Tag Archives: San Juan Islands

by | July 21, 2012 · 11:53 pm

Boat Rides and Mooring Buoys

Posted by Teri

I love my job. I get to visit beautiful sites around Orcas Island — some of them from the water!

Today I was working on permitting a mooring buoy for my clients who own an island getaway in Eastsound. An eelgrass survey is required for submittal to all the state and federal agencies.

Chris Betcher at Jen Jay Diving

Kurt Schwalbe helps Chris Betcher of Jen Jay Diving prepare for eelgrass survey

On these projects, I call on Chris Betcher at Jen Jay Diving in Deer Harbor. Chris and his wife Tracy are the best to work with. Their depth of knowledge, relationships with state and federal agencies and professionalism is respected and held in high regard by all who have the opportunity to work with them.

I always learn something as well.

Eelgrass survey on Orcas Island

Kurt keeps watch while Chris dives

Eelgrass surveys and mooring buoy installations can only be performed at certain times of the year. The window is June 1-October 1 for surveys, July 15- Jan 15 for installation.

Jen Jay Diving Boat on Orcas Island

Jen Jay diving boat is well equipped

Chris Betcher of Jen Jay Diving examines mooring buoy on Orcas Island

Chris examines mooring buoy

The boat met me at the County public dock in Eastsound and we headed south to the site. On their way to Eastsound to pick me up, Chris and his sidekick on the boat, Kurt  Schwalbe saw something big swimming in the area larger than a seal. I had my eyes peeled for a whale even though it is highly unlikely one would venture this far into Eastsound Bay.  Just so you know, nothing surfaced. BUT the sun was out and the water was calm — it was a perfect day.

The boat is equipped with all the gadgets one would need to locate a property, mark GPS coordinates, find the depth and know the tides. In addition to the tools, lines, buckets, dive gear, binoculars, charts and floats, there is a comradery and communication that comes with confidence and years of working together.

First, the topo of the seabed is considered to find a level area and a depth is needed for the type of boat to be moored. Then we view the water from the boat looking for signs of eelgrass (Zostera marina). Once we have a location, a temporary float is set into the water to mark our spot. Chris then begins to put his gear on, with help from Kurt.

Chris swims a radius of 25 feet plus the length of the boat. He uses two measuring tapes to create his underwater grid. This day, the water was clear and visibility was out to 75 feet. Chris recounts his underwater findings to Kurt, who takes notes, and they promise to turn over the report in two weeks.

When the eelgrass survey is complete, I submit the mooring buoy permit application to San Juan County, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It sometimes takes as long as six months for all the agencies to approve this type of permit — all the more reason to make sure the permit is filed correctly so there are no delays.

Once I have the permit in hand, I’ll call Chris back for installation of the buoy. My clients’ island getaway will have a convenient spot to moor their boat, and I’ve helped another client sail through the permit process, enjoying it all the way.

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty – we’ll help you find your way home.

 

 

Comments Off on Boat Rides and Mooring Buoys

Filed under Boating, Community, Nature

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | July 5, 2012 · 4:04 pm

Summer Is Here!

Posted by Sandi

It’s official – our dreamy summer island weather has arrived. While much of the country is sweltering in  high 90’s and 100+ degree weather, we’re enjoying our trademark cool sunny days with 60-ish percent humidity. And with 16-hours of daylight we’ve got plenty of time to soak up our Vitamin D while enjoying our favorite outdoor activities.

This is the first time in quite a few years that Bob and I have celebrated the Fourth on Orcas — usually we head over to Lopez to see their amazing fireworks. I was under the weather yesterday and we didn’t make it to the Eastsound Fireworks display, but the festivities aren’t over yet: this Saturday is the Community Parade along with a host of other activities. Add a bountiful farmer’s market and a bokoo of sunshine and I see a perfect weekend ahead!

Two weeks ago the clouds over our  Solstice Parade made it hard to believe summer was just around the corner. Dark skies didn’t dampen spirits though.

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

Comments Off on Summer Is Here!

Filed under Community

Tagged as , , ,

by | June 14, 2012 · 8:46 am

Prawns and Fettuccini

Posted by Teri

This is soooo easy, fresh and light. A dish that is just right for a summer casual patio dinner. I pulled the recipe out of a magazine (Rachel Ray’s, Whole Living, Light Cooking or Martha) Not sure which one. I have since lost the recipe so I create by memory… that’s my style. I do not like to follow directions.

Serves two people with a little left for Jay’s next day lunch.

Peel a hand full (10) prawns, set aside.

Local prawns

Local prawns

½ package of fettuccini. Place pasta in boiling pot of water while you make sauce below. Cook fettuccini to al dente. I have used many styles, rice, whole wheat, egg noodle. Any style you choose will be great with this light sauce.

Add 2 tbsp. of olive oil to a skillet (I have the biggest collect of cast iron skillets in San Juan County!)

Add chopped or grated garlic and sauté, careful not to burn.

Add ½ c. white wine and bring to a simmer.

Turn heat to low, add ½ c. Crème Fraiche and mix well. I have added more if my noodles seemed too much and needing more love.

Add 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice.

Add prawns and cook 2-3 minutes, just until they turn pink.

Add cook pasta and toss. Salt and pepper to taste.

Light, fresh sauce adds just the right touch to local seafood

Light, fresh sauce adds just the right touch to local seafood

Serve in bowls with freshly grated parmesan cheese, a hint of grated lemon peel and chopped chives.

I serve this with a side green salad. Top with a splash of color with sliced green grapes and strawberries.

Crudités are a great side as well

I recommend serving around a fire on the patio with a great bottle of wine-bonus= ROMANCE!!

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island? Contact T Williams Realty – we’ll help you find your way home.

 

1 Comment

Filed under Recipes

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

by | May 25, 2012 · 3:57 am

Spotlight on the Starflower

Posted by Sandi

Spring arrived early this year and the calendar is turning quickly. It seems like every time I look around, there’s something new blooming in my native plant garden. Mother Nature has expertly planned a succession of blooms so there’s never a moment without color or interest. Just when I’m lamenting the loss of the beautiful calypso orchids…

Broadleaf Starflower

Broadleaf Starflower on Orcas Island…the Broadleaf Starflower steps up to center stage. Her delicate green leaves begin emerging in early spring as she creeps quietly along shady paths, playing the supporting role. Then suddenly she erupts with a sea of pale pink stars that last through June. All with zero effort on my part.

Broadleaf Starflower on Orcas Island

The effect at dusk or on a moonlit night is magical!

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

6 Comments

Filed under Gardening, Nature

Tagged as , , , , ,

by | April 21, 2012 · 6:35 pm

Just Recycle It!

Posted by Teri

Happy Earth Day Eve everyone!  Recycle It

I was reading my Whole Living magazine this morning (in the hot tub!) and came across a bit in recycling that caught my eye. With San Juan County looking to privatize our Solid Waste collection  and the future of our community recycling program uncertain, we all need to take responsibility in making sure our recyclables don’t become trash. Here’s a handy chart to find out where to take your recyclables and what products they actually become:

Material Where it Should Go What it Becomes
 #5 Polypropylene Plastic Check www.preserveproducts.com  Toothbrushes, razors, tableware, cutting boards
 #4 Low Density Plastic Bag check  www.recycle.org  Bike racks, eco-friendly lumber, reusable shopping bags
 #3 Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic PVC check  www.earth911.com Vinyl flooring, siding and piping
CDs, DVD’s and their cases  Check www.cdrecyclingcenter.org Office equipment, streetlights and auto parts
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs IKEA, Home Depot and Local Hardware Stores New fluorescent light bulbs
Printer Cartridges Printer Manufacture’s mail back, Office Depot New printer cartridges



Comments Off on Just Recycle It!

Filed under Community

Tagged as , ,

Aside

Sweet Honey 

I have never thought about finding a honey comb in our local woods. Well now I am thinking and looking.

