Ferry Ride… No Car Needed!

I think its pretty apparent that we love to take ferry rides. If you have ever been on a ferry ride across Puget Sound, you would probably understand why. Then again, so many people become so complacent with where they live that it loses its thrill. It has yet to do so for us and I don’t think it ever will, especially for Abby and Ellie.
So far we have taken ferry rides with our car, that way we could drive to our favorite places once across the sound. But today, we didn’t feel like spending a bunch of time on the other side so we decided to just walk on! Its super cheap and the walk on ride back is free. After parking the car and bundling up it was off for the ferry on a chilly but beautiful and sunny day.
Parked, ready to go and enjoying the sight of Mt. Baker covered in snow in the distance.
Winter sun setting on the Puget Sound
Doing their best fashion walk up the walkway to board the ferry.
Patiently waiting and having a few good laughs with daddy while waiting for the ferry.
Silly Ellie…
Beginning of a beautiful sunset near Edmonds
“Look mommy!”
Sunset and Moon-rise over Edmonds
Very important conversations with daddy.
Sunset over the Olympics
Watching the ferry some in to the dock. Pretty neat to watch.
Bye Bye Cars… Its been fun!

The girls had a great time and enjoyed riding the ferry in a new way. As we waited to disembark we had the chance to watch the ferry pull up and we watched as the cars unloaded too. Its always fun to see things you love to do from a different perspective. Until next time Edmonds ferry!

Ferry Ride to Kingston

Ferry rides are our go to thing to do when we need to get out of the house but its too wet and dreary to get to the park and play or to walk around downtown. They never get old, especially for Abby and Ellie. Today we needed to get out and take a break from the house, so off on the Edmonds to Kingston Ferry we went. We didn’t have anything planed other than enjoying the time out and we certainly did. It always makes for a decent photo session too!

Happy to watch the water and the world go by.

Sitting with Daddy, contemplating life and wondering if mermaids are in the Puget Sound.
Abby and Daddy always have something to talk about.

Ellie’s Very First Ferry Ride

The last day and a half we have been working our tails off on cleaning and unpacking. Its getting pretty repetitive. Its been warm here too, high 80’s to low 90’s with 70% humidity and no AC. In the middle of the afternoon today, we decided that enough was enough and we needed to get out and away from the heat. As a break and a bit of a treat, we decided to take a ferry ride. But 
This wasn’t just any ferry ride, it was Ellie’s very first ferry ride! She has heard stories from us and especially from Abby about riding the ferries in Seattle and now she was going to get the chance to ride one! The idea of driving your car onto a boat is pretty thrilling for a three year old. Heck, its pretty thrilling for an adult too.

Today we decided to go from Edmonds over to Kingston and then take the Bainbridge ferry into Seattle. It seemed proper to give Ellie the full tour and she would get to see the Seattle skyline on the way back. Being that its a work day, the wait at the ferry was short and with very few cars. As we waited the train passed by too!

All smiles and ready for her first ferry ride!
Pudget sound looking North at Mt. Baker from the ferry.
Two adorable sisters. Abby was being a great helper showing Ellie around and telling her what the ferry was all about.
Mt. Rainer on a gorgeous and clear day. Love the place we live!
Daddy and Ellie enjoying a beautiful first ride on the ferry
Mommy and Ellie enjoying her first ride on the ferry!
Love having the wind in their hair and the air in their face.

Ellie giggled nervously as we drove on but then was excited to stop. Better yet, she was thrilled that we actually got out of the car and stand out on the “boat”. Abby was a great big sister and tried to explain everything about the ferry to Ellie. We spent some time out on the deck watching everything pass by. The day was perfectly clear, which allowed us to see Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier and the Olympics. All I kept hearing from Ellie was “WOW, so pretty!”

After the ride over we stopped for a quick bite, did a bit of driving and then headed over to Bainbridge to take the ferry back. Tonight was a full moon and the sky, as the sun set and the moon rose, was spectacular. As we sat and waited for the ferry, we had the chance to watch the moon rise and the beautiful colors of the sky. So pretty.

Full moon over Puget Sound at the Bainbridge Ferry Terminal.
Moon-rise over the Sound
A very happy and the Seattle skyline.
Sisters and the best of friends.

Once on the ferry we headed up on deck. The sun had pretty much set but the moon kept the sky well lit. Once we rounded the corner out of Bainbridge, Ellie could see the skyline and she was so excited. Never before had she seen the Seattle skyline lit up at night and when she realized that she could see the Space Needle she couldn’t stop jumping around and giggling. It was probably the best way to end a perfect day and a perfect first ferry ride. That’s one thing that Ellie can check off of her list of things to do!