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Sound Reasoning
by John Lund
Edmonds and Kingston, Washington are in the center of boating activity
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Residents who live on the 90-mile-long, 2,000-square-mile body of water called Puget Sound have a unique way of relating to each other. They usually describe themselves as living in one of the points of the compass, as in South Sound, North Sound, East Sound or West Sound -- as if Puget Sound itself were the center of their universe.
Maybe it is.
Puget Sound lies at the geographic center of the Pacific Northwest and has a profound influence on the millions of people who live here. To live in the Puget Sound region is to travel, work and play by water. This is, indeed, the center of boating activity in the Northwest.
A narrow neck of water, measuring 4.5 miles across, marks the center point of Puget Sound -- with the city of Edmonds on the eastern shore and the small town of Kingston to the west. Two busy Washington State ferries, which make 56 trips every day, connect the two mid-Sound ports. The ferry route divides north Puget Sound from the southern half.
The two ports, while connected, are quite different in what they offer boaters venturing north and south on Puget Sound. Both Kingston and Edmonds make great stops.
Here’s what you’ll find at each:
Edmonds
On all counts, the Port of Edmonds is a winner for visiting boaters. Perhaps the best thing it has going for it is its easy-to-reach location on the eastern shore of Puget Sound, 15 miles north of Seattle.
Aside from its convenience, the two things visiting boaters will probably remember about Edmonds long after they have left are the friendliness of the people they’ve met and the beauty of the city’s flowers.
Every year, Edmonds residents participate in a program called “Edmonds in Bloom,” in which the city celebrates its civic pride by planting flowers everywhere.
On the friendliness scale, Edmonds tops them all -- and is often called “the friendliest town in Western Washington.”
The Port of Edmonds has first-class facilities that include in-the-water-moorage for 800 boats, dry storage for up to 500 boats and guest moorage for up to 100 vessels. The marina was totally rebuilt after a severe ice storm destroyed it in 1996.
Getting There
The Port of Edmonds provides the only public boating access on the highly populated 30-mile stretch of shoreline between Shilshole Bay and the Port of Everett, to the north. NOAA charts 18473, 18446 and 18441 are recommended for this region.
The marina lies to the south of the Edmonds ferry dock. A 950-foot-long fishing pier runs outside the marina’s riprap breakwater, which has an entrance located about midway along.
From the entrance, turn south toward the guest moorage. About 1,000 feet of guest moorage is available north of the fuel dock -- on a first come, first served basis. Additional space becomes available during summer, with slips to 80 feet.
At the Docks
The marina docks have all the most-requested amenities, including freshwater hookups and both 20 and 30 amp power. The marina has both a pumpout and a sanitary dump station.
Nearby, you’ll find restrooms, showers and telephones.
The fuel dock offers diesel fuel, gasoline and oil. Next door, Bud’s Bait House has fishing gear, bait, ice, fishing licenses and even some confections.
In-the-water repair services are also available at the marina. You’ll find a large do-it-yourself boat yard, four boat launchers, a 35 ton Travelift and a trailer parking area. A laundry is about a block and a half away.
Should you wish to do any major shopping, the port offers a minivan shuttle service to town. If you prefer to walk, the town center is only nine blocks away.
There are more than 10 restaurants within walking distance of the marina. The easiest one to find is Anthony’s Home Port Restaurant and Beach Cafe, which sits at the top of the dock.
A marine parts store is nearby. Bargain hunters might want to browse through the local Antique Mall or some of the other nearby shops.
When in Edmonds
You’ll definitely want to make the short walk or shuttle trip to downtown Edmonds. The atmosphere is that of a lovely small town, despite the fact that Edmonds is being surrounded by the ever-growing metropolis of Seattle.
On Edmonds streets, you’ll see antique lampposts with hanging baskets of flowers, fountains, gardens and rows of unique shops. You’ll especially want to visit the historic Old Milltown section.
History buffs will want to visit the Edmonds Museum, at 118 Fifth Ave. Built in 1911, the museum was originally a Carnegie library. Boaters will appreciate the museum’s Marine Room, with its collection of photographs of Puget Sound’s earliest vessels, ship models, brass instruments and early nautical charts of the region.
