Vacation 6: Martha's Vineyard, and Aquinnah!

You may recall that ever since a cas show last spring, my antique car had carburetor issues.  Getting them repaired was a major task, since most of today’s mechanics are trained on fuel injection systems and computer controls.  Being a 1967, mine has neither, and to complicate matters, it also has an intact prehistoric California smog control system . Fuel-injection and computer emission training is useless on old-fashioned antiques.  

And trying to make a 1,200-mile trip in a freshly-repaired car, without some significant shakedown runs, would be a "real fool's errand."  Thus I decided to take the daily driver on this trip, and extend our agenda exponentially.  What started out to be a simple antique car tour for my better half and myself, with a bunch of friends, ended up being an epic vacation.  We were gone for so long (two full weeks) that it was easy to lose track of time!

--------------------------------------------------------

Today dawned sunny, but with a rainy forecast

On the docket for today was a quick morning return visit to the Nobska lighthouse, then off to the boat for a ferry ride to Martha’s Vineyard.  We elected to take the car over with us. because we had too many sights on our to-do list, to rely on walking or taking their public transportation.  When we checked the car in at the dock, the attendant used no pronouns when we talked.

Martha’s Vineyard was discovered in 1602 by Bartholomew Gosnold, a British fisherman.  He named it after his firstborn daughter and the thick vegetation, which resembled a vineyard.  The island is roughly triangular-shaped, with its base the straight south shore, and northern points facing Cape Cod.  It’s 9 miles wide and 26 miles long, and the total area is about 96 square miles, with 124 miles of shoreline spread over six small towns,   About a third of the land mass is protected from future development.

At departure time, It was quite cool and windy, and I chose to ride on the front observation deck of the Island Home,  My better half elected to stay inside, not wanting to be chilly.  Since I was determined to have a picture taken outside, I shamelessly asked a guy who was standing there next to me if he’d mind taking my picture..  “I’d be happy to, Ma’am.”  

Mandy on the Island Home

The above was his creation.  He did well.  Funny thing was…it all happened in full view of the better half.  I simply said to her afterward that it was nice of him to take the pic, and she said that if he was willing to stand out there in the wind and cold, then it was fine that I asked him – she chose not to deal with it.

There were no further public interactions until we arrived at the Gay Head Light in Aquinnah.  (Yes, Gay Head Light really is its name!)  During our tour, the guide referred to us as ladies.  “Where are you ladies from?”  The rest of our conversation was of the same nature.  

This beautiful and historic lighthouse is in danger of falling into the sea within the next decade or so, because the clay cliffs it is built on are eroding at about 6 feet per year.  If the process is not begun within the next year or two at the most, there will not be enough solid ground to bear the weight of the machinery needed to move it, and it will be doomed.   Plans are to take it out of service at the end of 2014 and proceed with the move, but they are still short of funds to finish it, so the fundraising continues.

 Gay Head Light, Martha's Vineyard Island, Massachusetts, USA

The light itself in operation...notice the red reflections on the window sashes?

The colorful, but rapidly eroding clay cliffs, which will doom the lighthouse if it is not soon moved...

When we inquired about restrooms, the tour guide at the lighthouse said “Ladies, the restroom over there in the park is open, but there is a small charge."   So, I suggested to the better half that we both use the women’s room, since there was nobody else nearby at that moment.  She looked over at the little building standing alone in the big field, and said “ everyone thinks we’re two girls, so why not.” 

It definitely was a first – entering a public women’s washroom with the better half.  Though in hindsight, I wonder if she might have seen it as a safety thing for herself…due to the isolated location, anyone “could” have been in there waiting for a woman to enter.   There wasn’t, however.  And for me, it was quite an experience! 

While waiting in the women’s room for her to finish, I could see through the slightly-ajar window, that three really grubby-dirty-looking, bearded, twenty-something males walked by - and went into the men’s room next door.  Now, I'll never know for sure - they may have been perfectly honorable.  But it's also within the realm of possibility that my own safety that day had been guaranteed, by virtue of my being in the ladies' room. Life certainly has strange turns of events!

The famous Oak Bluffs Cottages - so many colors!

In walking around the cottages in Oak Bluffs (picture above), we came across a gaggle of 50-something ladies in a commercial bus tour group.  As I was waiting for the better half to check some of the cottages,  I asked one of the ladies where the group was from (Alabama).  And that led to a few minutes discussion, in which we related as women.  There was no evidence that they thought I was other than what I seemed to be.

