In My Footsteps: A Traveler’s Guide to Martha’s Vineyard Review - Compact, Beautiful, Informative

In My Footsteps, A Traveler’s Guide to Martha’s Vineyard, from author Christopher Sutterland and Schiffer Publishing, presents a comprehensive guide to one of the most iconic and affluent summer island destinations on the Eastern Seaboard.

Martha’s Vineyard, an island located on the Atlantic shore south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, has long been, almost traditionally, known as the summer destination for the wealthy elite from New York City and Boston.

Most notably, the island attracts the east coast intelligentsia. Distinguished Academics, such as professor Henry Lewis Gates, from Harvard, MIT, Columbia and other private well-heeled universities and colleges.

Politicians, The Kennedy Family for decades had a compound, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis collected property on the island and while she was alive both her children, John Kennedy, Jr and Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg were often seen about sailing or walking the shore. 

President Bill Clinton and his family summered on the Vineyard during his presidency as did President Obama and his family.

Long time islanders, singer-songwriter James Taylor and former wife Carly Simon each lived on The Vineyard as did Meg Ryan, Spike Lee, Mia Farrow, Lady Gaga, Jake Gyllenhaal, Seth Meyers and Jim Carrey. Taylor Swift, it is rumored, also purchased a home.

In My Footsteps, at 126 pages details the “island,” as it is known to locals, dedicating chapters to each of the seven towns: Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury, Chilmark, Aquinnah, Edgartown and Chappaquiddick Island.

Martha’s Vineyard, also the location for the 1975 Steven Spielberg film, JAWS, is only accessible by Ferry or plane. Daily flights, during high season, run out of Boston and New York City airports, JFK and LaGuardia and New Jersey’s Liberty International, are available.

Sutterland’s Guide begins in Oak Bluffs. Detailing several modes of transportation, he continues as any good travel guide with points of interest: Ocean Park, Dr. Harrison Tucker Cottage, Pequot Hotel and Flying Horse Carousel. He includes Café’s, Brewery’s and Donut shops. Trinity Park Tabernacle, neon gingerbread cottages, available for rent, East Chop Beach and Lighthouse.

He repeats this same method of travel through Vineyard Haven highlighting Lagoon Pond & Drawbridge, Art Cliff Diner, Mansion House Inn on Martha’s Vineyard, Owen Park Beach, West Chop Club Overlook and many other destinations points within Vineyard Haven.

His walking tour of Chimark begins at the grave of John Belushi at Abel Hill Cemetery. The Inner Harbor and area beaches are showcased in this section.

Aquinnah, on the west end of the Island, once the home to Jacqueline Kennedy, begins with a stop at Orange Peel Bakery. After which Sutterland slows for a breathtaking beauty of Aquinnah Cliffs and Gay Head Lighthouse.

The tour of Edgartown begins at Manuel F. Correllus State Forest and moves to the beaches of Katama and Norton Point.

Heading over to the Chappy Ferry, Sutterland takes his tour group to Chappaquiddick Island. The island is most famous for, although not mentioned, the car crash of then young senator Ted Kennedy which killed his companion, Mary Jo Kopechne.

Our tour begins at The Links, Royal and Ancient Chappaquiddick Links and moving through Cape Podge Wildlife Refuge and North Neck Island Preserve.  He also highlights the 200 acres of pristine sandy beach and trials in Wasque.

He ends his general island introduction at Blow Your Bugle corner. In My Footsteps, doesn’t end here as Sutterland returns to landmarks, monuments and scenery that keep islanders coming back for decades. He offers More Edgertown, More West Tisbury, More Chilmark and More Oak Bluffs.  

Each page includes eye popping crisp color image and descriptions of the area and what to expect. His expertise puts the first time islander at ease with a very clear directions adding GPS coordinates and distance from the last entry if following the guide book as a walking tour.

In My Footsteps, A Traveler’s Guide to Martha’s Vineyard, is available through most online bookstore retailers for the MDRP of 16.99. It can be purchased through Schiffer publishing or at most major bookstores.

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