Image

Found Honey Comb

Jay was at the local neighborhood “club house” and saw a honey comb sitting on the counter. One of the guys had found it out in the woods and brought it in.Just another show and tell at the end of the day where a few beers are enjoyed and stories of the day’s goings on echo around the room. But, nobody was getting too excited about the bee’s work.

Jay can’t think of anything going to waste, and more importantly, he is always looking for a “find” to gift his bride-me!

The honey comb came home and placed in a plastic freezer bag, small hole cut in the corner and the project was hung by the wood stove with great hope of something sticky and sweet. I was feeling a bit like Winnie the Pooh!!

Thoughts of Winnie the Pooh in my head

Thoughts of Winnie the Pooh in my head

We are now enjoying the sweetest of treats and dreaming of more edible finds in the woods.A great website for honey: www.honey.com

Honey-Lemon Jelly

Makes 2 pints

  • 5 to 6      lemons
  • 2-1/2 cups      honey
  • 1 package (3      oz.) liquid pectin

Grate rind from lemons to measure 4 teaspoons; set aside. Squeeze juice from lemons to measure 3/4 cup pour lemon juice through fine strainer, discarding seeds and pulp. Combine rind, juice and honey in 6-quart saucepan, stirring well. Bring mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Quickly stir in pectin. Return mixture to a rolling boil, and boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove from heat; skim off foam with metal spoon, if necessary. Pour jelly quickly into 2 hot, sterilized pint jars, filling to 1/4 inch from tops; wipe jar rims. Cover immediately with metal lids and screw on bands. Process
jars in boiling water bath for 5 minutes. Cool jars on wire rack.©1997 Southern Living, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

Tip: A 12 ounce jar of honey equals 1 standard measuring cup.

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island? Contact T Williams Realty – we’ll help you find your way home.

3 Comments

by | April 15, 2012 · 11:00 am
by | March 3, 2012 · 3:04 pm

Tap Into Your Inner Child: Build a Fairy House!

Posted by Sandi

Recently while showing property I happened across a neat surprise: a fairy house built on an old stump at the end of someone’s driveway. Instant enchantment! I went back to take pictures when I had more time. I just love it and am starting to look at stumps around my property a bit differently. Let me know what you think!

Fairy House on Orcas Island

The most important feature of a fairy house is the door. This one has a roof overhang above, garnished with a bird's nest.

Entrance to the Fairy House

Closer inspection revealed that the fairy house was already inhabited. Look at the the cute candle above the bench!

Chimney detail on the fairy house

Around back I found a stacked stone chimney. Cool!

Back of the Fairy House

And then I found another surprise - a second bird's nest! Someone really had fun with this.

There are many fairy house enthusists – and not all are children. You’ll find books, websites and even YouTube videos on building fairyhouses. All you really need, though is an imagination and desire to have fun outdoors. So go ahead – release your inner child!

And if this inspires you to make one, send me your pictures and I’ll include in a future post!

 

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

6 Comments

Filed under Arts & Crafts, Community, Nature

Tagged as , ,

by | February 18, 2012 · 12:27 pm

Lunch at Goat Leap Treehouse

Posted by Sandi

Susan Scott at her treehouse on Orcas Island

Susan and friends

For Valentine’s Day my friend Susan treated me to lunch at her treehouse on the east side of Orcas Island. Susan is no ordinary person, nor does she serve an ordinary lunch (green curry something-or-other and a fresh mango salad), so why would she have anything other than an extraordinary house?

When you arrive at Goat Leap and cross the bridge to her treehouse, you’re transported to a magical, playful world: An artful assemblage of funky materials – galvanized metal, homosote walls, reclaimed finds – wide plank flooring, old doors, rustic cabinet fronts, amidst bark-on timbers, cozy furnishings and colorful art. A kaleidoscope of fun, anchored in good design. Kudos to the architect – Mira Jean Steinbrecher, Susan and her design friends (including Pam at Red Ticking) for pulling it all together.

