Ferry Ride

Yesterday was a bleak and dreary day in Bellingham.  The rain was falling (still) and there seemed to be no hope in sun appearing anytime soon.  So BJ and I jumped in the car and headed south to Seattle with the conclusion that we would either a) find a bit of sun (I know this sounds silly but come on, work with me here) or b) have fun looking for some.  

When we got to Seattle we went in search of a parking spot downtown which can either be really easy or really hard depending on how much you're willing to spend on a parking lot.  After finding a $7 lot we ditched the car and started getting our city-legs walking up and down hills.  A quick trip through Pike's Place Market led us to the wharf where we grabbed a quick coffee and headed to the ferry terminal.  It was the whole reason I really wanted to go to Seattle - I wanted to ride the ferry.  

There is something about the ferry for a girl like me.  It sounds a little ridiculous, especially to those who use the ferry every day to commute from work to home and to those who grew up using it to get from a tiny island to the big city; but for me the ferry is a little bit of a treat.  Being on the water in any way makes me happy - sail boat, speed boat, canoe, kayak, raft, ferry, whatever.  I love looking over the edge and watching the water as it runs alongside the boat.  I love the wind that hits your face and the feeling of being on a dock, rocking back and forth - even if you are on a boat as large and stable as a ferry you feel different when you step back onto dry land.  Everything about it makes me smile.  

I stepped up to the ticket counter and purchased two tickets.  We sat on a bench with our coffee and waited for our turn to jump aboard.  Then the ship came in, we scanned our cards, grabbed a seat, and headed out.  Our ferry went to Bainbridge Island where normally we probably would have jumped off the boat and wandered but the rain was ridiculous.  So we sat and played cards - I let BJ win.  

On the way back to Seattle we stood at the front of the ferry as long as we could, the wind pushing us away from the railing.  It was so strong!  It felt good to be cold, to be pushed by an invisible force.  Once again, I'm sure it sounds silly to everyone who would consider the ferry some sort of a staple or essential element to their life, but I felt a little bit alive.  The wind and the water was good for my soul.  So good.