Message from Conch Out and Donna

Hi, gang...She surfaces! I have really missed being on this board and knowing everything that's been happening at SoWal these past few months. Most of all, am missing the annual October trek down there and sorry that the wine dinner didn't come to pass as planned. I won't go into all the details for the dramatic change in plans, just suffice it to say that I've missed all of you. There is some very specific news from Wineville, however.

Along with about a thousand other reasons I've been playing hooky, among them work and travel, will just say that there is a new place on Bainbridge Island, WA now. It is a wonderful place fronting onto Eagle Harbor and I am in the market for a little red kayak. Bainbridge Island is a 35-min. ferry ride from downtown Seattle, yet feels peaceful and remote. It has everything a person might want in the way of cultural pursuits and quality lifestyle. Plus, it has the added advantage of being on "left side" of the U.S., so easy to get to. I have been back and forth up there for several months to find just the right place. In addition, project hearings all summer long, so I'm a tired girl. I need and want to retire soon.

Am looking forward to being down there for a week or so over the Christmas/New Year's holiday and hopefully will see some of you then. In the meantime, have a wonderful month of October (my favorite there) and try to air kiss a migrating Monarch's wings for me.

Hello Donna! It's so good to hear from you. I will willingly let you borrow my little red kayak any time you want it. One catch, though. You must come to SoWal to get it. See you at Christmas, dear!

Congratulations on your finding a more accessible nirvana! I hear that Bainbridge Island is beautiful. I'd be looking to live in the Pacific Northwest for a home if I weren't here. We've all missed hearing from you, and I fear that we'll miss seeing you too, now that you've put Conch Out on the market. If I find the buyer, will you come to SoWal for the closing?

The Hobie Mirage is a fun kayak; it has foot pedals and a rudder so you can use either your arms and the paddle or your feet and the pedals to propel it. The kayak is heavier than a traditional one, but makes up for it due to the ease in getting around in the water. Your dealer probably has one that you can demo.

Best of luck to you Donna, stay in touch and we're all looking forward to seeing you in December.

Glad to hear things are well there.

....NOOOOO! Conch Out is for sale? Donna, I am happy for you....but not so much for the rest of us.

Thanks for the update on your Fantasy Island! It sounds wonderful and being closer to home, you will get to enjoy it more often. A red kayak with pedals sounds like perfection! You are missed around here.

Miss your words of wisdom Donna. Happy you found a place closer to home. Hope you can soon enjoy it more and get the rest you sound like you need. Please post pics when you get a chance and tell tell us about the lovely surroundings in true Donna fashion.

We visited Bainbridge Island a couple years ago while in Seattle and loved it!!! I would be willing to personally deliver your little red kayak! I love that area and would live there in a heartbeat. Good luck in your search!

hey there donna! thanks for checking in. your washington harbor place sounds great. pictures??? is this a get away for you, or will you be renting it out? I know someone who does really good virtual tours...

keep us in touch with you and take care!!! PM me your dates for your holiday trip to sowal, pleeeeze.

We'll miss you. Washington Harbor sounds beautiful. Dont hate me for saying this, but personally I prefer the South. It's not out of ignorance -- I've traveled a lot, but the only place that has tempted me to leave the South is Tuscany. I've decided I'd rather be near my roots, our Southern culture (or lack of such :funn: ), and the climate (I-do-not-like-to-be-cold).

Give us a call sometime when you're planning a visit to SoWal, and I'll cook dinner.

Donna, Congrats on your new place. It sounds wonderful. But, please, please don't forget about us and grace us with a good story every now and then....pleeeeeeeeeeeeeze.

....NOOOOO! Conch Out is for sale? Donna, I am happy for you....but not so much for the rest of us.

Huh? Where did she say that?

Huh? Where did she say that?

Post #3. Garner spilled the beans.

Donna, selling out completely or just downsizing for something more cozy?

Post #3. Garner spilled the beans.

Donna, selling out completely or just downsizing for something more cozy?

Ah, there 'tis. I kept rereading Donna's post looking for the hidden clue!

Well, we wondered what happened to you Donna. Like everyone else, I'm happy for you. You have family in this area, though, right? So you'll be back... Hope life is good all around.

Ha ha - you shouldn't have told us about your new place. There may be a mass vacation exodus to Washington State. Kurt may have to start a board for Bainbridge Island!

But you better be in SoWal for the holidays! We are counting on it!

Yes, Conch Out is on the market as of October 1. For those of you who are looking forward to staying there, I cannot imagine that a new owner will not keep the house on the rental program and we will recommend the existing management company. Your plans should be very safe. The house is priced to sell, but will not be sold for less that what it is worth. I believe it is a bargain and, as you know, the views and location are practically incomparable. All of you who have been to Conch Out know that it has a very positive spirit about it and its own special magic.

Part of me is very sad to let Conch Out go. But I also believe that one door closes as another is opening. I am ready for those open doors and Bainbridge Island represents that for me. When I first stepped off the Seattle Ferry onto the Island, it was as if someone followed me off the boat, tapped me on the shoulder, and said, "You can wake up now." I practically heard the words and I believe that this place represents something very important for me.

On a more mundane level, I will say that this was far from a financial decision. I simply cannot continue managing three + houses. Was starting to feel like Mrs. Danvers, at a time when I am trying to simplify my life and find time to do the many things that have been deferred for too long now. One of those is writing, which will come as no surprise to many of you. How I appreciate your reception and encouragement of my writing efforts! You cannot know how much that has motivated me.

I will stay in touch and will definitely be spending time at SoWal in the future. Yes, my family is there and part of my heart will always be there. And if any of you are coming to the Seattle area, or Bainbridge Island, specifically, please let me know. I would love to see you and/or to meet you. But I will be seeing you here, too. For those who have asked, I am working on the book and I think you will love it. It is a book about our beaches, written as a series of letters and postcards by a woman who has gone back there to live out the remainder of her years. I am usually so critical of my own hand, but cannot tell you how happy I am with what has been done on this book so far. So...stay tuned, beach friends!

Post #3. Garner spilled the beans.

Donna, selling out completely or just downsizing for something more cozy?

;-) I like the way you think Mermaid!

Donna, Please post some pics. Bainbridge Island sounds wonderful!

Donna, I'm so excited about the book!!! I've been waitin'! :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

working on the book and I think you will love it. It is a book about our beaches, written as a series of letters and postcards by a woman who has gone back there to live out the remainder of her years. I am usually so critical of my own hand, but cannot tell you how happy I am with what has been done on this book so far. So...stay tuned, beach friends!

Looking forward to it! :clap_1:

I think you should take pre-orders on the book. Congratulations on your new island home, getting your ducks in a row, and getting your book on the path to a book jacket with your name on it.:clap_1: