Bainbridge Island

I took advantage of another sunny Saturday to take the ferry to Bainbridge Island. First stop was the farmers' market to buy some eggs and local strawberries, just in season, small and flavorful, followed by the Blackbird bakery, where the goodies fully justified the long line. I tried a lavender sugar cookie and a rhubarb cream scone, both of which were excellent - tasty, moist and crumbly.

Next I took the shuttle to the northern tip of the island to the Bloedel Reserve, a beautiful estate surrounded by tranquil gardens. It was lovely to walk along the paths under the trees and hear only the sound of my footsteps crunching on the cedar chips and the birds calling. There were beautiful vistas across lawns and ponds as well as Puget Sound.

Back in Winslow (the main town on the island) I went to the Historical Museum, which had an amazing amount of exhibits crowded in a tiny space. It was very informative, particularly telling the story of the Japanese American community who were unjustly expelled from the island after the Pearl Harbor attack in 1942 to be detained in POW camps in California and Idaho, documented by photographer Ansel Adams. The first generation Japanese immigrants or Issei moved to the island in the 1880s to work in the lumber mills. It was the second generation or Nissei that were interned.

My last stop was the Harbor House pub. My timing was perfect as I got the best table in the house, out on the deck overlooking the marina. The docents at the museum recommended the smoked salmon chowder, promising me I would find six gods in my bowl. They were right - it was fabulous, smoky, creamy and buttery, washed down with a foaming pint of Port Townsend IPA. After lunch I strolled along the boardwalk and jetties. The water was so clear that I could see all kinds of sea creatures - fat pink starfish, dark red and white anemones and even moon jellyfish, as well as shoals and shoals of tiny fish.