# Moving to WA and the bumpy road taking me there **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 2, 2022, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169 "2022-04-02T23:36:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2022, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/1 "2022-04-02T23:36:00Z")
So its been an interesting couple years. August of 2020 a drunken argument at my maternal grandfathers house resulted in my great uncle shooting and killing my cousins boyfriend. My mother moved from Fresno, CA to take care of him as the 4 others living on the property were: in jail an emotional wreck dead a barely functional alcoholic. My two remaining grandparents both passed last year… I consider myself quite fortunate since many of my friends have long since lost both parents and grandparents have been gone since their teens. Both of them were in their 90s. So, I got some money from one side, and I am inheriting part of my grandfathers house/property on Marrowstone Island in Puget sound from the other grandparent. I still have to do a small buyout of another relative with a partial interest in the property, but I can easily cover it. The money side turned into a bit of a kerfluffle with a trustee trying to manipulate the price of a house in their favor. A few hours of lawyer shut that down promptly. I will be building a shop space on the property and semi retiring. Will probably make a variety of things for craft fairs and farmers markets. Have a bunch of fruit trees, a huge garden area, and enough blackberries to choke a rhino. planning on dropping in a few beehives maybe some chickens. With all of that i should be able to have an assortment of my own fruits and veggies for canning. Jams, jellies, sauces, honey, wine/mead. Shop area will be big enough to handle my many nerdy hobbies, probably around 2K sqft… Will be signing up as a volunteer EMT/firefighter with the local FD for a way to meet some locals and do something useful with my life. I used to be a working EMT in Fresno, CA many moons ago, and I graduated from the local community college fire academy. Firefighting is something I have always wanted to do but never quite made the cut for hiring. Here the bar is a bit lower, but so is the paycheck 😆 So once the dust settles I should be in a vary happy place…two states away from where I have lived since I was a teenager. Dopers in the area…any cool “must see” stuff? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2022, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/2 "2022-04-02T23:58:59Z")
Wow. Drama. (Forgive me, but Fresno is a punchline in this house.) We haven’t been to Marrowstone Island. We live in Birch Bay, and don’t get out much. I’ll be looking in to see others’ recommendations, as it would be nice to get out and about. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/3 "2022-04-03T01:31:25Z")
Fresno is always a punchline… ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/4 "2022-04-03T01:47:50Z")
About 800 people in the entire county, a lighthouse, an abandoned fort and a winery. I don’t know what you might want to do the _second_ week you are there. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/5 "2022-04-03T02:06:33Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > About 800 people in the entire county Nope, Jefferson County has over 30,000. Marrowstone Island has around 800. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/6 "2022-04-03T02:13:39Z")
That sounds utterly blissful to me. (Well, except for the fact that WA has winter weather.) Good luck with the transition; I hope you are indeed very happy. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > About 800 people in the entire county, a lighthouse, an abandoned fort and a winery. > I don’t know what you might want to do the _second_ week you are there. Small towns with a limited number of attractions are not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s cool. But depending on your temperament, it may be fine. I live in a small, quiet community and just love it. Working with a non-profit, being a crazy cat lady, cooking creatively, reading books, talking to people, exercising, enjoying the natural beauty around me, playing music, watching Netflix … it’s enough for me. I don’t miss the buzz of big city life AT ALL. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/7 "2022-04-03T02:46:18Z")
My Linotype and printing press came from a shop on Marrowstone Island. So I can say I’ve been there twice but that’s the extent of it. ETA: that’s not true. I’ve been to Fort Flagler as well, so three visits. The old base is a beautiful area to spend a day. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/8 "2022-04-03T04:31:24Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > That sounds utterly blissful to me. (Well, except for the fact that WA has winter weather.) Good luck with the transition; I hope you are indeed very happy. > > > [@Czarcasm](#): > > > > About 800 people in the entire county, a lighthouse, an abandoned fort and a winery. > > I don’t know what you might want to do the _second_ week you are there. > > Small towns with a limited number of attractions are not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s cool. But depending on your temperament, it may be fine. I live in a small, quiet community and just love it. Working with a non-profit, being a crazy cat lady, cooking creatively, reading books, talking to people, exercising, enjoying the natural beauty around me, playing music, watching Netflix … it’s enough for me. I don’t miss the buzz of big city life AT ALL. I am kinda looking forward to a somewhat slower pace of life I’m figuring the EMS thing will keep my life plenty interesting. I will still be involved in the SCA (society for creative anachronism) Bremerton has a very active group about an hour south of me. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/9 "2022-04-03T04:38:04Z")
You’ll have some peace and quiet, but you’re also close to a lot of cool places… including Seattle (less than two hours away). Much closer are all the other islands in Puget Sound: Orcas island has cool art/pottery galleries, and a tall hill in the center with a lookout tower. You can see most of the other islands from up there. There are always whale-watching trips, and kayaking-with-orcas expeditions. San Juan Island is full of… everything. Friday Harbor is like a full city, albeit a touristy one. And you’re right next to Whidbey Island… great for produce, antiques, and Whidbey Island Liqueur, made from native berries. Yum… Oh, and you’re less than a half hour (add an hour if you want to bike it) from one of my favorite towns, full of quaint bookstores and coffee places and restaurants: Port Townsend. Damn, I’m jealous! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/10 "2022-04-03T06:22:41Z")
