a 360

The Alaska gay rights email group I belong to sent along a USA Today article by Paul Beaudet and David Wertheimer, two men who live in Washington, on one of the San Juan Islands. They say: "As we returned from Sooke [in Canada, where the two were legally wed] and passed through U.S. Customs, an agent questioned us about the nature of our business in Canada. When we told him that we'd gotten married, he broke into a smile and said, "Hey, congratulations, guys!" with surprising sincerity.

As we headed toward our San Juan Islands home, the ferry suddenly made a full circle in the middle of the channel that separates us from the mainland, then continued on its usual way. We were both confused. Moments later, the ferry crew knocked at our window, announcing: 'It's an island tradition to give every newlywed couple a 360. Congratulations!'"

How very sweet!

I like this story partly because Kent and I rode the San Juan Islands ferry in September 2001. We went to the Islands for a kayak expedition. We were in Seattle on Sept 11, planning to leave by float plane that morning for the islands. The flight was canceled but we were able to rent a van. Kent drove with the radio blasting news and speculation about the terrorist attacks. When we got to San Juan Island and called the expedition company there was some doubt whether enough of the people who'd booked the tour could show up to make it viable. Kent & I thought we could spend a few days van camping and ferrying about if the kayak thing didn't happen. Happy it did as it was wonderful spending the nights out under quiet stars, free of the relentless chatter about hijackings and smoke from the rubble. Strange to see such a quiet sky, no lights from planes passing overhead.

On the ferry ride back we saw a minke whale breaching. I saw it leap once, twice, then realized it might possibly repeat, called Kent. The ship's captain even made an announcement and the whale obliged with a couple more silvery leaps. Small as a minnow at that distance but easy to see it was a big animal.