One of our favorite family activities is to ride the Washington State Ferries. The ferry system spans Puget Sound and transports thousands of people every day to the many islands scattered throughout Puget Sound, the Olympic Peninsula, and the Kitsap Peninsula.
Yesterday, Janeal and I spent the afternoon visiting some friends on one of our favorite islands, Vashon. Vashon is a 20 minute ferry ride from the West Seattle Ferry dock, which is only 20 minutes from our home in Bellevue. ”The Island,” as we like to call it, is one of the great Northwest paradises.
The ferry ride is breathtaking. On a clear day, Mount Ranier will tower over Puget Sound as you look South. Here are some photos we snapped on the ferry -
Janeal and I at the stern of the Vashon ferry. One of the Vashon ferries headed to West Seattle.
While we were at Vashon, we met a family that grows Dahlias for some of the Seattle area flower shops. I had no idea that Dahlias were grown in the Pacific Northwest. Janeal was in heaven as we wandered through the Dahlia field with their family. We brought back some beautiful flowers for our table.
Dahlias on our dining room table. The Hitch family, Vashon Dahlia growers.
One of the highlights of my day was when Janeal and I visited Robert Crawford, a very special friend. Robert Crawford is a champion and an advocate for the rights of the disabled. Robert is very articulate and skilled in his legal training. Robert is a gifted writer, and will be publishing a book soon. Both of us have brothers that have suffered from the effects of cancer and who live with physical disabilities. I feel very blessed that we have friends like Robert. I think to understand Robert’s mission you need to read his personal note on his company’s website. His words and his mission to assist disabled individuals are profound. They will stir your soul. I wish Robert the very best in his quest. Jon