> [@digs](#): > > one of my favorite towns, full of quaint bookstores and coffee places and restaurants: Port Townsend. Same here. It’s a great place. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/11 "2022-04-03T07:41:32Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Much closer are all the other islands in Puget Sound: Orcas island has cool art/pottery galleries, and a tall hill in the center with a lookout tower. You can see most of the other islands from up there. There are always whale-watching trips, and kayaking-with-orcas expeditions. Once Canada is easier, the Gulf Islands are also lovely. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/12 "2022-04-03T22:23:26Z")
> [@digs](#): > > You’ll have some peace and quiet, but you’re also close to a lot of cool places… including Seattle (less than two hours away). Agreed, we live in the general area, and love it. Port Hadlock is the closet community to your island. Some stores and restaurants. Check out the Old Alcohol Plant > **[Boutique Hotel | Old Alcohol Plant Inn | Port Hadlock](https://www.oldalcoholplant.com/)** > > Old Alcohol Plant is a historic boutique hotel (constructed in 1910), restaurant, art gallery and intimate event venue with beautiful views overlooking Townsend Bay. We are happy to offer daily stays, weekly stays and extended stays. Book your stay... Ajax Cafe is a good place to eat. [https://www.ajaxcafe.com/](https://www.ajaxcafe.com/) The Dungeness Spit is a great way to spend a day hiking on the beach. > **[Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge - Dungeness Spit](https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/dungeness-national-wildlife-refuge)** > > This narrow strip of land just east of Port Angeles in the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a gorgeous place to explore miles upon miles of sandy beach, spy shorebirds wheeling, and even get a little shot of greenery at the beginning and end of your trip.... Welcome to the neighborhood. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/13 "2022-04-03T23:04:16Z")
take vitamin D for, well the entire year. Figure out how to get sun between Oct and Jun. For me, I snowboard from Dec through March, and that keeps me sane. April onwards, tend to set sunbreaks and it’s not too horrible until the rain stops on July 5th ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/14 "2022-04-03T23:14:12Z")
Good advice. Marrowstone Island is in the ‘rain shadow’ at least, so slightly less grim. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/15 "2022-04-03T23:25:53Z")
The area is dryer and colder than most people think. They used to have a fast ferry to Victoria that was awesome. You can catch salmon, halibut, and dungeness crab if you have a boat. In many marinas there might be a wait list for a slip, so even if you don’t plan on it you might want to get on the list. Learn the tides, the protected water in the Puget sound can be done in a smaller boat if you watch the tides and the weather but you still want a backup trolling motor for safety. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2022, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/16 "2022-04-03T23:32:55Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > That sounds utterly blissful to me. (Well, except for the fact that WA has winter weather.) Good luck with the transition; I hope you are indeed very happy. So much this. And you can always go someplace sunny in winter, if only for a bit. May this all work out well for you. It sounds like heaven. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2022, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/17 "2022-04-04T03:11:04Z")
> [@sitchensis](#): > > You can catch salmon, halibut, and dungeness crab if you have a boat. In many marinas there might be a wait list for a slip, so even if you don’t plan on it you might want to get on the list. Learn the tides, the protected water in the Puget sound can be done in a smaller boat if you watch the tides and the weather but you still want a backup trolling motor for safety. There are 7 boats on the property None of them in working order to the best of my knowledge. The only one I am planning on keeping is a 15’ aluminum “boston whaler” style one. Big enough to toodle around the island, go fishing or cart out a couple crab pots, but still small enough to manage solo. The rest I am looking for homes or junkyards that will take them. Several are quite large, grandpa was big into sailing, me not so much. Also 6 dead vehicles Most likely will all be towed off to a junkyard. I have 2 functioning vehicles of my own and I am not interested in taking up car or boat restoration…I have enough expensive hobbies. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2022, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/18 "2022-04-04T03:38:57Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > Figure out how to get sun between Oct and Jun. My Seattle relatives have full-spectrum “Gro-Lights” that they use in the winter. BUT not the people I’ve known who live “in the islands, mon…” [/marley accent] That rain shadow is a godsend. The clouds blowing in from the ocean dump their rain on the Olympic Mountains, then are dry over Puget Sound, raining again when they hit Seattle and the Cascade Mountains. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2022, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/19 "2022-04-05T06:00:35Z")
@digs By rain shadow you mean what is also referred to as the banana belt, no? Crabbing is freaking awesome. I used to go off the pier in Mukulteo or Edmonds a lot when the kiddos were younger. Toss in the pots, go to a playground, check pots, go get ice cream, rinse lather repeat until bored. Usually a couple of dunginess and red rocks to take home. With a boat, once you find a good spot, you should be able to get your limit in an hour. Big ones too! ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169/20 "2022-06-03T23:00:32Z")
Well I have been here for about a month. I love the weather! I have lost seven pounds and I am already feeling in much better shape from a couple hours a day of heavy yard work. Mowing 3’+ high weeds with a brush cutter is a pretty solid workout. Tearing up 8-10’ high blackberry brambles isnt exactly sedentary either. in about 3 weeks I have demolition contractors coming to remove boats, cars, 2 RVs, a 5th wheel. 3 sheds/outbuildings, and a small mountain of general junk. Much of it will get smashed with some flavor of excavators/backhoes/whatever and loaded into dump trucks and or rolloff dumpsters. I plan to post videos of boats smashing on Tiktok. if anyone wants a boat I am not averse to incentivizing their acquisition. Video that shows the major boats. RV. etc. [https://www.tiktok.com/@letsgotosushi/video/7103620278755921194](https://www.tiktok.com/@letsgotosushi/video/7103620278755921194)? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-to-wa-and-the-bumpy-road-taking-me-there/962169.md?page=2)