Back in the ’70s, there was a restaurant on Vashon Island that offered to pick people up at the ferry dock and take them to a romantic evening and back. It sounded wonderful. But it was years later, when we were out for a drive, that we finally ventured across the 15 minute ferry crossing and see what Vashon had to offer. Back then, K2 skis were manufactured on the island but there was little other business than a couple of grocers, a clothing store and a couple of hardware stores. As we drove south, we approached the small town of Burton and we were both hit with the same thought…..it look so much like Lake Tahoe California with tall trees, waterfront cabins, and the water beyond.
We ended up moving onto Vashon and became a part of its eclectic nature. We used to say, this is where the hippies of the ’60s retired. In reality, it is a mix of artists who create fascinating objects, professionals who commute, and, lately, people who use the network for business. K2 has left the island and a couple of guys, the Stewart Brothers created SBC Coffee which later sold to Starbucks as Seattle’s Best Coffee. There is now a new performing art theatre in construction, right in the center of the island, which is due to open this coming spring. Open space abounds and the network of people who alert each other when the Orca whales show up along the beaches.
The town is still small and hasn’t changed much….still no fast food places, no big box stores, and only 2 grocers. One of the hardware stores turned into a terrific restaurant called….yes, ‘The Hardware Store’ and still uses the nail bins as wine displays and has the original floors and Russian stove fireplace. The Saturday market is well attended as are the twice-annual open artist studio tours. The youth activities include a rowing club, swim teams, soccer, youth basketball, baseball, lacrosse teams, horse riding, sailing classes, hiking, art classes, music, beachcombing, and many parks and trails.
This is a favorite place for us because of the people…..there are many, many circles where you can become involved, meet individuals, get to know the island and its culture. Our “circles” are many and we love the people we meet and their stories. It takes time to get to know Vashon…..it is slow, small-town but not adverse to change. We have watched the slow transition of the culture over the years and watched the people who cannot slow down, be patient, and get frustrated at the ferry schedules and move back to the mainland. Come for a day or stay for a lifetime….just be open minded and try to observe the culture around.
