After 18 years of pouring our sweat, blood and tears into our homestead, after spending all this time and effort to create our paradise, we will leave this beloved patch of Earth to move downvalley in June.
Our homesteading lifestyle made a lot of sense when we were homeschooling our kids, growing a lot of our food, and raising animals for all these years. It was an incredible way for our children to grow up and live in nature.
Ever since our kids started public school 2 1/2 years ago, things shifted. The school bus ride is a daily 2 1/2 hour schlepp. Driving the kids back and forth to sports and social events costs us countless hours and money. The public school they go to doesn't offer what they need.
Transitioning from being the primary homeschooling parent, my life has shifted, too. My job as a Feminine Power coach requires fast internet and reliable electricity, which isn't always the case up here.
And we are not even mentioning Steve's 3 hour commute to work.
It doesn't make sense any more.
So we are renting our homestead, starting the middle of June, and moving downvalley to a property in the Skagit Flats. We'll still come up to Marblemount to visit, connect with friends and maintain our property.
>> If you want to rent our homestead, you can check out our ad here <<
Our new place is in the beautiful Skagit Flats, feels very rural, but is right between Bellingham and Burlington. It's right on scenic Chuckanut Drive, where the organic dairy is where Steve and I met and fell in love. Our oldest, Kai, was born at our friends' place on Chuckanut Drive. I've ridden my bike there for 25 years, always wondering what it would be like to live there.
Now we're coming full circle.
We'll have a garden, of course, and start from a blank slate. I'll document it all in the blog, so you won't be missing out, and we'll come back to Marblemount on the weekends and summers, so you'll still see beautiful pictures of the wilderness!
And we're excited about teaching homesteading and survival skills classes and workshops downvalley!
Here's the view out the backyard from our new property:
I know this is a lot to process - for us, and maybe for you, too. Many of you have followed our lives for a decade on the blog, and I'm sure this comes as a shock. Please know that we feel 100% right about this, so at least we're not agonizing about this new development!
Oh My God! I'm surprised but not surprised. We went through a similar transition 4 years ago when we quit care-taking the remote and beautiful Grindstone Ranch near Mendocino and bought this place. We are actually preparing for our next adventure by finishing the remodel on this place and will put it on the market. Probably in April. We're not sure where we will land but for a few months we will call Planet Earth our home while we visit Yellowstone and other places. Perhaps we will even drive up to Washington and say howdy to you guys! So, finally, I say good on ya, mate! The new place looks absolutely Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteYou got an online place where we can follow your shenanigans, Renée?
DeleteRenee, come say hi to us!!! Good luck on your adventures! Sounds exciting!!!! I know you don't like the heat and lack of rain where you are right now, so I know this has been in the works for you for a while, too!
DeleteOh, wow! Not surprised that you’re moving, another season of life that is bringing new adventures. It’s beautiful! Is the barn on the property?
ReplyDeleteThe barn is not on the property, but the backyard looks out at it!
DeleteOh my....
ReplyDeleteThis is huge!
But you have yo let go, when the time has come and it feels right. But I know what you are going through. You will leave a piece of your heart there and personally I would recommend you not renting it out, but selling it. Don't make it harder on yourself by dwelling and keeping a tie. Sever it. Cut yourself loose and be free from it. Then, and only then, can you truly start anew.
Wishing you all the very best. God bless.
Hi Ron, we'll rent the place because we will come back on the weekends and in the summer! We are just not ready to let go of it completely!
DeleteCongratulations on your difficult decision...I know you guys love the Salish coast so now you'll be so much closer & I'm guessing there'll be about 200% less rain than in Marblemount!
ReplyDeleteOh my god, you are so right! 30 inches of annual rain fall at the coast versus almost 100 inches here!
DeleteWow, how exciting Corina! I'm so happy Brad & I attended your Homesteading Retreat a few years ago, and so appreciate your beautiful property in Marblemount. Looking forward to following you in your new location!
ReplyDeleteLaurie Lasala-Tuttle
Dear Laurie, so great to hear from you! I'll keep blogging about our new adventure for sure!
DeleteHello Corina.
ReplyDeleteChanges are sometimes inevitable and a little scary.
But when we know our goals well, everything flows better.
I wish all your beautiful family, the best of the best.
If you haven't read it yet, read the book "The Secret" and also watch the movie. The arguments contained therein have just opened my mind.
As mr. Spock, "long and prosperous life" !!
Big hug from your friend in Brazil!
Ricardo Kolbe.
Oh yes, I'm very familiar with "The Secret" and the Law of Attraction. That's why I have created so much magic in my life, despite all the heartbreak and negative stuff happening!
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