Working on the Sounder is a pleasant experience. Sue Frause photo.

I had several appointments in Seattle on Tuesday, so decided to take the Sounder from Mukilteo into the city. As with my debut trip into town several weeks ago, I'd return home with Farmer Bob and his carpool.

Unlike that first trip, I was running a bit late, and missed Island Transit from Langley to the ferry dock. So I drove down to Patty's Parking. Sorry, Brad -- but I was worried that Robertson's Landing was full, and since I was cutting it so close, I didn't have time to check it out.

At any rate, I paid my three bucks to Patty and hustled down the steps with the other commuters. The ferry ride was uneventful. The only thing of note is I didn't recognize one person on board. That's a far cry from when I started commuting back in '75 and we had our little clusters of friends aboard the Kulshan and Rhododendron.

Those days are long gone.

We docked around 7:15 AM and the cattle made their way up the ramp and off to their various destinations. I put it into speed walk mode, as the Sounder leaves from Mukilteo at 7:23 AM. You do the math. That's only eight minutes and the trek is longer than you think.

As with my first trip, the station agent said there was no time to buy the ticket, since the train was arriving. And no, it doesn't wait. Just ask all those left trainless the other morning when the Washington State Ferries opted to perform their sea trials during a prime commuter run. By the time the boat docked, the last train of the morning had left for Seattle, and the riders were left without a way into work.

But back to the train. This time I sat on the upper level, which is much quieter with less clickety-clack. The water side seats were all taken, and there were about 18 of us in the Sounder's version of the Vista Dome.

At 7:29 we passed a freight train, and I spotted remains of a huge old boat on the beach to my right. Whidbey's Possession Point was shrouded in mist in the distance.

Funky little shacks lined the beach on the left, along with A-frames and trailers. Next came a house with lots of glass and decks and at 7:31 the train let out a big whistle.

There's no shortage of blackberries along the route as the funny homes slowly morph into faux Mediterranean villas and big buck McMansions. Around 7:37 we arrived in Edmonds, where 100 or so people clambered aboard.

A passenger put some "precious cargo" in the seat next to her: a key lime pie and German chocolate cake from QFC that she was taking to work.

I chatted with her the rest of the way, as we passed Golden Gardens, Shilshole Bay and sliced through the Olympic Sculpture Park. I like entering Seattle through the back door.

We arrived at 8:11 AM. I post-purchased my $4 ticket, waved it to the conductor and headed out for my 8:30 appointment in Pioneer Square.

Riding the Sounder is a very cool way to travel. Now, if they can just tweak the schedule so we can make it to the train on time.

Word has it that Sound Transit will be revising the Mukilteo schedule in September. Currently, the trains leave at 6:23, 6:53 and 7:23 AM. There are also plans to add another train. I'll keep you posted.