And in other interpersonal relations that day, I was addressed as female.  All in the presence of my better half.  With no comment from her, either way….   On the way home, I was addressed as “Miss” when checking the car on the ferry boat, capping my finest feminine day of the trip so far, if not the year!

But wait, there's more....

Vacation 5: Chatham Railroad, ROVs and Alvin!

You may recall that ever since a cas show last spring, my antique car had carburetor issues.  Getting them repaired was a major task, since most of today’s mechanics are trained on fuel injection systems and computer controls.  Being a 1967, mine has neither, and to complicate matters, it also has an intact prehistoric California smog control system . Fuel-injection and computer emission training is useless on old-fashioned antiques.  

And trying to make a 1,200-mile trip in a freshly-repaired car, without some significant shakedown runs, would be a "real fool's errand."  Thus I decided to take the daily driver on this trip, and extend our agenda exponentially.  What started out to be a simple antique car tour for my better half and myself, with a bunch of friends, ended up being an epic vacation.  We were gone for so long (two full weeks) that it was easy to lose track of time.

On a day which dawned sunny and chilly, the better half and I elected to start by visiting the Chatham Lighthouse, to get a morning view.  That is what you see here. 

From there we drove around town and came upon a striking example of Victorian-era architecture (also called Railroad Gothic), the railroad depot.  It was the stepping off – and on – point for riders of the old Chatham Railroad, which served the town on a seven-mile strip of railway from 1887-1937. Today the depot houses the Chatham Railroad Museum, including relics from the era, a 75-year-old caboose from the New York Central system, and a diorama of the Chatham train yards of 1915.   Being a ferroequinologist at heart, I couldn’t resist getting a picture beside their pretty caboose.

From there, the weather started a downhill turn, as the clouds moved in.  The closer we got to Falmouth, MA the cloudier it got.  Not to be deterred, we went on into Woods Hole, to locate the ferry embarcation point for tomorrow’s adventures, and explore a place new to us.

A centerpiece of the town and dock area is the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory's Office of Marine Operations (OMO)m which currently operates the research vessel Marcus G. Langseth that serves as the national seismic research facility for the United States academic research community. The R/V Marcus G. Langseth's unique seismic capability allows it to provide both 2D and 3D maps of the earth's structure miles below the seafloor. Utilizing the vessel's other capabilities, expeditions have collected sediment cores for understanding climate variations throughout the Earth’s history, sampled seawater for determining physical and chemical properties of the oceans, and deployed remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for studying submarine volcanoes. Scientists and researchers from all over the world are encouraged to participate in research programs aboard the Langseth.

Another centerpiece of Woods Hole is the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, which is famous for its Human Occupied Vehicle named “Alvin.”  WHOI operates the U.S. Navy-owned Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin for the national oceanographic community. Built in 1964 as one of the world’s first deep-ocean submersibles, Alvin has made more than 4,400 dives. It can reach nearly 63 percent of the global ocean floor.

The sub's most famous exploits include locating a lost hydrogen bomb in the Mediterranean Sea in 1966, exploring the first known hydrothermal vent sites in the 1970s, and surveying the wreck of RMS Titanic in 1986. 

A mock-up of the cabin is shown below:  

Also we visited Nobska Light (seen below), which was nearby, and then ended the day with a delicious seafood dinner. 

The Great Annual Antique Sale

Last fall, you may recall that just before I left for my annual pilgrimmage to the antique sale, unbenownst to me, my better half repacked my suitcase.  She replaced the spare pair of denim leggings I had packed (matching the pair I was wearing) with several nicely labeled plastic bags, each containing one of Mom's stirrup outfits - which no longer fit her, but fit me perfectly.  (The better half had "rescued" them and added to my wardrobe when Mom's house was being sold.) Since I have a tendency to spill things, this little change made it almost impossible to avoid ending up in stirrup leggings and ballerinas during my days at the show. 

I really got lucky, and was able to avoid it - though barely.  Even though I loved wearing Mom's outfits to the nursing home and for everyday use, back then "something" was keeping me from wearing them to the sale - I would have been extremely self-conscious in front of all those people who have seen me for a long time...

