Departing from the south end of the island, the less-traveled Vashon-Tacoma ferry between Tahlequah and Point Defiance is a step back in time and a welcomed respite. The M/V Rhododendron chugs across the south sound with the charm of a child’s vintage pull toy. 
Heading home after a fine time at a friend’s open house, I took the pole position on the car deck of my favorite ferry, the aforementioned Rhododendron (which unfortunately is to be decommissioned soon). Exposed and just inches about the water, my trusty, rusty beater was elevated to king-of-the-world status on the vessel’s bow.
The 15-minute movie that is the crossing is best experienced in 3-D, outside and in the elements. I bundled up, grabbed my camera and braced for the chill of a maritime breeze. The moon welcomed my arrival, Mount Rainier bid adieu after tucking itself in under a glow of pink, and the warmth of a day sustained me. Other drivers and passengers safe in their sealed cocoons, leaned downward, focusing on the duties inherent in a portable handheld device. I was tempted to tap on a couple windows and point to sky, for when beauty is parked right outside your window, it’s only polite to look up.
Gorgeous pictures Tom! The pictures alone are worth a thousand words, although, I do believe your words outweigh any other words that can be said for such beauty!
Thanks Tom, AGAIN! So incredibly beautiful …ditto Ina!
Amen! We take that route with our daughter just for the sheer enjoyment of it at least once a year. The ferry is so rustic, yet so quaint. Maybe those insane enough to stay “connected” while on such a mesmerising excursion should be denied access to the boat–or charged double rate. 🙂 Can you imagine a trip over, surrounded only by people who were there to marvel in the beauty of it?
Thanks for the beautiful pictures!
Oh you are so fortunate to be able to see this whenever you feel like it. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us. It is so beautiful.
Thanks for documenting that beautiful sunset. You and your truck have some wonderful times.
Thanks for sharing, beautiful! I too feel sorry for folks that don’t notice what’s right in front of them. Our captains sometimes get on the loudspeaker and point things out. Even when I was commuting, I never stopped watching the always changing scenery.
Totally lovely, Tom.
Shirley
woowwwwooo! To be able to see it and capture it on film is very lucky!
Your words are poetry. ..especially love the final line.
Ditto on all of the above…from the sunshine state (which I love to wake up to each morning), your words and pics always tempt me to “go west young woman”! But then I remember January – May…maybe I’ll split the year between the state of the sun and the state of the moon! <3
Lovely. Simply, lovely.
I’d be out standing on the deck with you!
I can see Mount Rainier from a couple of my upstairs windows – the Puget Sound weather vane.
Thanks!! I’m determined to take that ferry ASAP.
I always look forward to your posts – so eloquent with words and photos! I have given you the Versatile Blogger Award in my latest post. I hope my blog readers enjoy your blog as much as I do.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!
And it never ceases to amaze me that we see the same moon, though we are half a world away…
Thank you Tom XO
Just beautiful…I’m always amazed at people who seem oblivious to the natural beauty around them…how can anything compete with something so glorious!?!
Stunning pictures , Tom: breath taking!
So nice to enjoy the beauty of nature. Truly a feast for the eyes. “our moon’ here come out from behind Oakland hills and it is an spectacular event.
Heguiberto
Tom, these are some of the most spectacular photos I’ve ever seen and, as you and I discussed at the above mentioned Open House, the view of Mt. Rainier on the ferry from Tacoma to Vashon is simply the best. Seems I actually was lucky enough to meet the Christmas Spirit at that Open House and it’s you.! Thank you for sharing your extraordinary gift of writing with us.