February 24th, 2014
Our local ferry system is a major part of public transit around here. But unlike a bus or a train, the ferries provide plenty of room to spread out while you pass the time. So we have a little tradition that happens on nearly every vessel: communal puzzles.
I think this is one of the most charming things about Washington.
As a puzzle fan myself, I know how easy it is to get sucked in—but I love how it’s something that anybody can work on for awhile, and then leave (or dismantle) for the next person to come along (or come back to yourself on the return trip!).
Once I got delayed on a ferry for almost two hours in the San Juan Islands, waiting for a dangerous bank of fog to clear. This guy was at his puzzle the entire time—I never saw him look up once. I wonder if he even noticed the time passing…
Even Candace got sucked in when she was here.
Actually, I wonder if the ferries ever have trouble getting passengers to actually leave the vessels—just one more piece, and then we’ll go, I swear!
July 9th, 2010
Well, if this isn’t a case of “be careful what you wish for,” I don’t know what is. Though for the record, I’m pretty sure I was the only person in the entire Pacific Northwest who wasn’t doing any wishing. (I like the cold.) Monday it was a sweater-perfect 65 degrees; today it scorched out at 93. As I’ve said before, as we so rarely have hot weather and air conditioning is therefore scarce (and totally unnecessary 99 percent of the time)—well, if you want to cool off, you’ve gotta get creative.
In this, my third summer here, a certain set of cooling-off routines are quickly becoming a tradition. Here, then, are my top-5 favorite heat-beating tips, Northwest style:
1. Grab a friend and get on a boat. Namely, the Bainbridge Island ferry. Since it’s always at least twenty degrees cooler on the Sound, the passage kicks up a deliciously cold breeze that puts every air conditioner in Phoenix to shame.
2. Take a cue from the seagulls and head for the prow. The breeze is stronger up there—the birds sure love it.
3. When you arrive on Bainbridge, stroll down to Mora for a cone. I’m a believer in Dessert First.
(Use a spoon as necessary to stay ahead of the melting.)
4. When you get back to the mainland, duck into an air-conditioned restaurant and follow up that dessert with a light, cold dinner and an icy drink. Do this European style, and take your sweet time.
5. When you finally finish dinner, take a walk in the evening air and watch the sun do spectacular things on its way out. That’s the best part, and the most solemn promise of hot-hot days in this neck of the woods.
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