This year, after all the better half's medical issues and her recent display of angst, she did nothing about "repacking my suitcase."  So, I decided to take matters into my own hands, and prepared my own "encore."  The only spare outfits I included were Mom's stirrups and tops, and I wore my trusty ballerinas.  Well, "only" isn't exactly true; I also brought my skirts and tops along, as well as my high heeled Mary Janes - my evening (and only spare) shoes.  

I left the house Friday morning in Mom's gray stirrup leggings and burgundy polo top with my ballerinas, and I'll be wearing a different pair of her gray stirrups and a navy blue top when I get home Sunday night. I think the past year in almost total androgynous mode has helped me conquer most of my "being self-conscious at the show" demons, and not having any pants other than my stirrup leggings made "backpedaling" impossible.  So, in for a penny, in for a pound.  

Friday was completely comment-free.  Well, comment-free, except for the attractive female desk clerk at the Crowne Plaza, who had commented "I love your gorgeous nails, hon" when I checked in.   But nothing about my pants (at least at that point.)   So, on the way back to the room after going out to a local eatery for dinner (an uneventful meal, without pronoun use by the server, but many glances from a couple of late-teen girls out with their dates and seated way across the room,)  I stopped by the front desk, wearing my tan tiered skirt with blue floral blouse, and MJ heels.  The desk clerk smiled broadly when she recognized me and we chatted a few minutes, since she wasn't busy.  Topics included my skirt outfit and nails...  "You look so very pretty in that outfit - you know you really should have been wearing it all day today, instead of pants."  I thanked her and said I'd have preferred that, too.  "But pants really were more appropriate for unloading boxes from a car."

She then confided that I have a beautiful head start on a set of long, sexy fingernails, so I shouldn't let the tech cut them.  When I told her my tech feels that same way, and is "growing my nails out" by not trimming them with each fill, she was very pleased. "You'll look and feel so elegant with inch-long nails.  Be sure to ask her to start using red acrylic - it's the ideal color for you.  And once it's on, it stays on through normal wear and tear.  That'll keep your mani perfect from fill to fill!" Then she explained that she has short, unpolished nails now that she has two kids and no time or money for nail care...but someday "my nails will be as pretty as yours!"

I asked her if she would mind taking my picture in the lobby, and she was quite enthusiastic about it...in fact, she took several.  And if she's working Saturday night, she volunteered to take another picture if I wish...   Ahem, yes - if she's there,  I definitely will "wish."  

Saturday, my second day at the sale in stirrups and ballerinas, was another uneventful day,  though a couple of men who didn't know me addressed me as "Ma'am."  And, a male staffer who was introducing a bunch of us to new people in attendance, introduced me (intentionally, I suspect) as a female, to a group of ladies. He didn't stumble over it - he said it, then kept right on with his talk.   Subsequently during the day, several of the visiting ladies with questions, came up to me and asked me (instead of men standing nearby).  I was happy to help them, and it kept me in a female state of mind....   Overall, women just seemed a bit friendlier today, with me now looking more feminine.

I cheerfully admit to "watching the clock" till it was time to go back to the hotel.  Unfortunately, plans for a meetup with a girl who blogs here just did not work out, and a  last-minute dinner meetup with my acquaintance from work fell apart today due to a just-hospitalized parent, so it was going to be another "dinner alone."  I made the best of it, and even found a park near the restaurant to get a picture of tonight's outfit.

The greeter and the waitstaff at Applebees addressed me properly as a female, and I got great service from everyone (which merited a bigger than normal tip.)  Unfortunately, the friendly hotel desk clerk I spoke with the night before was off duty, so I didn't get one of her "photo sessions."  So, back to my room after dinner, where I snapped a quickie pic of my outfit without a sweater....sorry it's not a bit sharper.  But you 'get the picture...'

My Mary Janes are undoubtedly the most comfortable heels I've worn.  It's like they were made just for me...there are no unsightly gaps.  With the comfortable strap, there's no chance whatsoever that I'll accidentally step out of them. And the heels are wide enough that they're very stable...I haven't twisted my ankles!  Yes, my feet still complain a bit when I wear them...but I think it's because they're not used to being in heels.  I'm really looking forward to the day when I can just put them on in the morning (instead of my ballerinas) and go about my business all day, and all evening too, without having to change them! 

Up early on Daylight Saving Time Ending Sunday - the last day.  No skirts today at all...will be androgynous all day.  I'll be heading directly home when the gig is over.

