Legends of Vashon
By Cynthia Sadurni
Every time I board a ferry, I always scan the horizon, enjoying the sea breeze and the salty, clean smell of the water. I never tire of the natural beauty that surrounds us. No matter how many times I sail the waters of Puget Sound, wonders abound. There is always the hope of spotting a pod of orcas, or maybe an absent-minded porpoise straying into the ship canal, or perhaps a whale, chasing breakfast.
One fine morning, on the crossing from Fauntleroy to Vashon, gazing across the waters at Mount Rainier and drawing close to our destination, I was doing just that, but this morning the only beasties around were a few seagulls and the occasional cormorant. Suddenly, I caught a glimmer on the waves and spotted something unexpected.
Could it be? Horse head, sinewy body, long and elegant neck … Yes! There, basking in the sun, one of the mythical, most elusive denizens of the deep that dwell in our waters: A sea serpent! Finally, after a long period marked by absence there it was, breaching the surface and riding the waves with ease and grace. Here be dragons, my friends!
Or… it could just be a trick of the light and mist that transformed a bobbing piece of driftwood into a creature of legend. I don’t know about you, but personally, I would much rather believe in magic.
If you are interested in knowing more about local legends concerning sea monsters, I invite you to look into sightings of Caddy or Cadborosauros, the sea serpent of Cadboro Bay, British Columbia, and Sisiutl, found in the oran traditions of the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest.
