At times I may sound like an unpaid volunteer for the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce. This could be one of those times.
For those not in the know, Bainbridge Island is a 65-square mile island with 24,404 inhabitants that is a 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. While not overly descriptive, these few words nonetheless account for what I think makes our island community so unique. After all, where else in the Pacific Northwest can you live surrounded by water in a quiet, semi-rural area – yet be so close to a vibrant cosmopolitan city like Seattle? On top of that, people can travel to and from Bainbridge Island using Washington State Ferries, the most popular tourist attraction in the State.
As Bainbridge Islanders well know, we aren’t just talking itty-bitty boats. The Jumbo Mark II ferry class, which is used on the high-volume Seattle-Bainbridge run, is one-and-a-half football fields long, and accommodates 2499 passengers and 202 vehicles. All told, Washington State Ferries operates the largest ferry fleet in the United States, with 23 ferries daily crossing Puget Sound and its inland waterways while carrying over 23 million passengers each year. I can personally attest to their efficiency and comfort, having previously commuted to Seattle by ferry for a total of 28 years, which in turn means I probably have over 20,000 ferry rides under my belt. And in case you happen to have a bad day at the office (or are just plain old thirsty), it’s always nice to have the option of a microbrew or glass of Chardonnay in the galley (which explains my name for the above image).
My gallery of local images from Seattle and Puget Sound, including more ferry shots, will soon be available in my online store. In the meantime, I have a great selection of matted, metal, canvas, and fine art acrylic prints at my gallery on Bainbridge Island. If you’re in my neighborhood, please stop by for a visit.
Ciao for now!
Andrew (“Andy”) Bergh