A walk to our construction site ends in seeing orca whales in the water in front of the house.
Category Archive: Orcas Island
A Dispatch from the Covid Quarantine 🦠
In the spring of 2020, we were quarantined because of Covid-19. This was our experience early in the pandemic.
In an Instant, She Was Gone 🌲🦮🌲
On a windy afternoon, our dog disappeared into the woods hunting for deer. This is what happened and how it felt.
Ready for Rain Year in Review 🗓
Ready for Rain at one year. A review of the events in 2019, as shared in the newsletter.
A Return to Herb’s 🚢🎒🚢
Sometimes the reality of living on an island taking ferries becomes very real. This is one of those times.
The House Project in Pictures 📷
A look at a home construction project on Orcas Island, WA as the framing is being built.
Crabbing in the Salish Sea 🦀
One of our favorite hobbies since moving to Orcas Island is crabbing for Dungeness Crabs in the summer. This is how it works for us.
The History of Concrete and Our House Foundation 🏡
As the foundation was poured on the new house, I learned about concrete in construction and the history of lime production in the San Juan Islands.
Getting the House Out of the Ground 👷🏻♂️👷🏻♂️🏡
The first big phase of the house building project was the foundation and starting then, the house took on a realistic form and shape.
Your Questions About The House Project, Answered ⬇️
A few notes on the house project and our plans, as is was coming together in 2019.
Everything is Temporary in the Guesthouse 🏡
Moving to a small guesthouse took some getting-used-to. But over time it became home and we learned a number of ways to adjust.
Geology and Site Work on Orcas Island ⚒🗻
The post below was sent as an issue of my newsletter, Ready for Rain. I’ve planted trees like Japanese maples and fast-growing conifers at every house I’ve owned. I think of them as semi-permanent fixtures that slowly improve the property and provide shade, privacy,...
Seafaring with Our Boat, “Short Story” 🌊🛥
Our lives changed for the better when we bought a used Boston Whaler that allowed us to explore the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands.
Removing and Using Big Trees 🌲🔥
To make room for the new house, big trees had to be removed and I was sad to see them go but found ways to use them.
The Demolition of the Yurt-Shaped House ⚒
The demolition of the yurt-shaped house did not disappoint. Within days it was gone and the construction could begin.
Why Orcas Island? Why now? 🌲🛥🦀
When we decided to leave Seattle and move to Orcas Island, it made sense to us, but people always asked why. This is my explanation.
Changing Course in House Planning ➡️
When we saw the construction estimate, we knew we had to change course and small changes weren’t enough. This was the path we took.
The Grinch on the Hill 😡👉
You might assume that living on an island creates a sense of community and that’s true for most people. We found one that wasn’t feeling it.
Finding The Builder 👷🏻♂️
Finding a builder on Orcas Island can be a challenge. In the end, we made it happen the old fashioned way: by showing up.
Getting the Construction Project Started ✅
In the summer of 2019, the biggest project of our lives commenced. We had everything in place to build a custom home on Orcas Island.