Travel Tips

Camera Gear
You'll be doing a lot of walking, so, bring only as much photo gear as you think you'll use. Wide angle, telephoto and normal lenses will all get a lot of use, or you can bring one or two zoom lenses instead. When shooting at the beach, be sure to protect your gear in plastic bags, and avoid salt spray and blowing sand.

When taking photographs near the seashore it is extremely important to protect your expensive camera equipment from salt spray and blowing sand.

Camping
Contact Martha's Vineyard Family Campground: 508/693-3772, www.campmv.com. This site features spacious wooded locations, a camp store, laundry facilities, recreation room, playground and bicycle rentals. It accommodates tents or RVs, and offers cabins, tent or trailer rentals.

Where To Stay
Martha's Vineyard offers a variety of hotels, guest houses and bed & breakfast inns. There's also a family campground in Vineyard Haven. I've listed just a few options here. For more lodging information call Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce at 800/505-4815.

Thorncroft Inn
800/332-1236, www.thorncroft.com.
The Thorncroft is a luxurious bed & breakfast inn located in a tranquil setting in Vineyard Haven. It offers fireplaces, antique furniture, and several rooms have hot tubs. There's also a private cottage.

Beach Plum Inn and Restaurant
508/645-9454, www.beachpluminn.com.
This romantic hideaway offers panoramic views of Menemsha Harbor, along with a beautiful setting and top notch cuisine.

Colonial Inn
508/627-4711 or 800/627-4701, www.colonialinnmvy.com.
This historic inn has operated continuously in Edgartown since 1911. You can view Edgartown Harbor from a deck off the fourth floor, and the hotel also offers a day spa, fitness room, and meeting facilities.

More Online
Websites for more information:

www.mvy.com
Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.

www.mvol.com
Directory of accommodations, shops, services, restaurants, summer camps and more.

www.marthas-vineyard.com
Details on lodging, dining, attractions, and weather.

Other August Events
If you like photographing colorful events and festivals, here are a few suggestions for the month of August in other parts of the country:

July 29-August 6
Montana State Fair, Great Falls, Montana
406/727-8900
www.ci.great-falls.mt.us/ or www.montanastatefair.com
Horse racing, food, petting zoo, and entertainment.

August 5-7
Telluride Jazz Celebration, Telluride, Colorado
970/728-7009 www.telluridejazz.com
Great jazz artists perform around town during the day and at different clubs by night.

August 6-7
Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival, Watsonville, California
831/768-3266, www.mbsf.com
Strawberry carnival, arts and crafts, music on two stages, and a soccer tournament.

August 19-23
U.S. Indie Band & Film Expo, Beaumont, Texas
917/514-6097 (travel), www.usindie.com
You'll find over 500 bands, filmmakers and artists from around the nation.