Our Journey back to the Pacific Northwest.

This is just a post to get some pics out there.   The purpose of this blog is create a record of our journey from Colorado back to Washington State.   We've been in Colorado for the last 7 years and have had some amazing experiences here.  We love the weather, the outdoor activities, the scenery, etc.   In our hearts though we always dream of being back in the Pacific Northwest where we spent our twenties and most of our thirties.   We came to the conclusion "Why Wait", as we all know you only live once.

So here it is!!!  The first entry and the start of our trip back.

After weighing our options, we've decided to relocate to Anacortes, Washington.

You may be asking yourself "Why Anacortes?"     We came up with a small town criteria. It had to feel like a small town, not part of some highway sprawl, or connected to other small towns, i.e.  Burlington, Mount Vernon, Sedro Wooley, etc.   Anacortes has it's own identity.

View to the West from Cap Sante Park.

View of Campbell Lake and Whidbey Island from the top of Mount Erie.

Next being close to the water was key.   Anacortes is on an island, so it's surrounded by the stuff, and the island has 8 lakes.

Outdoor Activities was really high on the list.  Anacortes has over 67 miles of trails set aside in the Anacortes Forest Lands.  Great for Mountain Biking and Hiking. Awesome water access for kayaking too, oh and did I mention the Ferry dock is there that goes to the San Juan Islands.

Mount Baker

Being close to a major airport was another concern.  90 minutes to SeaTac or Vancouver airport.  We can still go places easily and have access to two great metropolitan areas.   Close to other amenities too.  Your big box stores, etc are only 20-30 minutes away in Burlington.

Young Madrona trees

After settling that part, we went about trying to find a place to live.  We saw some houses that we thought were doable, but in the end decided we could really get what we want if we built our own house.  So we bought a lot in the Skyline neighborhood and plan to begin construction in 2015.  That is really what this blog is about.  Our journey back, and the construction process of our new home.

Our patch of dirt in Anacortes

Looking South from the top

Here are the before pictures.