Although the treehouse has been featured in a magazine, this is not a pretentious showplace. Rather it’s a kick your shoes off, uncork another bottle and enjoy lap dances from her three pooches – Hamish, Tallulah and Dobby. It’s one of those places where everything is just so, and nothing is. A space that soothes the soul and makes your heart sing. Enjoy the tour, and thank you Susan! [slideshow]

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty  – we’ll help you find your way home.

11 Comments

Filed under Community

Tagged as , , ,

by | February 10, 2012 · 11:07 am

SEEDS

Posted by Teri 

Third Annual Heritage Seed and Plant Exchange

Feb. 2012 Westsound Seed Exchange. Includes anyone with extra seeds/plants/bulbs/tubers to share; anyone who wants to come and learn about seed saving and wants to acquire seeds and knowledge; anyone with knowledge or interest in seed saving.

Westsound Yacht Club 2012 Seed Exchange

The set-up: the Westsound Yacht Club was filled with tables covered with packets and jars of seeds. There were few rules explained at the beginning of the event. I believe “no elbowing thy neighbor” was one unspoken rule.  Was just thinking I may need to do this due to the way people were hovering over the tables they were going to work over first. It ended up very civilized and all went home with all the seeds they can manage for this season. Two rules: take only the amount of seeds you need for the coming grow season, and bring back seeds to share and exchange next year.

The tables were arranged by ease of growing. Seeds for beginners: radishes, pole beans and kale. Seeds for green thumbs: tomatoes, carrots and corn. I collected from all tables and collected several local seeds- Doe Bay Resort Garden, Bond Brothers Garden, Orcas Parsnips-5thgeneration.

Jars of Local Seeds

This event was sponsored by Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and Seed Saver Exchange. Excess seeds are donated to the school’s garden and the food bank.

Another local group supporting “grow your own food” – Food Masters. Contact Lerner Limbach 376-4048 or foodmasters.orcas@gmail.com and find out how to order organic spuds. I just ordered 25 lbs. !!

Your will find me in my garden dreaming and planning this year’s harvest.

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island? Contact T Williams Realty – we’ll help you find your way home.

Comments Off on SEEDS

Filed under Gardening, Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , ,

by | February 6, 2012 · 1:55 pm

Kudos to our Power Company

Posted by Teri

Thank you OPALCO for always being there. Rain, sleet or snow our linemen are out making sure we stay safe, warm and see the light!

Old OPALCO truck door on Orcas Island

Old OPALCO truck door on Orcas Island

Outages here in the islands are not always because we live on an “island” but can be caused by mainland accidents or downed trees in areas that feed the underwater cables that are the power source for the islands.

Snow storms are not common but can also cause an outage. January’s ice and snow storm had the lower mainland in pretty bad shape with 100,000 plus residences facing outages, leaving people stranded in the cold without heat. Orcas saw two power outages that were relatively easy and quick to fix. Our lineman crew is the best, comprised of local boys who have been here most of their lives. They are experienced in being the person sitting in the dark wondering what caused the lights to go out, and asking “should we be cranking up the generator”? And they know most of these community members left in the dark!!  These guys have back up from OPALCO office crew who are working just as hard making sure the crew has hot coffee and food should the weather remain a hazard and it look like it will be an all night date.

Orcas Island Snow Fall 2012

Orcas Island Snow Fall 2012

Personally, I look forward to outages. I get an opportunity to just sit in front of the fire with a good book, put a pot of soup on the wood stove, find the candles and hunker down.   This time, it was the snow that helped put me in the rocking chair instead of a power outage. Islanders are just equipped and look forward to anything Mother Nature throws at us.

Check out OPALCO website http://www.opalco.com   to learn more about our members owned co-op and learn about the many programs that benefit its members.

Looking to enjoy the simple life on beautiful Orcas Island?
Contact T Williams Realty – we’ll help you find your way home.

Comments Off on Kudos to our Power Company

Filed under Community

Tagged as , ,