The log cabin alongside the museum houses the Edmonds Visitors’ Information Center. Officially named the Bicentennial Pioneer Log Cabin, the structure was moved from its original site (2 miles away), as a community project in 1976.
The center offers much useful information, including maps and an Edmonds Historic Walk Guide that describes 20 turn-of-the-century buildings and residences you can view on a self-guided walking tour. You’ll also find information on Edmonds’ other attractions -- including parks, gardens, recreation opportunities and visitor services.
Edmonds’ waterfront is ideal for walking and exploring. Parks along the way include Brackett’s Landing North -- a 27 acre marine sanctuary and underwater park -- and Brackett’s Park South. Here, you’ll find historic plaques, native landscaping and art.
Olympic Beach is the site of a collection of bronze statues depicting people and sea lions, above the sandy beach. Adjacent to the beach, you’ll find the well-used fishing pier, which is open 24 hours, and a beach ranger station.
The pier gives an excellent view of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains to the west. From here, you can also see the ferry landing at the town of Kingston, on Appletree Cove.
Kingston
Kingston has no problem retaining its small-town flavor. With a population of only 3,000, it is a small town -- but that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do. Visitors will find a vibrant waterfront community that does a thriving business from the ferry traffic passing through town, from Kitsap Peninsula and Edmonds.
Boaters will find the Port of Kingston’s marina to be first-class, and the staff is friendly and accommodating.
Kingston was originally founded as a farming and logging community. Its name dates back to 1878, when a logger by the name of Michael King purchased a homestead on Appletree Cove and built a logging camp along the shore.
As the story goes, a number of unmarried loggers built a row of shanties alongside one of the skid roads. When King shut down his logging operation, the shantytown stayed, and was called “King’s Town.” Eventually, the name was shortened to Kingston.
Today, the bustling community is one of Kitsap County’s fastest-growing areas, serving as both a gateway to the Olympic Peninsula and an economic center for the north end of Kitsap Peninsula.
Getting There
The highly visible Washington State Ferry dock on Appletree Cove, at the foot of Kingston, makes the marina next door easy to find. Use NOAA Chart 18446 to make navigation even easier.
Leading southwest from the ferry dock is a long riprap breakwater that almost encircles the Port of Kingston marina. Enter the marina around the end of the breakwater. Leave the two pilings marking the dredged channel to port.
The visitors’ dock parallels the breakwater. Find an empty slip, tie up and then head to the harbormaster’s office to check in.
A recent 70 foot extension to the dock has increased the total number of visitors’ slips to 50. The maximum size vessel that can be accommodated is 50 feet. To check on whether moorage is available, call (360) 297-3545.
The modern docks are open all year and offer 30 and 50 amp power and water hookups. Nearby, you’ll find restrooms, showers and a laundry -- plus, pumpout and portable toilet dump stations. A fuel station is located at the shore end of the visitors’ dock.
The marina has a 4 ton boat hoist, and there’s a two-lane launch ramp with ample parking for trailerboaters.
When in Kingston
Try to spend a Saturday in Kingston, so you can visit the popular Kingston Farmers’ Market at Mike Wallace Marina Park, fronting the marina. You’ll find fresh fruit and vegetables, tempting baked goods, honey, locally made jams, arts and crafts items, music and lots of fun stuff for the kids in the crew.
Farther up the street, you’ll see a row of restaurants and taverns, espresso and ice cream shops, and a well-stocked marine supply and fishing tackle store: Kingston Nautical Supply. Walk two more blocks, and you’ll find the Kingston Thriftway grocery store, where you can provision -- and take advantage of the free shuttle service back to the marina.
Visiting boaters often enjoy hopping on the ferry in Kingston and riding to Edmonds, to take in a movie. Not only is it fun, but it also gives you a taste of what life is like for the locals who live on the water in picturesque central Puget Sound.
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This article first appeared in the August 1, 2001 issue of Sea Magazine. All or parts of the information contained in this article might be outdated. |
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