Home Island Life Solstice: Vashon Island Celebrates the Longest Day

Solstice: Vashon Island Celebrates the Longest Day

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Solstice: Vashon Island Celebrates the Longest Day
Olympic Mountain, Puget Sound Sunset
Olympic Mountain, Puget Sound Sunset

 Celebrating Solstice: Summer returns to Vashon Island

I began my day in a sweater (cotton) and my day ended in a sweater (wool), a fitting and not unlikely costume change for the first day of summer in the Pacific Northwest. The varying degrees of chill here require you to choose your fibers wisely. And, I can report that by noon I was resplendent in my weekend uniform: a v-neck tee and shorts (clean t-shirt I might add).

Olympic Mountain sunset solstice
View from the Fauntleroy – Vashon ferry dock.

Solstice goes pretty pagan here on the island though I’m not sure if pagans had potlucks and pinot noir. I spent my evening with friends on the north end of the island. It’s high-bluff geography jutting out into the middle of Puget Sound like the bow of a boat—a vantage point that challenges the wind and affords its guests and residents an unequaled view of Colvos Passage and the Olympic Mountains to the west. I often think of this range as the world’s largest sundial. Its southern flanks host and hide the sun during the long dark winter months. Then beginning in spring, the sun is shepherded across the entire ridge line of the range, marking the culmination of summer at its northernmost reach. It’s a moment when most islanders slip into a state of denial. For the longest day and farthest reach signal a return path to opposite extremes. 

Welcome summer!
Puget Sound turns in for the evening.

Inevitably, we recognize that the sun—like most island commuters—is not immune to the reality of a roundtrip. The evening culminated with a rousing two-minute display of fireworks, crackling bon fire and chorus of kind voices trying to recall the words to many fine campfire songs. It was fitting tribute to Solstice, and on the drive home, I enjoyed an extended warmth not provided by sweater, bon fire, or reluctant truck heater. Welcome summer.

4 COMMENTS

  1. […]   Returning to the island at sunset (in July), the Olympic Mountains signing off for the day I began the  day began in a sweater (cotton) and my day ended in a sweater (wool), a fitting and not unlikely costume change for the first day of summer in the Pacific Northwest. The varying degrees of chill here require you to choose your fibers wisely. And, I can report that by noon I was resplendent in my weekend uniform: a v-neck tee and shorts (clean t-shirt I might add). View original here: Solstice: Vashon Celebrates the Longest Day of the Year […]

  2. Oh, thanks for that glimpse of the sun, which we have not seen since BEFORE the solstice. I was wishing for that long, golden light (and maybe some campfire songs too). Thanks EVER so much for sharing!

  3. TOM-

    You captured the sunsets with expertise!! Add a palm tree or two and it could be Hawaii!! I so enjoy this website—keep up the good work—

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