Sunset Magazine recently listed Eastsound at #1 on the list of America’s 10 Most Charming Small Towns and this blog is going to be our special way of showing you and telling you WHY.

It’s also my aim to tell you how to make your Orcas Island transition as smooth as possible. Unless you know someone who lives here, someone who can show you the best coffee houses and restaurants and areas best suited for that dream vacation home, it can be a bit overwhelming.

In addition, I’m going to do a series of FAQs all about Orcas Island living and building. I’ll keep you updated on Rick Egger & Associates General Contractor’s new projects, showing you some of the incredible work we’re doing on homes like Klakakamish, Geer, BlueJay, and the Livesey Garage.

If you’re from the mainland, you probably have a hundred questions…here’s our first in the series!

Orcas Island

WHY LIVE ON ORCAS ISLAND?

When I first arrived on Orcas Island I drove right off the boat at Orcas Landing to our temporary housing past Doe Bay. Doe Bay represents the eastern-most end of Orcas Island and a good 45 minute drive from the ferry landing. Especially at that time, August of 1989, you could drive the main road, Horseshoe Highway, and see very few signs of life. Most of the homes were hidden behind tall trees and tucked in around the rocky irregular coastline of the island. My first impression therefore, was that Orcas was a beautiful place, but there didn’t appear to be much going on. To compound that, we stayed on Horseshoe Highway the entire way, driving completely around the beautiful village of Eastsound, which for all intents and purposes was completely nonexistent to me. Despite the beauty, with every mile we drove, my emotions rose higher and higher in my throat. Was there anything to do here? Was it all grass and trees and water? The drive continued; more tall trees, an occasional meadow, periodic hints that we were surrounded by water. Soon, the pavement ended and a gravel road began in its place with a yellow sign at the roads edge announcing, “Road Narrows”. The tears started to flow. It felt like I was driving to the edge of the earth. We drove on. Soon we were greeted by another yellow sign with the now familiar warning, “Road Narrows”. This time the response was tears and laughter. It was almost ridiculous; where in the world were we going and how narrow would this road get before we arrived at our destination?

I tell that story to illustrate what makes Orcas Island appealing as a place to live and raise children. What horrified me as an 18 year old (an uninformed 18 year old) is what draws me to this place as an adult and a mother of two. It is beautiful. Once you think you’ve found the most stunning viewpoint or the most gorgeous meadow scene, you’ll discover another that rivals it. You can find a place to build where you will feel like you’re on the edge of the earth or another that feels wonderfully secluded – but you’re only maybe a ten or fifteen minute drive to town. It’s the perfect combination of things most people are looking for when they move here; beauty, privacy and space, but without being too far from civilization and the conveniences that we all enjoy.

The feeling of privacy & seclusion comes with a perk - security. While Orcas is not totally immune to crime, there are some things you just don’t worry about living here. For example, it’s highly unlikely that someone would steal my children out of my yard or make off with my car. It’s a whole different world out here!