Walking Eastsound - on Orcas Island.

Eastsound is the heart of Orcas, where the east and west lobes of Orcas Island join in the middle.  Ken, my favorite cowboy and I were on our way to the Orcas Island Association of Realtors' monthly meeting. We were off to hear Richard Fralic, our County Commissioner talk about the proposed tax levy and give us an update on the Critical Area Ordinance.

Ah, so I am not always just having fun! It's true! I too, work for a living. Selling Real Estate on Orcas Island requires I stay current on all kinds of issues. The tax levy is needed because our Orcas real estate market has been slow, and construction is really down, and they have generated much of our county's income in the past. San Juan County is small but we have fantastic services: from EMT and exceptional medical services to an extensive library, services for seniors and children, parks and recreation. I'll tell you more about services on Orcas later.

On the way to the meeting,  I had a great time taking photos in downtown Eastsound. It is a walking village, perfect for meandering and visiting with neighbors.

This is Teezers, where locals meet for a great cup of coffee and warm chocolate cookies sold for just one dollar!?

Hey, there's that guy with the cowboy hat... he's out in front of Bilbo's, maybe he's looking for care asada? They serve Mexican food.

People always ask: "Do you have DSL on Orcas?" Let me tell you we are connected! With the most educated population in the northwest living on Orcas, we are on the Internet! We may live on an island, but that does not mean we're out of it! We are a well-traveled, politically active, liberal group, who believe in expressing our opinions and letting others do the same.

Here is one of my favorite buildings in town. It houses a trendy little dress shop called 'Tres Fabu'. Owned by Nicki who instead of becoming the therapist she had planned to be, began  making hats which grew into this boutique.  She, like a lot of Islanders turned her passion into a new way of life.

 

Remember the Farmer's Market in Eastsound? Well it's held in the village green, which has a beautiful pavillion built by local artists and craftsman for concerts in the park. Like the Island itself it is quiet here in the fall. The music has moved indoors for the time being.

Next to the village green is the Historical Museum. It has been selected by the Smithsonian as a site for  a project called 'Journey Stories', which will begin next summer.  A perfect venue for our  Orcas Island Characters.

Orcas Islanders are obsessed with Halloween, with all the shop owners dressing for the holiday, and kids and adults alike trick or treating and making merry. How about an adult Fairy costume.

Ah, here's Ginny Lu's Wood's Cove. I wonder if she is a long lost relative? I did sell her house a few years back, now it is lovingly know as 'Beachyhead' by our friends Jerry and Mary. They have an accounting business. When they relocated from the Carmel area, they just continued to work for their clients in California, here on Orcas. Well, they are accountants! Bet that they knew that with no state income tax and low property taxes, they would save lots of money by relocating to Orcas. Why not? There's no traffic, and not even any stoplights!

We are not even halfway down the street. For a small town, we have a lot to offer. Come back tomorrow and I'll show you more of Eastsound!