Riding the Ferries Around Seattle in Early October

A few days in Seattle back in early October, 2002. The city had that typical Pacific Northwest feel under an overcast sky, with the Space Needle and the marinas of Lake Union below. A lot of my time seemed to be spent just getting around, which often meant being on the water.

One evening, waiting at the ferry terminal, the sun finally broke through the heavy clouds right as it was setting. It cast a brilliant, almost harsh, reflection across Elliott Bay, silhouetting the boats moving in the distance. I watched the light shift as our ferry slowly approached the dock.

The ride itself gave a completely different view of the city. From the water, you could see the entire downtown skyline rising up behind the piers. It was a mix of glassy towers, older brick buildings, and the industrial structures along the waterfront. We passed other ferries making their crossings, smaller boats, and even a massive cruise ship docked for the night. It was a constant, steady movement of people and vessels.