OUR FIRST BUILD - BAINBRIDGE ISLAND - 1996
We owned our first house in Portland Oregon in 1992… but in 1995 we were transferred with Peter’s job to Seattle. Since Peter had an aunt and uncle he loved visiting on Bainbridge, we decided to move there for the adventure. We built a house overlooking Rich Passage with a view of Mt Rainier. We would watch the Bremerton ferry pass, listen to the seals bark, and we even got to see the USS Nimitz Aircraft Carrier return to Bremerton. It was a heavenly life, on the weekends! We had nonstop visitors which we loved and which I still miss… but during the week it wasn’t as easy when you needed to to everyday things such as get your car worked on, fly out, or deliver a baby! Derek was born while we lived there, and I indeed did have to wait in line at the ferry in order to make it to the hospital when I was about to deliver a month early! But honestly, I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to live in this special place. We met amazing people and fully embraced the lifestyle. Our favorite activity was a four-hour kayak trip that took us from near our house, around the south side of the island where we could see the Seattle skyline, Mt Ranier, Mt Baker, and all the pretty houses along the shoreline. We’d then paddle into Eagle Harbor and the town of Winslow , where the ferries dock and where we could pull up to the dock at the Pub for a burger and a beer after our paddle. We even got to do this once on the fourth of July where we could watch the Seattle fireworks from our boats. It was a special life for sure!
Hole Sweet Hole - with Vince - Peter's best friend who would become our brother in law!
1998 - with baby Derek
Our first Garden
Our View - Mt Rainier and the Bremerton Ferry
Rich Passage
It never stopped taking our breath away...
Our room
My studio above the garage - doubled as a guest room
We were so worried when we left, that the new owners wouldn't care about the land, and would allow the insidious berry bushes to take over. It took a lot to keep up with the yard... but it was a worthy effort.
Holy Bananas. The new owner went to town on the land. It warms our heart to know how well preserved it will always be as a result. It was invited onto the Bainbridge Island Garden Tour - quite a prestigious event on the island.
It was amazing to see this in 2008 when Derek was ten. He was fond of this home.
I returned again in 2022 and it was a lovely deep blue and owned by a third owner who is friends with my friend. Guess who grew up in Derek's babyhood bedroom???
Bella Jackson! Exactly Evan's age and a fellow CU student. We just made this connection this year. They were in Budapest together this year! And they run into each other often. They had no idea Evan's parent built her house. What are the chances?!?!