The Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts’s reputation probably proceeds it. Most people in the United State have heard of it and if you live on the East Coast you may have visited. This island off the coast of Massachusetts is extremely picturesque and home to famous politicians, software engineers and entertainers alike.
The Hike
While the town has a large community of cute coastal houses and fishing harbors, the island is also home to fantastic hikes. Cedar Tree Neck Tree Sanctuary has a little known hiking trail on the north west part of the island. The hike takes you through a forest and down to a gorgeous beach. Swimming is prohibited on this beach which keeps foot traffic low and the hike fairly isolated, even in the busy summer season.
The hike begins in a lush green forest filled with tall deciduous trees. From this point you cant see the ocean but even this area is lovely. If the sun is out, the leaves overhead fill the forest floor with beautiful shades of green light.
Eventually, theres a break in the trees and the ocean and small lake become visible. Even if you weren't excited to go to the beach when you began the hike, there's a skip in your step after seeing this.
Finally, you get to the sand. The woods fall behind you and you begin your walk over the sand dunes, past the lake and up to the ocean.
If you look to your right, you can look past the tall grass, across the lake, and see the homes of some of the island's more wealthy residents.
After not too long, you reach the ocean. You can walk along the shore for about a mile in either direction.
Out in ocean you can see cormorants perched on some rocks.
There are even some rocks on the dunes that look like faces, which is pretty cool.
If you walk up to the north, on top of some dunes there are some spectacular views and friendly goats. The goats are "employed" to eat poison ivy on trails.
This is one of the prettiest hikes I've had the pleasure of doing and I definitely recommend it to anyone who can make there way to the island. It is also free, which is very nice since the price of almost everything on island is raised due to tourism and since it must be imported from the mainland.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the pictures!
If you have any questions about the hike or the island please ask!