Opening Day of Boating Season!

by Greg King

May brings us Opening Day of the Boating Season, but actually boating is pretty much a year round thing in the islands. The many moods and embracing presence of the all-encircling sea is seductive, to put it mildly.

Boating is a way of life in the islands. The San Juan Islands are truly the consummate playground for boaters. The islands’ rich history, natural beauty, rare wildlife, and secluded anchorages as well as moorage opportunities and full service marine docks appeal to those who love being on the water.

Greg King has many clients who have opted to purchase homes with docks or perhaps access to community docks. Some may keep their boats here year long and some opt to use their dock specifically for the shoulder season as a means to cruise/sail the islands in the quieter off season.

Islanders may use their boats to go fishing, maybe a quick run to Lopez for breakfast or lunch at the Orcas Hotel with a stop at the irresistible store at the Orcas Landing. Some visit friends on outer islands. Some head to Sidney for dinner or the Gulf Islands for the weekend! The fun never ends.

When you read that Greg King services all the islands in the archipelago, did you ever wonder how he actually did that? He has a boat! And, transportation on outer islands. Not rocket science…

History • Island • Orcas Island • Wilderness • April 21, 2021

Orcas Island

by Greg King

Orcas is the largest of the 172 islands in San Juan County with shimmering emerald hills embraced by 125 miles of rocky, tree-lined shoreline. Orcas is the diverse island. Its three long inlets thrust deep into the interior of the island, giving it more shoreline and protected waters than any of the neighboring islands.

Once home to countless generations of Native Americans prior to the arrival of its first white settlers in the late 1850’s, the new white settlers lived harmoniously with the Native Americans and many married native women and started families. Settlements grew slowly until improved steamship routes and increased commerce brought more tourists to the island.

The island’s business center is the village of Eastsound with all the amenities one would expect. Many of the hamlets at Orcas Landing, West Sound, Deer Harbor, and Olga have general stores, noteworthy shops and galleries, picture-perfect lodging, and restaurants. The east side of the island is dominated by woodsy Moran State Park with mountaintop vistas and miles of trails. Nearby is the quiet grandeur of historic Rosario Resort.

Orcas recently received a great deal of attention when Oprah Winfrey opted to purchase a home on the island, putting a spotlight on this jewel-like place. Food for thought…

Island • Lifestyle • Lopez Island • Orcas Island • San Juan Island • Weather • April 7, 2021

Spring!

by Greg King

As much as we may yearn for it, Spring can take us by surprise. We wait and we wait. And then, finally we open our eyes one morning to a coppery dawn, a stretch of sky burning with color and drenched with glory making magic with the sea, a heavenly fresh breeze, glowing greens, colorful blossoms, birdsong, and the very feel of Spring.

The first whisper of Spring holds such promise. Our smiles deepen, our laughter increases, our hearts open. We feel stirrings of hope. As Winter’s cold begins to retreat, easing its grip upon our imagination and inclinations, slowly our spirits awaken, along with the natural world. We anticipate a new beginning, a fresh start – a new chapter in life waiting to be written.

It is time to laugh, play, and create. It is a time to revise and change.

Change can ambush, upsetting our comfortable routine. But, at this time of year, change is expected – perhaps, even invited. Not a time to be shy or reserved, we flirt with the opportunities and possibilities. Trust yourself. Act on your instincts. To hold back, hesitate, and halt is to snuff out the spark.

No need for impatience. Preparatory steps are necessary. Quiet your mind, carve out time to dream and express yourself. It is pretty amazing what a little shift in perception can do.

If all else fails, go to the beach!

Island • Lopez Island • Orcas Island • San Juan Island • Travel • March 18, 2021

Beyond the Border – Visit Sidney, B.C.

by Greg King

As you venture around the islands, you will often see Canada looming in the distance.

The end of March brings the return of the ferry from Friday Harbor to Sidney, British Columbia which can be interpreted to mean a great opportunity for a fun getaway!

Sidney is located on the shore of the southern tip of Vancouver Island on the Saanich Peninsula amidst the Gulf Islands with Mount Baker standing in the distance. Sidney is a fun place to visit with a high quality of life and a welcoming atmosphere.

The pedestrian-friendly downtown with enchanting street statues and murals offers a vibrant boutique shopping district, museums, galleries, and businesses providing unique products and personalized service. With an abundance of new and used bookstores, one can enjoy many hours of browsing. Additionally, there is a diverse assortment of fabulous restaurants offering excellent meals, catering to all tastes.

There is a great walkway that offers a flat, barrier-free surface to stroll along the waterfront with benches, picnic tables, gorgeous gardens, and mesmerizing views of Sidney Island, Mount Baker, and more. The walkway passes Port Sidney Marina, Beacon Park and Beacon Wharf at the end of Beacon Avenue. Continue past Diver’s Point, the Bevan Fishing Pier, and Eastview Park. If you are up for a longer walk, continue past the ferry terminal.

