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Going Places: Using Puget Sound As A Bridge, Not A Barrier

Leaving Seattle's waterfront aboard KNKX travel expert Matthew Brumley's boat on a sunny -- and slightly smoky -- Thursday evening in August.
David Dodman
Leaving Seattle's waterfront aboard KNKX travel expert Matthew Brumley's boat on a sunny -- and slightly smoky -- Thursday evening in August.

Editor's note: An earlier version of the audio on this segment misstated the size of the state ferry system. Washington State Ferries is the largest ferry system in the country.

KNKX travel expert Matthew Brumley was on a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island when he heard something from a couple visiting from Kansas.

"Sure is pretty around here," Brumley remembers one of them saying, "but wouldn't want to live here with all of this water."

For them, he says, the water looked like a barrier -- a challenging expanse between places they wanted to visit. For Brumley, it's a connection. A boat or ferry ride can put you in a different city, county, peninsula or island.

"I would say get out and explore all the different islands," Brumley said. "Every single one of them has a different flavor, whether it's Lopez or San Juan or Bainbridge or Whidbey. And I still don't know many of them."

Brumley says he wants to spend more time in the San Juans and the Canadian gulf islands.

Listen to this week's conversation for details on Brumley's favorite islands and water-reached destinations. What are yours? And why? Tell us in the comments below.

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"Going Places" is 88.5's weekly exploration of travel. Our travel expert, Matthew Brumley, is co-founder of Earthbound Expeditions on Bainbridge Island, which provides small group travel to clients including KNKX. Never miss an episode again. Subscribe to Going Places with iTunesGoogle Play or Stitcher.

Ed Ronco is a former KNKX producer and reporter and hosted All Things Considered for seven years.