Ridiculously important logistical stuff no one tells you about when you are on vacation here

This is the stuff that makes life livable on the island, come summer or winter, temporarily or permanently.
Rain or shine.
With or without family.
Renting or not.


Don't let anyone tell you differently: the best apple fritters on the PLANET, hands down, can be had each and every evening at Back Door Donuts in Oak Bluffs, after 7:30 pm. This is the stuff stoners dream of lol. One of the Farrelly Brothers even went to bat (yes it's that Farrelly brothers team - think Something About Mary) at a town meeting when it was proposed that Back Door be closed due to noise and traffic. They didn't, and we are so glad. It's located in the parking lot behind the OB Post Office, off Circuit Ave. Open till 12:30 am, just in time for last call.

Back Door Donuts by Susan Safford/MvTimes

Do not do anything at 4:58 pm on this island on any given day, except open a can of beer or pour a glass of wine or make reservations.

To visit a grocery store on the island between the hours of 9am and 8pm in summer is to take your life into your own hands. In fact, it is a known fact that to do so gives one brain damage so severe it provokes the victims to stand in the middle of the aisle en mass, without moving, trying to create a shopping list.

A lesson from my good friend and wise person Sue from Dighton - it is oftentimes more worthwhile to get lobster all ready done than to struggle in the kitchen boiling lobsters, grilling corn and drawing butter... And make sure there are no vegetarians within sight of the dismembering of said lobsters.

Last mail of the day goes out at 3, don't check the box or general deliv. before 2, and taking candy in for PO workers assures summer people of getting mail in the correct box at least 85% of the time.

They do in fact enforce the time limits on every main drag of every town. The chalk stick Nazi don't cotton to getting in the car, moving the tires to make it look like you weren't there the last time they looked.

The food is superb at the Art Cliff Diner in Vineyard Haven, but be prepared to wait. And wait. It is so well worth it, though; even if you have to park down at the parking lot by Net Result Fish Market.

Do not travel near, on or around main thoroughfares in Vineyard Haven or Oak Bluffs when the Ferry Boat is due in. That is crazy-making time.

IMO, the best place and the best way to get breakfast sandwiches is to call in a take-away order at the Dock St. Coffee Shop at the foot of the harbor in Edgartown. Order it with sausage/egg/cheese on English muffin. Sublime, with the right amount of grill infusion. 508-627-5232.

The very best time to get a parking spot at Trustees of the Reservation beach Long Point, in West Tisbury, is before 10ish am or after 2ish pm. It is the best of both worlds - body surfing main beach, a pond nearby for quiet water swimming. It's my slice of heaven, away from my home.

thetrustees.org

Have a good one. :)