It was an uneventful day...no issues whatsoever.   And, I had an absolutely fabulous time!  (More vacation posts will follow shortly...)

Vacation 4: Provincetown!

You may recall that ever since a cas show last spring, my antique car had carburetor issues.  Getting them repaired was a major task, since most of today’s mechanics are trained on fuel injection systems and computer controls.  Being a 1967, mine has neither, and to complicate matters, it also has an intact prehistoric California smog control system . Fuel-injection and computer emission training is useless on old-fashioned antiques.  

And trying to make a 1,200-mile trip in a freshly-repaired car, without some significant shakedown runs, would be a "real fool's errand."  Thus I decided to take the daily driver on this trip, and extend our agenda exponentially.  What started out to be a simple antique car tour for my better half and myself, with a bunch of friends, ended up being an epic vacation.  We were gone for so long (two full weeks) that it was easy to lose track of time!

The better half and I began our Cape Cod exploration day on Monday the 21st.  It began with a run up the cape to Provincetown, which is the wonderful little place where US Route 6, and the land, both end.  Near the end, sand dunes became the predominent landscape, as might be expected.

P-town itself is full of  fascinating little shops just brimming wtth eclectic things to see, buy and do, as well as little restaurants and inns up and down the streets.  I hope to return someday soon...and be wearing a skirt instead of leggings!

This is the last pic of me that I could convince the better half to take.  From here on, all the selfies are with the help of someone else, or my very convenient lightweight portable hand grip/tripod.  Not fancy, very old (was my father's), but very functional, and it has served as a conversation starter many times.

Then an afternoon downstreet view...

And lastly, a typical sunset over Cape Cod Bay...

P-town was so relaxed and picturesque, that I think spending a couple of days there (during the spring or fall) might be fun...and a great way to become more used to presenting as a female and gaining more confidence in my femininity.  Though I still doubt that attending Fantasia Fair is in the picture, at least for the next year or two...

More sections (and more pictures) will follow in the days to come.

A Halloween Quickie

Friday morning I depart for my annual antique show.  Thus, the rest of the afternoon today is going to be spent packing up the sale items and loading the car, so I can leave first thing in the morning.

This morning I visited my mother at the nursing home.  I had actually forgotten that it was Halloween, since we don't get trick-or-treaters at our place and thus don't need to stock up on candy.  There were tons of people around, many in costume.  Including a couple of staff girls dressed as men.  I was invited to come back for the Halloween party at 2.  My first comment was that I don't have a costume.  One of the girls said "we have two girls dressed as guys, why don't you dress as a girl?"  "That sounds great, but due to my schedule - darn it anyway - my afternoon is already spoken for.  Can I take a raincheck for next year?"  "Sure, honey...and if you need to, we have a place where you can change."  My response was..."that's a deal!"

When I got home and discussed it with the better half, it met with a completely negative response...as I figured it might.  (I could go into details, but I won't bore you - you've heard it all before, from others.)   So, next year I might actually have to be a "bag lady" for the day, take my things in a plastic bag, and change there.  It's entirely do-able.

But, I looked at a 2014 calendar.  The problem will be that I have to give up a Friday of sales to make it happen.  Fortunately, Friday typically has been my weakest of the three sale days.  So next year, I may just load the car Friday morning, do the party Friday afternoon, and get up at zero dark 30 Saturday (for me about 4:30 AM) to drive to the sale.   Not incurring one night's motel expenses could help offset some of the lost sales.  I'll know more about business conditions after this show.

But the better half's major resistance indicates for now, "Mandy in a dress" will have to appear only when away from home...  Even though it's a disappointing situation,  it's not unexpected.  Major resistance has waxed and waned many times over the past couple of decades, and probably will again in the future.  Our recent vacation has taught me that with proper makeup (and my clothes, hair, nails and purse) I can often be accepted as a girl, even in my androgynous form.  (More vacation posts coming soon.)

So, Mandy really is perpetually present.,..and skirts or dresses can be added whenever the time is right.   Press on, MacDuff...or is it "Ms. MacDuff?"

Cheers,

Mandy

Vacation #2: Ships and Cottages

You may recall that ever since a car show last spring, my antique car had carburetor issues.  Getting them repaired was a major task, since most of today’s mechanics are trained on fuel injection systems and computer controls.  Being a 1967, mine has neither, and to complicate matters, it also has an intact prehistoric California smog control system . Fuel-injection and computer emission training is useless on old-fashioned antiques.  

