Vashon Island
In August of last year, just a few months after Covid took hold, but long enough time to need a break from everyday life, I went to Vashon Island for a short 3 day get away. In the 42 years I’ve lived in Seattle I’d never been there. With the presence of Covid, yet even with warm, sunny weather, the center of town was empty. I was, however, able to locate and patronize the local ice cream shop on the main drag a few times.
The Airbnb where I stayed was absolutely charming, right out of a story book. The house was advertised as a farm, but it is actually an old farmhouse surrounded by fabulous gardens and garden art. Even the barn is a work of art. I can’t imagine how spectacular the gardens are in the spring.
Gardens at my Airbnb
Gardens at my Airbnb
Veronica the chicken
There are just a few animals on the farm – a goat, an alpaca, a dog and a chicken named Veronica. Veronica kept me company on the veranda overlooking the gardens each afternoon when I returned from exploring the island. She and I became good buddies by the time I left.
The next morning I found myself on the eastern shore of the island which is lined with wild-lands and natural areas. Most of these lands are protected by the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust, founded in 1990 by a group of conservation-minded residents who were concerned about preserving the natural eco-systems. Since then, over 2000 acres of land have been acquired by the trust, and another 3000 acres are protected and being stewarded by private landowners.
Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust Land
I stopped at one inviting location and took a walk on the beach. The tide was out and sea treasures were strewn across the beach. There were dozens of tall posts visible, covered with barnacles to the level of the water during high tide. Walking on the sand was not easy because it was so wet. More like sand puddles, but it didn’t dissuade me from walking around even though my feet sank down like quick sand a few times.
Point Robinson
A short drive south is Point Robinson, a 10 acre shoreline park on Maury Island jutting out into and overlooking the East Passage, directly opposite south King County on the “main land”. The lighthouse, one of the most popular sites on the island, has been serving the vessels that come through that area since 1865. The beautiful sandy beach, strewn with driftwood, wraps around the point. But it’s the vision of boats on the water with Mount Rainier in the background that took my breath away.
Point Robinson Lighthouse
East Passage and Mount Rainier
Mukai Farm and Gardens
On my way to the ferry on my last day, I visited Mukai Farm and Gardens. In the center of Vashon Island and adjacent to the Island Center Forest, it offers a glimpse into the life of the Mukai family from 1926-1942. The Japanese garden was designed by Kuni Mukai and features extensive rockwork, plantings and a surrounding pond. The family had also constructed a barreling plant to process and pack their strawberry harvest. The grounds have beautiful walking paths throughout their 60 acres displaying, a large variety of trees, plants and flowers.
Mukai Farm and Gardens
Mukai Farm and Gardens
With the focus on the Japanese-American presence in the region, the Farm and Gardens sponsored the island’s first Haiku festival. As I strolled on the many paths on the estate I read dozens of poems written by Vashon natives and posted throughout the gardens and on the buildings. It was a wonderful way to end an inspiring and peaceful journey to a place to which I look forward to visiting again.
Haiku at Mukai Farm and Gardens