For those who opt to drive on the ferry rather than walk on, there are more options. Victoria is a mere twenty minute drive from Sidney. Go exploring! There are some pretty great things on the outskirts of Sidney proper. You might want to treat yourself to a meal at Deep Cove Chalet – you won’t regret it!

For those with private boats, you might consider venturing to Poet’s Cove on Pender Island. It is the quintessential retreat with moorage and access to restaurants and amenities. For a two night stay, moorage is complimentary.

Home • Home cleaning tips • Interior Design • Organization • March 4, 2021

Weeding Out – Closet Organization

by Greg King

March arrives. The first whisper of Spring holds such promise. We feel stirrings of hope. As Winter’s cold begins to retreat, easing its grip upon our imagination and inclinations, slowly our spirits awaken, along with the natural world, from a long Winter’s slumber. With earlier mornings and later evenings combined with unseasonably warm, sunny days, responding to something primal, all things seem to be stirring.

The return of Spring stirs emotions in us as does no other seasonal event. Perhaps this has you thinking seriously about selling your home.

In order to get the best price in a timely fashion, there are any number of things that need to be addressed to prepare your home to sell. One thing that many may overlook is closets. Closets? Really? Yes, buyers really do look in your closets…

This is the perfect time for closet purging. Approach the task like gardeners approach pulling weeds. Cleaning out closets may sound simple, but unless you want to end up just straightening the confusion, it is imperative that you come prepared with determination to sort, sift, and say farewell. Realistically, it can take several hours to completely clean and organize one closet. It is a good idea to pace yourself. View it as an investment for mind, body, spirit. The process will give you a feeling of complete satisfaction.

Spring is a new beginning and a fresh start. Go for it!

Home • Home cleaning tips • Home repair • Interior Design • Lopez Island • Orcas Island • San Juan Island • February 11, 2021

Love your home!

by Greg King

The world seems to brace itself for February; the burnished silver skies seem to nearly sigh with stoic beauty, this quiet time. But, February is, without a doubt, all about love.

Knowing what you love should be fairly straightforward, but it seldom really is. After decades of allowing other people to influence us – the media, the magazines, our parents, our friends – one might consider going cold turkey. The only opinion that truly counts from now on is your own.

There is nothing worse than walking into your home and feeling stressed out and overwhelmed. You want to love your home, but all you might see is chaos. Perhaps you considered moving, but it may not make sense financially. At the same time, the environment in your home generally affects everything else in your world. If you don’t love your home, it is going to reflect itself in the rest of your life. If you want to love your home, it might be time to get intentional.

Start by being clear on what you want from your home. It does not have to be perfect, but it should be a reflection of you and a place that inspires all who enter. By making a few simple changes you can easily transform the entire atmosphere of your home as well as your attitude and mood.

It might be something as simple as de-cluttering and organizing, making your bed every day, keeping floor space clear, painting a room, or bringing a bit of nature indoors like a houseplant or fresh-cut flowers. Maybe display a framed inspirational quote or remove things that don’t make you happy. Or, regularly open your curtains to let the light shine in!

If minor repairs are the issue for you, think baby steps – one item at a time. One of the benefits of working with Greg King & Co. is we know who to call and how to get them there in a timely fashion!

This might be the year for asking questions. The most essential one we can ask is: what is it I truly love? Be patient. No need to totally overhaul your entire world in a week. Trust that your authentic life will unfold naturally and with grace.

Birding • Forest • Island • Lopez Island • Orcas Island • San Juan Island • Wilderness • Winter • February 1, 2021

Winter Birds in the Islands

by Greg King

To many who live in the Northwest, Winter is synonymous with hibernation and dormancy. Those who live in the islands tend to let Winter weave her wondrous spell. The stunning ordinary in the simply overlooked.

The San Juan Islands are fortunate to be blessed with a spectacular array of birds that only visit between Fall and Spring. Trumpeter Swans are the most obvious as they are the largest and most conspicuous of water fowl and are commonly spotted on ponds, lakes, and marshes. To see them flying in V-formation is a sight to behold.

But, there are other Winter birds that may not be quite so obvious. Their colors tend to be subtle, although stunning. Some border on extravagant! Great beaches to spot these birds on San Juan Island include Fourth of July Beach, Cattle Point, South Beach, Roche Harbor, Jackson Beach, False Bay, Jakle’s Lagoon, and Lime Kiln Point State Park. The spit of Fisherman Bay Preserve on Lopez is good as well as Crescent Beach and Waterfront Park on Orcas.

All of nature seems to be at peace. This is the time to dream. In the natural world, Winter is typically the season of rest, restoration, and reflection. But, not for the Winter Birds in the islands!

Soon, the sun will shine and the temperature will rise above freezing. Grab your binoculars and maybe a bird book, then head out to explore for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.

