Washington State Ferries

Washington State Ferries runs the largest fleet of ferries in the US (4th largest in the world) and transports more than 22 million people and millions of cars and trucks, each year!

For me riding the ferry is a treat. First of all, if I am on the ferry it means that I am going somewhere to have fun backpacking and camping. So its a time to relax and soak in the beauty of water, sky and mountains.

A few weeks ago I spied a forecast for a string of nice days on the coast and so made my reservation to ride the Coupeville-Port Townsend Ferry over to the Olympic Peninsula. My ferry was schedule to depart at about 7am. I left home at 5 am hoping in the back of my mind to encounter some wonderful light as I arrived at the terminal in Coupeville.

The morning sky surpassed my most vivid dreams of color and hue. As sunrise approached the clouds exploded with such fantastic reds and purples that it was hard to believe. I rubbed my eyes more than once as I strode about the shore and loading dock, shooting madly.

Waiting until the last second I jumped in my car and was loaded onto the ferry. The light held and I circumnavigated the boat on foot several times capturing perfect image after perfect image of sky and sea, clouds and colors.

Finally the orgy of sensory overwhelm abated as the sky returned to its more mundane countenance.

Returning to the car, I sat exhausted and at the same time exhilarated from the experience.

I just barely started my journey and already had fulfilled my photographic dreams. I thought to myself, this is going to be a great trip!

Washington State is such a fantastic fairyland of photographic opportunities.

As the boat docks I am eagerly anticipating my next stop at Point of the Arches, in Olympic National Park.

All of these images and more from this trip are for view and purchase here in my Olympic Coast Gallery.

Maybe you would like to go on a guided Photo Tour? Here is a page with details of Photo Tours of Tulip Festival, Night Skies and the wild North Cascades. Hope to see you soon!