The First Wave

Well, Memorial Day Weekend has come and gone here on Martha’s Vineyard. The season has begun with the unofficial start to summer. The island was packed, awash with people like a storm surge, flooding the streets and sidewalks. Then, as with any wave that rolls onto a beach, the crowds receded with the departing flights and ferries of the ending holiday.

Personally, I took note of the returning seasonal residents, opening their homes and reacquainting themselves with the island since their last visit. Some were people in my neighborhood, yelling into their cell phones, trying to find reception, as their landlines had not been returned to service. Others were clients, calling late in the afternoon on the holiday, wondering if I was working that very day. Surprises were waiting for many of the returning hoards, as there have been a number of changes that might disrupt their idyllic holiday retreats.

Aside from the restaurant and business changes throughout the island towns, nature seemed quite happy to play the fickle filly. Fog, clouds and brilliant sunshine traded places on the main stage, but the set had a constant backdrop that few could appreciate: pollen. Outdoor activities were not limited just by the clouds in the sky, but also what pollen count those brave souls venturing outside could tolerate.

I usually go unaffected with the pollen that leaves a tell-tale yellow-green coating over everything exposed to the elements. This year must have been quite exceptional, as I felt less than fabulous while out in the yard. The morning runs went without incident, but the temperature and prevailing winds must have been in my favor. More comments from people active later in the day seemed to join the consensus that the pollen was an issue.

Still, there were plenty of people riding bikes around town. (Kudos to Tisbury’s Sgt. Stobie for pausing on his motorcycle in order to stop a pair of helmet-less cyclists and urge them to dismount instead of riding against traffic on Main Street.) The cyclists and walkers made their presence felt all the same, waving and smiling for the most part. Others were sneezing and suffering through the pollen-filled weekend.

Eventually, the air cleared, though it will take a steady rain to wash the pollen’s grip from all that has been touched. It was late in the day Monday that the air seemed less humid as well. By Tuesday morning, the sun was shining brightly and the air was clear and cool, a fitting reward for all the people remaining on the island past the opening salvo of tourists. Enjoy the next couple of weeks on the Vineyard, as they are the last few vestiges of sanity before the season arrives in earnest.