Lopez Island • Orcas Island • Roche Harbor • San Juan Island • Weather • January 19, 2021

Barometric Pressure

by Greg King

Barometric pressure is the measure of the weight of the atmosphere above us. Barometric pressure varies with altitude; a higher elevation will have less atmosphere above it which exerts less pressure. To keep readings standard across the world, barometric pressure is to be indicated at sea level.

The barometric pressure changes as the weather systems over us change. The pressure differences have a huge effect on the weather. If you know the current air pressure at your home, as well as the pressure trend, you are able to predict certain things about the weather. As a very loose rule, a high-pressure area will be clear, and a low-pressure area will be cloudy and rainy.

Many still opt to have barometers in their homes and monitor them with great regularity. There is no need to understand the complexities of all this since most barometers are marked Stormy, Rain, Change, Fair, and Very Dry but, essentially a falling barometer typically means clouds and rain and a rising barometer typically means clear and sunny.

Many have learned that a falling barometer, for whatever reason, means a shift in their mood. Yes, this could be due to weather, or perhaps, they are one in the same. But, let’s go at this another way. Maybe the weather has nothing to do with anything. Grey, cold, and rainy days can be just as susceptible to the warming influence of enthusiasm as are sunny days.

Even lousy days possess hidden wonder. Days that are expected to be wonderful before they begin turn out to be so much more frequently than days greeted with grumbling. Sometimes you just need an attitude adjustment to shift your perception of an entire afternoon and move forward into a pleasant evening

Home • Island • Lopez Island • Orcas Island • Roche Harbor • San Juan Island • January 5, 2021

Dead of Winter? – Listing your Home

by Greg King

January – the month of new beginnings and cherished memories. It is a fresh start, a new chapter. A time for reflection and resolution.

The first month of our calendar year was named by the Romans after Janus, the god of change, transitions, and beginnings. Janus had two faces – one looking forward, the other backward. He had the ability to watch entrances and exits, but symbolically, it signaled the need to balance our hopes for tomorrow with a keen awareness of what happened yesterday. Think about it…

Many considering selling their homes in the islands assume they should wait until Spring to list when the tourists arrive. Some sellers even opt to take their homes off the market for the Winter months. The thought process includes thinking homes show better in the Spring. Unfortunately, many assume incorrectly that homes do not sell in the Winter. This school of thought makes for low inventory…

However, low inventory is nothing short of fantastic for sellers. Basic economics of supply and demand tells us that most things sell for more money when there is less of them available. It has been proven time and time again this applies to housing. http://www.sanjuansre.com/listfall

Today’s serious buyers look at listings pretty much all day, every day. They have apps on their phone, get listings texted and emailed to them, and simply don’t care about the time of year. In fact, many want to purchase prior to Spring to have time to make their new house a home. Listing in January makes for a captive audience!

Community • Holidays • Island • Lopez Island • Orcas Island • San Juan Island • Winter • December 22, 2020

Holiday Memories

by Greg King

The holidays are upon us and you can feel it in the air in the San Juan Islands. Slowing, surely,
the season’s magical spell has taken hold with the remarkable sense of community. Actively
emerging in early December, a spirited and creative time of year, it is a precious time when
memory and other strands of our lives can come together in powerful and fun ways.

The holidays are a time of sentimental triggers. Holiday memories – we carry them with us all
our lives. While memories may blur and fade, one can almost always recall where one was for
holidays past. This seems especially true in the islands. The holidays in the islands are truly
remarkable – indescribable really – for young and old alike.

December’s gifts – custom, ceremony, celebration, consecration – come to us wrapped up, not in
tissue and ribbon, but in cherished memories. No matter where you live or how old you may be,
holidays from your childhood have a special glow about them.

In this society of ours, which often seems broadly skeptical about the value of tradition, it is a
wonderful thing for families warmly embracing the positive benefits that tradition can actually
carry. This extends uniquely to the holidays.

There is a calming stability in island holiday celebrations and rituals; both the preparation and
celebrations create memories that last a lifetime. Traditions can be sacred or silly, but they
become a strong source of bonding, love, and security. The magic, mystery, decorations,
presents, singing, laughter, and special food of the island holiday season are all part of the
traditions lovingly handed down from generation to generation. Even for those who shun
tradition and ritual the rest of the year, the holidays are a time we often return to the security of
their fold. Holiday traditions resonate with the imprimatur of time; they become our identity,
writing our history, and reflecting cultural heritage.

We may think traditions are carved in stone, but really they adapt beautifully to new
circumstances if we let them. This year is a perfect example of just that. Introducing new festive
rituals as our lives change is how we continually open ourselves to wonder, ensuring that our
future memories of holidays past bring both contentment and renewal. As we seek to put our
own stamp on tradition and imbue celebrations with our own sense of style in a safe fashion, we
discover the irresistible variety of both.

The holidays in the islands are memorable, to be sure…