by Diane Alter
Just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Edgartown Harbor lies Chappaquiddick. To islanders, “Chappy,” as it is affectionately called, is known the island next door. Weather permitting, ferries make frequent daily 527-foot runs between Chappaquiddick and Edgartown.
Looking out from the Edgartown Harbor, the first question that comes to mind is why isn’t there a bridge connecting these two islands. The answer, according to locals, it that the two are very different neighbors that like the short, but distinct, distance between them.
Chappy is smaller, quitter and less developed than the Vineyard. That is indeed part of its charm. Visitors to charming MV should spend a day exploring Chappaquiddick.
The Mytoi Japanese Garden is a must-see. Located on Dike Road, a three mile bike ride from the Chappy ferry, Mytoi is an intimate Japanese style garden revered for its natural serenity.
The Garden spans some 14 peaceful acres of walking trails and myriad stone and flower gardens. The highpoint is Poucha Pond, where guests can pause and meditate on a small island accessed via a footbridge.
A multitude of wildlife adds to the Garden’s lure. Sea turtles, frogs and osprey are abundant. Yet these creatures on nature never break the spell of tranquility.
After some contemplation, head down the only main raid on Chappaquiddick, which becomes a dirt road after four miles. At the end, about a mile later, is Wasque Point. Here, currents and tides constantly change the shore’s sandy fringe. The sand bars at Norton Point have at times connected Chappaquiddick to MV.
