Herbert, Herman, whatever he is called these days, has apparently followed us across the sound and taken up a perch astern of us on the linear mooring system here in Eagle Harbor. I really hope it wasn't he who pooed upon the starboard cockpit bench last night. I shall be severely disappointed.
Mandy is over in the City (as they call it here) working today and I have had to wander about Winslow on Bainbridge Island all by my lonesome. Actually I quite like the place, despite a paucity of coffee shops in the immediate harbor area.
Mandy was saying the other day that it doesn't feel like fall yet, but it sure did to me this morning as I walked around in the cool mist, with the trees starting to turn and Halloween decorations everywhere. I was just looking for a Starbucks (there isn't one) but I quite liked my little tour of downtown Winslow. Unlike so many well-to-do towns that have sprung up in the middle of quaint villages, the architecture here pretty much all seems to match. Modern condos, cottages, and townhomes all blend in well with the older houses and cottages, and a fine patina of vegetation tends to mask what differences there are. I didn't see many mega-mansions, although certainly those abound along the waterfront all around the island; in Winslow, the homes are small and tidy, making excellent use of space.
The commercial areas are tidy and well-considered also. The buildings are mostly newer, but again the new fits well with the old. I've never seen so many doctors, spas, yoga studios, and gyms... the islanders must be some of the fittest and healthiest people on earth. But then, since it seems most of them walk or ride their bikes down to the ferry every day and then to whatever points their business takes them in Seattle, they probably get plenty of exercise anyway.
They are dying the slow death of frogs in a pot of water being brought slowly to a boil, though, as a series of "citizen" initiatives has led to decreased transportation funding and increasing ferry fares these past few years. Indeed, another just took effect; traditionally, to cope with the summer tourist season, Washington State Ferries levies an additional charge during the summer months, removing it to the relief of locals in the fall. This year, they are taking away the summer surcharge, but simultaneously adding in a rate hike so most people will actually pay more than they did this summer.
It's hard to say what effect this will ultimately have; certainly it will press hard against the less well-to-do commuters, who may find the economics of the situation dictates a move back to the mainland. Will Bainbridge become an even more exclusive enclave? A sleepy retirement community? Or will the wealthy depart too when the low funding levels result in almost inevitable service cuts, such as those that have already done away with passenger-only ferry service?
One of the benefits of having our own floating transportation is that the outcome won't really affect us either way. But it would be sad to see this lovely little place dwindle.
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