Okay, so today I decided to tackle something I’ve been putting off: a proper “rant and rave” about Friday Harbor. I’ve visited a bunch of times, and it’s always a mixed bag, you know? So I thought, let’s get it all out there.
First, I grabbed my notebook and a big cup of coffee. Gotta have fuel for this kind of operation. I started by just brainstorming – literally writing down every single thing that popped into my head about Friday Harbor, good and bad.
The Good Stuff (Raves)
- The ferry ride over. Seriously, that view never gets old. The water, the islands, sometimes you even see whales!
- The small-town vibe. It’s just… cozy. Everyone seems to know everyone, and it’s a nice change of pace.
- The food. Okay, not all the food, but there are some real gems. The seafood is obviously amazing, and I always find a good bakery.
- That feeling of being a world away, which I feel is relaxing.
I jotted down notes about specific places I loved – that little ice cream shop near the docks, the bookstore with the comfy chairs, the park with the amazing view of the harbor.
The Not-So-Good Stuff (Rants)
- The crowds. Ugh, especially in the summer. It can feel like you’re swimming in a sea of tourists.
- The prices. Everything is just… more expensive. Like, way more expensive.
- Some of the shops are kinda… tourist-trappy. You know, the ones selling the same generic souvenirs you can find anywhere.
- Parking is always a struggle.
I made sure to be specific here too. I wrote about that one restaurant with the terrible service, the time I got stuck waiting for the ferry for hours, the overpriced coffee that tasted like dishwater.
After I had my two lists, I started organizing. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just a random jumble of thoughts. I grouped things together – all the food-related stuff, all the atmosphere-related stuff, etc.
Then, the real work began. I started writing, trying to turn my messy notes into something that actually made sense. I wanted to capture the feeling of being there, both the good and the bad. I used lots of descriptive words, like “bustling,” “charming,” “overpriced,” “frustrating.”
I read it over a few times, making tweaks here and there. I wanted it to be honest, but also fair. It’s not all sunshine and roses, but it’s not all doom and gloom either.
Finally, I felt like it was done. It’s not perfect, but it’s a pretty good representation of my mixed feelings about Friday Harbor. It’s a place I love to hate, and hate to love, all at the same time.
