Friday the 15th It stayed warm all night, the furnace never once came on, so I dressed in shorts and a light shirt. At 9:30 AM I went outside and put the bike rack on the car and loaded the bikes.
Tina took the dogs for a last walk while I pumped up the tires on the bikes, grabbed our helmets, camera, and ferry landing map. Then we set off for Millers Ferry Landing.
After a short drive from the State Park we got to the Ferry and parked about three blocks away. With the bikes down and the rack in the trunk we set off to catch the ferry. Just like to Whidbey, the ferries here run every half hour. We purchased our tickets and after a fifteen minute wait we boarded. It’s a little small, with a boxy barge like appearance but it has a high bay, big enough to hold a dozen cars or four big transport trucks. We laid our bikes on the deck behind the last car and went upstairs to be out of the wind. Twenty minutes later we approached the landing on South Bass Island.
As the ferry docked at the end of the island we walked down to the car deck, put our helmets on and waited for the cars to unload. With the last vehicle pulling onto the dock we got the nod to go ashore. Walking up the hill we passed the ice cream shop and gift shop and mounted up for the ride into town. Since we’re at the top of the island it’s a fairly flat ride as we pass the local airport. About two miles later we reached the small community of “Put-In-Bay”. A really pretty place with lots of restaurants and shops surrounding the town park which fronts on the bay and marina.
We rode along the bay and around town then went out into the residential areas before returning to town for lunch. We ended up eating at a small cantina. Our table was on the deck looking over the marina to one side and out to the “Perry Monument” on the other. Tina had a Pulled Duck Sandwich with cole slaw and fries. I had Fish (Walleye) and Chips. We shared each other’s lunch and it was good! Since we planned to get an ice cream on the way back we passed on desert. 
After lunch we rode over to the Perry Monument commemorating Admiral Perry’s victory over the British in the War of 1812. This is the third highest monument in the National Park system at 335’ tall. We got tickets and rode up to the viewing station at the 317’ level. The monument has a railed deck that runs around the monument with etched maps in the four corners identifying the local islands as well as documenting Perry’s course to battle. We were able to look out over the town and marina seeing many of the places we had ridden our bikes.
By 2:00 PM the clouds were moving in and the temperature was starting to drop so we descended from the heights and rode back to the ferry. There was one docked and just starting to load but we stopped for an ice cream cone figuring to catch the next boat. Unfortunately the ice cream shop wouldn’t be open until tomorrow so we remounted and rode to the bottom of the hill and onto the ferry. We were the last ones on! Heheheh, just like catching the Mukilteo ferry on a Friday afternoon. After leaving the ferry and riding to the car, it was just a short drive back to the coach. As soon as we opened the door the dogs bounded down the steps and as usual when we get back, danced all around Tina, yipping and jumping and being vocal about being glad to see us home. So we took them for a walk and settled in for the rest of the day. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy in the morning and cold later so we’ll plan to do laundry and shopping.
To see all of today’s photos click on the following link:
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