nice. Did you make it down to Edgartown as well?

There is something different about the island, of that there is no doubt. I wanted to make it to the airfield, and the Vincent House Museum in Edgartown, but I stayed in Oak Bluffs this time around. We didn't bring a car on the ferry or I would have covered much more ground,I plan on visiting the island again shortly and will be bringing my car. cheers, Nick

[ProudGrandsonofClanGrant]

Great Pics! I especially love the garden.

I'm glad you enjoyed, here is another photo from inside the garden, of myself in front of some fantastic blue hydrangeas [IMG][/IMG]