An Enchanting Journey Across the Salish Sea

By water, the distance from Seattle to Victoria is about 150 miles. Probably no more enchanting body of water, for beauty and variety of scenery, can be found on the American continent. Recently, the writer had occasion to make the trip from Seattle to Victoria. At nine o'clock p.m., the splendid steamer left Seattle, bound for Victoria. Amid the noisy bustle incident to the departure of the steamer, the waving of handkerchiefs, and the hasty exchange of mutual congratulations, the last whistle was shrilly sounded. Lines were cast off, and the steamer moved away. Over the broad expanse of the inland sea hung an opaque cloud of fog. Later, the fog bank lifted, and the pale stars peeped in a half-hesitant way through the misty curtain. Before the gray dawn shone over the distant shores, the steamer had emerged from the narrow confines of the Inlet and was plowing her way across the Straits of Juan de Fuca. As the sun rose, a thin white veil of fog hung above the wide expanse of sea, which was quickly dispelled by the radiant morning beams. To the southeast, Whidbey Island swelled above the cold, purple sea. Northward, the blurred outlines of San Juan and Lopez islands were seen. Just ahead, Vancouver Island rose in plain view. No element was lacking to complete the absolutely perfect picture of blue, purple and golden sea, bright and cloudless sky, near wooded shore, and distant mountain outlines.