Take yourself to a simpler time in just 15 minutes. Yes, time travel is real and you do it by ferry from Seattle, Tacoma, and the Kitsap Peninsula, even Bellevue. Your destination? Vashon Island. You’ll know you’ve entered another era the moment you exit the ferry. Do you want to return to the sixties? It’s here in tie-dye, bearded musicians and fringed moccasins. Fifties? Check out the Island Farmers’ Market every Saturday. Forties? Just ride our winding, rural roads in your car, your scooter or bicycle. There’s so much here that time loses its meaning altogether, no matter when you visit.
Spring on Vashon bursts into bloom with boundless Northwest color. Enjoy kayaking Quartermaster Harbor and wine-tasting at local wineries all in one package, June 15 and 16, from Jensen Point on the Burton Peninsula. Our gardeners are artists in their glory this time of year. Come for the Solstice weekend tour of selected gardens (June 22 and 23), and add an airplane ride over the island to take in the color like one big painting. Spring also hosts ballet performances from two Island dance organizations and special exhibits at the Heritage museum. Island farms at this time of year have piglets, chicks, lambs and kid goats to share with visitors, and plenty of organic greens for sale at the roadside farm stands.
Spring is a great time to tour the Seven Wonders of Vashon, from the bike in the tree to the UFO at Vashon’s Municipal Airport. And, May’s first and second weekends fling open over 30 artists’ studios to visitors.
Summer—Vashon’s ‘busy’ season. Park your car on the ferry and take a deep breath. In front of you there’s nothing but Puget Sound’s slate blue waters and Island green. You can feel your blood pressure drop. By the time the ferry lands, you’re on Island Time. Drive to your one-of-a-kind vacation rental (we have over 55 on Vashon), drop your bags, step outside andtake in the view. They’re all outstanding.
On an average summer Friday night, you can choose from any of five or more venues for rock, folk, blue grass, chorale, opera, jazz or musical surprises, indoors and out. Saturday morning, partake of abundance at the Saturday Farmers’ Market. There you can buy Island grown organic produce, meats, even wines, bread and cheese…and special gifts for the folks you left behind. Take that picnic you just got at the Farmers’ Market and rent a kayak on the Burton Peninsula. Paddle off onto the sparkling waters of Quartermaster Harbor. There are plenty of beaches to accommodate your picnic lunch before you return the boats. After all that fresh air and sunshine, you might be ready for a nap…or you might enjoy moseying through the eclectic mix of galleries and shops in Vashon Town until you close your day dining at one of Vashon’s fine restaurants. Choose from upscale American, Northwest specialties, gourmet Thai, pizza, burgers, vegetarian and more.
Wake up late and refreshed Sunday morning and ease yourself into brunch, then wallow in nature with a hike through one of the Island’s many and varied trails. You can engage one of Vashon’s birding experts to show you hidden Audubon treasures; or give your dog a beach run. Most of Vashon is dog friendly to friendly dogs.
If you come to Vashon during the Strawberry Festival July 19 to 21 this year, Friday night launches a full weekend of music from Northwest artists, including a majority of Island grown talent. The Strawberry Festival boasts a beer garden or two, street vendors galore, wine and jazz for those inclined, a carnival, booths overflowing with Island-grown art and two parades through Sunday.
The Pt. Robinson lighthouse on Maury Island’s tip is a favorite of Island visitors, parents, grandparents and kids, especially at the Low Tide Celebration, June 23, 10AM-3PM. Kite Day happens at Pt. Robinson, May 25, 10AM. Free Sunday lighthouse tours, May through September, start at 1PM, narrated by Vashon’s own sea captain, Joe Wubbold. You’ll go home from your summer weekend relaxed and filled with your own tales to tell.
Vashon Island is a sleepy hamlet with a big secret – it’s only sleepy if that’s what you want. Spend a weekend discovering the little secrets Vashon holds for visitors.
Susan McCabe is the Vashon Island concierge with more information at www.vashonvacations.com or to go www.vashonchamber.com for restaurant and B&B listings.