It's just a matter of fact.

If you live in the Puget Sound region, you're going to be in, on or around the area's waters quite a bit. Whether it's falling from the sky in the form of rain, underneath bridges (Washington is home to four of the five longest floating bridges in the world) you're driving on or what you're gliding along on top of to get somewhere, water touches a majority of lives in the Pacific Northwest.

For those new to the area, there are many ways to get in touch with one of the state's most valuable resources and object of affection.

Take a ride on a ferry

Washington has the largest ferry system in the nation, with terminals reaching from Tacoma all the way to Anacortes. Ferries link the Kitsap Peninsula and the San Juan Islands to the North and South Puget Sound, transporting cars and people to their jobs every day.

Whether it's a short trip from Tacoma's Point Defiance Marina to Vashon Island or a longer sightseeing trip from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands (Lopez, Shaw, Friday Harbor and Orcas), a trip can offer great views of the Puget Sound plus the chance to take your car to an island to explore.

For a complete schedule of all the ferries in the Washington State Ferry System, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/.

Take a boat tour

Argosy Cruise Line's two-hour Locks Tour connects the salt water of Puget Sound and the fresh water of Lake Union via the Hiram Chittenden Locks. While viewing the historic waterfront, customers can listen to a live narration of Seattle's history. The tour winds through waterways showcasing the city skyline one of the world's largest shipping terminals, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges and the "Sleepless in Seattle" houseboat community. Snacks and beverages are also available for purchase on board. Argosy also offers a two-hour tour that covers both Lake Union and Lake Washington. The cruise departs out of Pier 56 in Seattle. For more information, visit www.argosycruises.com.

Rent a boat and venture out

While the summer months are ideal for renting boats, canoes and kayaks, fall is more about for venturing out on a fishing boat and relaxing.

Tacoma's Point Defiance Marina offers boat and motor rentals, as customers can go fishing or cruise the waters of the Puget Sound for a couple of hours or the entire day. Fishing poles and crab pots are also available for rent. During the peak season (May to Sept. 30) rentals run $65 for three hours or daily for $100, while the boat only is $40 per day. During the off-season (October to April 30) daily rentals run $60 daily and $25 for the boat only.

Mineral Lake Resort, at the base of Mount Rainier, also offers a host of amenities. Dock fishing is popular, and there are both rowboats and pontoon boats available for rental.

The pontoon boats will carry a group of family and friends. Offut Lake, located 15 minutes southeast of Olympia in Thurston County is also a good year-round fishing spot. The 197-acre spring fed lake features an abundance of rainbow trout, bass, perch and bluegill.