Riding The Ferry

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My niece sent me this cool shot from the deck of a Washington State Ferry on her way from Anacortes, Washington to Sidney, British Columbia. She and her Mom took a short vacation to relax and recharge. The trip was a blast -- they enjoyed the drive up from Tacoma to Anacortes, the ferry ride with stops through the San Juan Islands, arriving in Sidney, and exploring the Sidney and Victoria areas.

They stayed in an apartment in a private home, visited museums, popular restaurants, pubs, and vast public gardens. They explored art galleries and streets of quaint shops. They covered a lot of ground, but found plenty of time to enjoy tea rooms, a variety of ethnic eateries, neighborhood sports bars, boutiques, first run movies, hockey games, and of course, a lot of shopping. Their getaway week was book-ended by the breathtaking view from the ferry to and from Anacortes.

It's a popular trip many Pacific Northwesterners take -- the only difference over the last few years is that a passport is required by both sides to cross the international border. Americans and Canadians have always had a special bond of friendship and relaxed exchange of goods and visitors back and forth across the unmilitarized border. I'd like to say this freedom was unbroken from the beginning, but there was a time when we had a little dispute called the Pig War, and our relationship suffered.

That was settled through arbitration, no shots were fired, both sides forgave each other for the dispute, and our two nations resumed their friendly and cooperative relations. Our bonds are strong and we respect and admire each other. May it be ever so!

The travelers enjoyed themselves and can't wait to return. What more could one ask for a successful vacation? :D

For more information: Visit Washington State, Washington State Ferry System, San Juan Islands route, Visit the San Juans, Anacortes, WA, Sidney, BC, Victoria, BC, Pig War.

Thanks for visiting!