And trying to make a 1,200-mile trip in a freshly-repaired car, without some significant shakedown runs, would be a "real fool's errand."  Thus I decided to take the daily driver on this trip, and extend our agenda exponentially.  What started out to be a simple antique car tour for my better half and myself, with a bunch of friends, ended up being an epic vacation.  We were gone for so long (two full weeks) that it was easy to lose track of time!

Today found us looking at preserved American naval ships at Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA, a maritime museum and war memorial that traces its origins to the wartime crew of the World War II battleship USS Massachusetts. This dedicated veterans group was responsible for the donation of the decommissioned vessel from the Navy and its subsequent public display in Fall River. 

Battleship Cove harbors the largest collection of preserved US Navy ships in the world. The fleet includes five National Historic Landmarks: Battleship USS Massachusetts, Destroyer USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., Submarine USS Lionfish, and PT Boats 617 and 796. Individually, each ship represents different moments in history and technical achievements; collectively, these vessels symbolize American sacrifices made in defense of our freedom.

 Mandy on the deck of the USS Massachusetts

 Big 16 inch guns on the Massachusetts.  Can't you just imagine the noise they made!

Remember, these opulent little "cottages" were not full-time residences!

In the afternoon, the bunch of us were off to see some of Newport, Rhode Island’s greatest examples of conspicuous consumption from the Gilded Age of the “robber barons”: the Breakers (a 70 room “cottage", built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II in 1895), and the Marble House (a 50 room “cottage,” built by William K Vanderbilt in 1892.)   Cornelius II was the grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt of New York Central Railroad fame, and William K was his younger brother.

By the way, did anyone realize that Rhode Island is the smallest state, with the longest name?  Hint; before counting the letters in states like Mississippi, North Carolina and Massachusetts, look up the official state name for Rhode island:  it’s “Rhode Island and Providence Plantations” – this evolved years ago, from the merger of two local settlements.  It's the way the state is listed on official documents like the Elevator licenses, too.   Just be glad you don’t need to write that out with each letter you post to Rhode Island! 

More sections (and more pictures) will follow in the days to come.

Vacation #3 - Seaports and Submarines

 

You may recall that ever since a car show last spring, my antique car had carburetor issues.  Getting them repaired was a major task, since most of today’s mechanics are trained on fuel injection systems and computer controls.  Being a 1967, mine has neither, and to complicate matters, it also has an intact prehistoric California smog control system . Fuel-injection and computer emission training is useless on old-fashioned antiques.  

And trying to make a 1,200-mile trip in a freshly-repaired car, without some significant shakedown runs, would be a "real fool's errand."  Thus I decided to take the daily driver on this trip, and extend our agenda exponentially.  What started out to be a simple antique car tour for my better half and myself, with a bunch of friends, ended up being an epic vacation.  We were gone for so long (two full weeks) that it was easy to lose track of time!

The above will introduce each  following section, as a prelude, for those who may not have read prior vacation entries.

Today the group started by visiting Mystic Seaport, in Mystic, Connecticut – a living history museum established in 1929 as the "Marine Historical Association". Its first fame came with the acquisition in 1941 of the Charles W. Morgan, the only surviving wooden sailing whaler. The seaport was one of the first living history museums in the United States, with a collection of buildings and craftsmen to show how work was done.

No “sir” comments,  as the only pants remaining in my suitcase were my feminine stirrup leggings, and I added my womens' Keds to help keep my ballerinas from getting damaged by the gravel. What I was wearing caused no issues for anyone.   Folks in our group addressed me by first name and, as happened at last year’s tour, took my appearance in stride.  No comments were made, it was just business as usual.

Mystic Seaport, preparing for Halloween

 

Mandy at Mystic Seaport

 

Water certainly was calm, and the sky was rich blue!

Water certainly was calm, and the sky was rich blue!

After a lunch break, we drove to Groton, Connecticut to tour the Submarne Force Museum, and among the displays is the actual submarine Nautilus, America’s first nuclear powered submrine.  It’s a great place to visit p simply fascinating....   

Submarine Force Library and Museum, Groton, CT.

Submarine Force Library and Museum, Groton, CT.

Seeing the interior evoked reaction from just about everyone that “I’m sure glad the USA built it, but I’m happy that I didn’t have to live in such cramped quarters..”

More sections (and more pictures) will follow in the days to come.