A tradition which has developed over the years. Taking the Ferry back from playing golf at McCormick Woods. I have been on many ferries in my lifetime. Living in the state of Washington, which operates the largest ferry system in the United States. Just thought I would provide a little fun fact about our ferry system. The Bremerton ferry is one of the longer rides across the Puget Sound. Taking about an hour of time, the boat moves passengers from Bremerton to Downtown Seattle. While many of my rides aboard a ferry, have been in weather that leaves something to be desired. A climate that most of the time is a little cold or rainy. The trip taken a couple weeks ago had no such undesirable weather. The temperatures of the afternoon were in the lower eighties. Making for an ideal afternoon for playing golf at McCormick Woods and riding the ferry. The Bremerton ferry was just about ten miles up the road. Departing for Seattle at six that evening. Once the ferry schedule was checked, to indicate the sailing at six would be the last, until around nine. The goal of making it to the six o’clock ferry, did appear within reason. But our golf game would have to stay on a timed pace. Not too fast, but the thought was to be leaving the course by about 5:30. That would seem to provide plenty of time to get on the homeward bound boat.
The concept of taking the ferry back home, after playing McCormick Woods, began a handful of years ago. The idea started on a sunny afternoon, like the one experienced last month. Taking the ferry also meant not having to make the drive home from the Peninsula. Removing ourselves from having to sit in evening traffic along the highways of two major cities. Instead, the ferry option provided the opportunity to enjoy the evening. Especially, on a warm day in the Northwest. I love being out on a boat. No matter the size, there has always been something peaceful about being on the water. When a warm afternoon arrives, like happened when playing McCormick Woods. Which, we don’t always get to experience in this part of the world. Getting to spend an hour on a ferry boat is great. I’m always heading for the outside decks of the boat, on a nice day. The warmer the weather, the better, because the wind coming off the water can so often be too cold. Sending passengers back inside for warmth. Even on this trip, with the warmth of the evening, I was back and forth. Wanting to spend as much time on the open decks as possible but coming back out of the wind to catch moments of relief. The images of sailing along the sound felt too impressive, not to capture from the open air.
Food and treats are yet another positive in taking the ferry ride home. I remember the first time, we optioned for taking this sailing. After finishing a round of golf at McCormick Woods. The thought of sitting in evening traffic simply wasn’t appealing. Following the round we took a look at the ferry schedule. Finding there was a boat heading from Bremerton to Seattle in about a half hour. Looking at the time it would take to get from the golf course to the ferry dock, we had plenty of time. I remember feeling pretty hungry, after finishing eighteen holes of golf. I looked around, after pulling into the line of cars, waiting to board the ferry for Seattle. Looking at the time, there was still a good while before the time of departure. I could see a couple places to grab something, just across the empty aisles of the holding area, for the cars waiting to board. Walking toward the wall of shops, for the first time, I could see an ice cream shop. A milkshake struck me as a good option, under the circumstances. So, I went into the ice cream spot there and got my favorite. A large strawberry milkshake for the ride back to Seattle. The delicious treat was all I needed to fill up my stomach. Serving as my dinner on the way home, I didn’t need anything until breakfast. The milkshake from that spot was so good, it became a tradition. The strawberry milkshake has concluded every golf day at McCormick Woods, since. But this time, there just wasn’t enough time.
Even without the ability to secure the milkshake. I was excited for this sailing back to Seattle. The ferry boat could be seen floating into the dock, when the car came to a stop. Leaving precious time to do anything other than be prepared to drive aboard the boat. There would be food on the ferry. Dinner turned out to be a cheeseburger and a coffee, instead of the milkshake. Probably, a little better meal for me, on the boat. I was worried about drinking the mocha on the ferry. Even though the boat is massive, it still feels slightly unsteady, being out on the Puget Sound. So, I decided to use a method for drinking the coffee that I have recently adopted. The use of both hands. The mocha was from Starbucks, housed in one of those familiar glass containers. First, I ate my cheeseburger, thinking it would be challenging to manage the open coffee, at the same time. The ferry boat burger was better than I thought. Cooked pretty well done with a slab of perfectly melted cheese. It certainly wasn’t fresh off the grill, but it had good flavor. My next step was twisting off the large cap of the mocha. Concern over spilling was filling my emotions. I held the glass bottle tightly with my left hand and the cap was twisted off safely. There wasn’t enough feeling of stability to drink the mocha with one hand. So, I held the glass jar with two when taking my sips. The plan turned out well and the mocha hit the spot. I slowly sipped the coffee, while using my two-handed method. Finishing the drink without any spillage. Sometimes, in my life with cerebral palsy, that can feel like quite the accomplishment.
Dinner on the boat was a good one. Even without the traditional milkshake, the mocha felt like a good treat. Food was the first order of business on the ride and was finished within the first twenty minutes. Leaving plenty of time for enjoying the journey to Seattle, out in the sun. The ride from Bremerton to Seattle seems to begin through a relatively narrow waterway. As the boat navigated through the Sound, I looked out the window, while enjoying my cheeseburger. Watching the homes float by along the shores of the Puget Sound. Each looking like a fun place to spend a summer evening. On this weekday evening, even with the warmth of a July sun, the decks and yards sat empty. I wondered why there weren’t people out enjoying the weather? We don’t come across many evenings like the one we were experiencing. I couldn’t wait to get out to the front of the boat. Anxious to take in all the sights and sounds, as we powered through the sparkling blue water. The ferry navigated through the narrow waterways until taking its corner. Turning to the left, the Puget Sound opened into Elliot Bay, and the Seattle skyline came into view, still off in the distance. We passed a couple huge ships, waiting their turn to come into port, and unload their cargo. I stood in awe of the massive boats.
We scooted by the large cargo ships, anchored out to our right. Just beyond them, Mt. Rainer could be seen in all its splender. Covered in snow and reaching toward the clear blue sky above. Another image along this ferry ride, leaving awestruck at the place I call home. The mountain would be in clear view the entire way into Seattle. One of my favorite things about taking this ferry boat ride is watching Seattle grow with every knot. A picture of the city feels rare, to be seen from Elliot Bay. Not an image I get to enjoy much in my life. So, on such an amazing evening, such as it was, I wanted to be purposeful about taking it all in. I don’t know how many places in the world can provide this kind of experience. But I felt lucky to enjoy the incredible experience of being on board that ferry. Taking the ferry home from Bremerton to Seattle probably didn’t save any travel time. In fact, taking the ferry probably takes more time, in getting home. But the cool part is, it saves on time spent behind the wheel of the car. It also adds time to be spent with the people on the trip. The boat docked in downtown Seattle somewhere around seven and we drove the thirty minutes or so, out to Woodinville. It was a spectacular way to spend a summer’s day.
A Journey With Cerebral Palsy 