Into the Mystic

Listen while you read:  Lyrics on video

We were borne before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won
As we sailed into the mystic

Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly 
Into the mystic

And when that foghorn blows
I will be coming home
And when that foghorn blows
I want to hear it
I don't have to fear it

And I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
And magnificently we will flow
Into the mystic

~  Van Morrison

Did you know that this song is one of the most popular songs for surgeons to listen to while performing operations? Because of its "cooling, soothing vibe." Well, I don't perform operations, but I do love to listen to this song. It's an oldie, dating back to 1970's Moondance album. I chose it for today's post because we are traveling on our second ferry of the trip, from Anacortes, Washington, to Sidney, Vancouver Island. The route takes us through the San Juan Islands, offering rugged and picturesque vistas and a wealth of wildlife.

Yesterday, after getting our rental car ( a new Ford Fusion Hybrid), we headed south out of Seattle and then looped back up on the other side of the Hood Canal. We drove through the eastern side of Olympic National Park with a view of snow-covered Mt. Baker always in view. The tall pines were majestic, and there were plenty of purple wildflowers to contrast the dark green trees. We stopped at a few scenic overlooks, the most impressive of which was Deception Pass. Our destination was Anacortes, a cool town that I could probably live in. We found a happy hour down by the marina, and dined on "salmon swimmers" and mussels and local ales. An evening drive around Washington Park was peaceful despite the fact that it's the Fourth of July. To top the night off, we watched the fireworks over Fidalgo Bay.

And that was all on our first day. Today, it's into the mystic.