We hired a car for the day with the intention of going to Monroe State Fair on Sunday. But with warnings of huge delays and traffic jams we changed our minds and took the ferry to Vashon Island – a place which was on our ‘to visit before we leave’ list. It was the first time we had driven a car onto a ferry over here in Washington State and it was an easy exercise. The cheerful attendant directing us into the right lane to board the ferry said ‘so you’re off to Tahiti today?’ Vashon Island is not quite like Tahiti but pretty close to it – it’s magic!
Vashon Island is 37 square miles with a population of just over 10,000. It’s easy to drive around and has a definite ‘you’re on holiday’ feel to it making it hard to believe that Seattle is just a 20-minute boat ride and only 3.5 miles away! However, if you are on foot then be warned it’s a long walk to the township from the ferry terminal – as No.2 son and his Gorgeous Girlfriend found when they visited a few months ago. Luckily for them they were offered a ride by a very friendly Vashon Islander who not only took them to the famous Point Robinson Lighthouse but collected them later and delivered them back to the Ferry Terminal.
Point Robinson Lighthouse is on a stretch of beach perfect for wandering along, or finding a piece of driftwood to sit on and ponder ……. so enjoyed by these apartment living Kiwis!! It was unbelievably good to get out of the city and enjoy a rural, friendly, laidback and slightly overgrown piece of Washington State. I can’t tell you how nice the just mown grass smelt – heaven!
Lunch we stopped for at Zombiez – one of those interesting, vibrant, and eclectic sort of cafes with delicious burgers. Also worth a mention is the Supermarket – one of the best I’ve been in in Washington State! HG was very impressed with the beer department – said it stocked a much bigger collection than our local Safeway so it must have been pretty good!
A friend of ours and of so many people from our home town in New Zealand died tragically early this year. Eric was born here and spent his early years growing up on Vashon Island ………. we feel very lucky to have spent a day in his old neck of the woods.
Red Alders 
Thanks Sharron for sharing your day on Vashon Island. I’m so pleased that Eric and I went there last year so that I know where he spent the first years of his life. It is indeed a lovely serene part of the world as you have seen yourselves.
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So glad we made it there xox
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