"All Things Edmonds" Blog

         Why I love Edmonds.....   Reason #3

    The coho are coming!  Our access to the waters of Puget Sound are unparalleled. Go fishing! 

Don't we live in such a magnificent area?!  I caught two coho (8 lbs and 12 lbs) last weekend.  I was reminded that so much of what keeps our property values up in Edmonds is the natural beauty within which we live. 

Keep up the good work, Edmonds!

I got a flyer in the mail the other day, courtesy of the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce, with happenings in Edmonds, WA for December and January. 

Here they are:

• December 8, 2009 - Edmonds Christmas Ship Sing-Along.  7pm - 7:30pm on the Edmonds Fishing Pier (425-771-0230).
• December 17, 2009 - Thursday Art Walk. 5pm - 8pm. Program downloadable at the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce website.
  
• January 21, 2010 - Thursday Art Walk.  5pm - 8pm. Program downloadable at the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce website.

EDMONDS, WA -- Seattle Times writer Lynn Thompson wrote a nice article on Edmonds, WA in the November 5, 2009 edition of the paper.  It focuses mainly on how the town has evolved and yet kept true to its past, with the shops and stores that have clustered around the downtown area.

It's worth the read.  Perhaps over some coffee or breakfast at your favorite eatery.

Edmonds, WA -- I've heard about her story and now it looks like she's gone viral and her story has been picked up by the Seattle times. Local fundraiser Carol Schillios has been on her business' rooftop since late July trying to raise money for a number of causes, including a health clinic in Nepal.  

If you want to see for yourself, give a donation or just to ask her a few questions of your own, you can visit her at downtown Edmonds.

EDMONDS, WA -- Let’s talk about rules of etiquette for riding a ferry. Here in Edmonds, we have many unique features that make us “special.” One of these features is that we are one of 19 ferry terminals used by the Washington State Ferry System. Each year, the Washington State Ferries haul 24 million passengers – about a quarter of all U.S. ferry traffic. Its 24 vessels range from a tiny boat that links Tacoma to Vashon Island, to a tourist-friendly international run that winds through the scenic San Juan Islands to Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

On any given day, you can see a long line of cars parked along Edmonds Way waiting to get onto either of our two jumbo ferries for Kingston. Average wait times can be as little as 10 minutes to several hours. The question donned on me recently: what do you do if you’re stuck in one of these long lines in your car and have to go to the bathroom?

The question begs a greater about rules of etiquette while waiting for a ferry? While I don’t know of any published or official rules, I think there are some that are generally agreed upon by those or regularly take the ferries across the Puget Sound.

Rule #1. Don’t block driveways or intersections. When you have ferry lines backing up for a couple miles, it can be frustrating to navigate local streets. It’s important that as ferry passengers, you are alert enough to know that you should not block driveways and intersections (most of which are clearly marked as such) so that non-ferry traffic and move through these areas without hindrance. You might be weary of leaving such a big gap in between you and the car ahead of you for fear of someone cutting in front of you. But fear not, Rule #2 at your rescue!

Rule #2. No cuts allowed! As tempting as it may be to drive up an extra block or mile before getting in the ferry line, know that it is not only highly disrespectful but also illegal to do so. While you probably won’t face jail time, you’ll have no less than several people report you to the terminal crew or State Trooper on duty. Just ask Ed Sutton, chair of the San Juan Ferry Advisory Committee, who was caught cutting in line.

Rule #3. Don’t argue with the crew or ticket agents. They are doing their jobs. If you don’t get on, it’s not their fault (usually).

Rule #4. Be a gentleman. And if you can’t, show some grace anyway. Sometimes, you just *have* to get out of line temporarily. This actually happened to me when I really had to go to the bathroom. I got out of my car and asked the drivers of the three cars immediately behind me whether they had a problem with me driving to a bathroom and returning to my spot. They did not, so I left. Of course, it’s always the fourth person back who has a problem. He reported me to the State Patrol at the terminal who was more than understanding and let me on. The point is, everyone takes cheating the system seriously, but in the end, it’s probably not going to affect your ability to get on the next ferry, so stay calm and enjoy the ride. 

Click here for more information about the Washington State Ferry system.

Visit my website for more information about the city of Edmonds, WA, or further musings at my “All Things Edmonds” blog.