It's a DONE DEAL!

Hi, All:

Today is Thursday, June 17th, signing day, we think. We need to get a few things clear and straight, but it looks like we're going to be first-time home owners which no one, including us, can believe—I did actually own a home in San Diego decades ago, but Dave and I together never have, and Dave himself has been a renter for life.

We've done a lot of driving around the island. Monday I think it was we decided to go "off island" as they say to Trader Joe's, thinking we'd maybe go to Costco, take the day to do the round of buying places, maybe some sight seeing in Seattle. Well, we got to TJ's bought what we wanted, and turned right around and high tailed it back. We truly are NOT city people. Whatever the city has to offer just is not worth the crowds, freeways, hustle and bustle anymore, and we'll keep our trips to a bare minimum. It was the middle of a weekday, and the traffic still drove us nuts. Here you can see us going on the ferry, arriving, and, with a big sigh, leaving about an hour later.

Tuesday we traveled north, destination Anacortes. Pretty much the only thing we found on the way was the quaint, wonderful Captain Whidbey Inn (http://www.captainwhidbey.com/) that reminded us of Deetjen's in Big Sur (http://www.deetjens.com/restaurant.htm), and a couple of terrific yarn shops. Still the overwhelming feature of the Great North West is the Great North West itself. The bridge at Deception Pass, joins the Northern tip of Whidbey Island to Fidalgo Island, and takes you into a new county. Whidbey Island is part of Island County along with Camano Island (see map at top). Deception Pass connects Skagit Bay, part of Puget Sound, with the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Here is a photo of breathtaking water running through the pass, and the bridge that straddles it.

Yesterday I recycled! The Island truly is rural. Trash & yard waste pickup but no recycling pickup. We are sooooo spoiled in PG, no sorting, just put it all on the curb and it's picked up. Here recycling has to be taken to one of several locations on the island, many of

which are on the main highway that runs the length of the island, and sorted as in days of old! The Freeland center which I suspect we'll use regularly is hilarious with signs like "free hugs" "Whidbey recycling HATES plastic water bottles" (but they let you recycle them) and these roosters running around in the yard. Junk like you wouldn't believe. Another sign "Led Zepplin I want to marry you" hangs prominently in the yard run by a woman.

We also met with the realty agent to get the owner's counter offer to ours. The asking price for the home, which is brand new, never lived in, but has been on the market for over a year, was $439,000. We countered with $400K and many changes we wanted. His counter to that was $427,500 including the changes and some other things—e.g. stainless, all efficient appliances, all the painted doors to be replaced with wood only, as will be cupboard doors, drawers, etc., and some other minor but important things. The house should look quite beautiful with all the wood. Another thing I LOVE about the house is its on demand water heater (http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/On-Demand-Water-Heater.aspx). Turn the nob, and hot water's there; it saves $$ yearly on the bill, AND, takes up about 1/4 of the space inefficient bulky water heaters do.

So, we're waiting right now to hear if the seller (who's also a "green developer") will accept our final offer with a few minor things.

WHICH HE DID!

We're moving to Langley, Whidbey Island, WA,

(see above map for location)

More later on the house itself; we have a LOT to do! xoxo