Thursday, September 12
I lock up the Best Little Trailer and drive out of Falls View Campground. The crew and I are going on a ferry ride! The sky is clear and temperatures are predicted in the low 80s. This should be a perfect day for the ferry!
The plan is to take the Bremerton ferry to Seattle.
Originally I thought we’d ride the ferry from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island. However, I decided against that because reservations are required and it’s a busy terminal.
We pass through Quilcene on Highway 101 and head northward. Then Highway 104 takes out southwest where we drive the floating bridge that goes over Hood Canal.
“This is going to be a great adventure!”
I glance at the crew. Spike stands on the bench seat looking out the side window. Bridget has taken a liking to the passenger seat lately. I reach over and stroke her cheek. “Your first ferry ride, Bridge!”
I turn right onto Highway 3 and head south.
By the time we reach Poulsbo fog has moved in!
Well, it will probably burn off. It’s only mid-morning. We have plenty of time.
Many Scandinavian immigrants settled in Poulsbo, especially Norwegians. This heritage is reflected in its architecture, shops and murals.
I park the PTV in a public parking lot. Then I take the crew on a quick walk-around so they can do their business.
I leave them in the PTV and set out on foot. It’s going to be a physically demanding day, especially for Spike, so I want them to conserve their energy, maybe take a snooze.
I stroll by coffee shops, bakeries, tea shops, art galleries, clothing stores (expensive!) and salons.
I walk the street that goes down to the waterfront park. Houses hug the shoreline of Liberty Bay.
A lady about my age comes by, carrying a container of coffee.
“Excuse me. Are you local?” I ask.
“Well, sort of. I grew up here and now I’m back for a few days.”
“Do you think this fog is going to lift or is it an all-day thing?”
She tells me it will be mostly gone in an hour or so. I explain my intention of riding the Bremerton ferry.
“Why don’t you take the Kingston-Edmonds ferry? You’re practically there already and it’s a lot easier. Both terminals are smaller and it’s a nice ride, about 20 minutes both ways. It’s my favorite. Back in my college days I rode it all the time.”
At the PTV, I open up the laptop, turn on the air card, and read about the Kingston ferry. That’s what we’ll do. We’ll park the PTV and just walk on. That’ll be more fun!
Route 104 brings us into Kingston.
It funnels us right down to the waterfront and before I know it we’re approaching the ferry booth. Wait a minute! I don’t want to take the PTV on the ferry! I tell this to the lady in the booth and she explains how I can circle around and find a public parking lot. Whew!
Public parking is $3 for up to 12 hours.
I let the crew out of the PTV. We’re all very excited! The ferry horn blows, adding to our sense of adventure. I insert three singles at the self-pay kiosk, and we proceed to walk the block and a half to the terminal.
Several vehicles are lined up in preparation to boarding.
I’m glad we’re walk-on passengers.
A long ramp leads up to the ferry. Bridget and Spike walk ahead of me, side-by-side, sensing where we’re supposed to go.
“Isn’t this exciting, guys? You’re big-time travelers now!”
Next post . . . We ride the ferry and Spike soaks in Puget Sound!
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