Nautical Highways: Ferries of the San Juan Islands

By Robert E. Demar

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0970553838
• ISBN13: 9780970553836
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Turtleback Books
• Length: 72 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Poetic & personal view of the the San Juan Ferry Boats

This book is obviously a labor of love. The photographs are expertly taken presenting many different views of the boats, the crews, the passengers, the places they go to, etc. The text poetically leads you through the book and lets the images speak for themselves. I especially enjoyed this book because of the intimacy of it...a loving couple sharing their talents... their love of photography, poetry, and the San Juan Ferry Island Boats.I would like to mention that I had the good fortune to attend a book signing and slide show for this book presented by the Elliott Bay Bookstore in Seattle, Washington. Robin Atkins is a SUPERB speaker! Her talk was informative, humorous, a real delight and seeing slides of the photographs was a treat.

One of the best places in the Northwest

Illahee, Nisqually, Kaleetan. Hyak, Hiyu, Elwha, Chelan. These are the names of some of the ferries that take people to and between the Pacific Northwest's San Juan Islands. The words evoke an earlier tribal time that can almost be felt while riding on blue-gray salt water between glacier-flattened rocks and evergreen hills. Ferry passengers find themselves grounded to the earth in such a way that water, rock, trees, sky, sun, wind, and rain are no longer backdrops to life, but life itself. Nature dominates awareness, and people respond by visibly relaxing, smiling more, sleeping, meditating, reading, talking with friends, and anticipating adventures to come. Island resident Robert Demar's beautiful black-and-white photographs capture the elusive, magical atmosphere surrounding these north Puget Sound "Nautical Highways". He pictures foot passengers, commuters from Seattle, cycling and motorcycling weekenders, trucks supplying the needs of island life, kids playing on deck, ferry crews tending to business, and curious and hungry seagulls. Aerial shots place the ferries and their graceful, contoured wakes into a larger but still other-worldly context. Robin Atkins' impressionistic commentary provides a verbal tone poem that compliments the mood of Robert's artistry. Together, words and pictures recreate a Northwest ferry experience almost as much fun and restorative as the real thing.

Nautical Highways: Memories of San Juan Ferries

I've been a resident of Puget Sound for 30 years and the San Juan Islands for the past 14 years. Looking at the photos of the ferries and island moments brings so many memories to mind. The people, the fog, the water, the gulls, the boats--as we call them--our transportation to the mainland. Robert has captured the images so well. And, Robin's comments, hykiu like, help support the photos. My mother, who can no longer travel from the East Coast, enjoyed the book very much. She always loved the ferry rides. Once you step onto our ferries and begin the trip into the islands, the busyness of the mainland is left behind. Robert's photos help one to step into island life if only in our memories.