“A whisper of ancient spirits lingers here,” I begin, gesturing towards Foster Island. Foster Island isn’t just a patch of green in Union Bay. It holds a secret history, a story etched into the very land beneath our feet. Before bridges and boardwalks connected it to Seattle, Foster Island was known as Stitici, “little island,” to the Duwamish people. It served as a sacred burial ground. Imagine, instead of joggers and kayakers, this place resonated with ancient rituals. The Duwamish didn’t bury their dead in the earth. They placed them in boxes, nestled high in the branches of trees. Sometimes, the deceased were even placed within a canoe before being raised into the canopy. Can you picture that? The wind whispering through the trees, carrying the spirits of the departed. Foster Island, bisected now by State Route 520, feels the pulse of modern life. Yet, remnants of Stitici remain, woven into the fabric of the island. The earth itself holds the memories. As you walk the trails connecting Foster Island to Marsh Island and the mainland, remember the history beneath your feet. The land holds echoes of the Duwamish traditions. It’s a poignant reminder of a time before Seattle’s skyscrapers touched the sky, when Foster Island was a sanctuary for the departed, a place where spirits mingled with the rustling leaves.
Queen Anne Boulevard
“A scenic loop,” they called it. Queen Anne Boulevard gracefully winds around the crest of Queen Anne Hill. It offers