The project, the moment, the dream – Loomis Lake Homestead 2018-2020

A family member offered me and my then partner 5 acres of lakefront property & a 1990 18’ fifth-wheel trailer to rent in exchange for tending to the land, however, it was the land that kept us.

Loomis was perfect as it was. The sloping lawn led to the lake and the dense woods were all around, providing much to forage and many critters to spot. We had no neighbors and were five miles from town (population 1,700). At all hours of the day, we could hear ocean to our West and hundreds of waterfowl to our East. A couple of times a day, nearby nesting bald eagles would sound. A couple of times a month the eery tsunami test siren would echo off the lake.

After tearing up blackberry vines, the garden project fed more wildlife than humans. I experimented with herbs, veg and local wild flowers. I wanted the garden to be wild too.

A propane-powered outdoor shower warmed us for endless hours and through all seasons. The steam often joined the rising morning fog and dew. It was my favorite thing to watch the world wake up, nude, warm, hidden. I felt as if I too was a creature of the woods. “Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice.” Well, we said “build a wood-fired hot tub, and it will warm you and some friends thrice”, (or at least through the wee hours of the morning).

Down towards the lake we built a pallet board platform and set up a 16’ canvas Bell Stout Tent for guests and office space.

The land was 10 minutes from the shoreline. Not being near any major town or city and being towards the end of the peninsula, we always had the beach to ourselves.

Being the mushroom and cranberry capitol of Washington, we were spoiled in wild foraged colors and treats. You could volunteer during cranberry harvest. We made a video about it here. Each day we woke to new mushrooms bursting through the soil. We would venture with our animals into the thicket, crawling, climbing, ducking, and tripping over what felt like an untouched enchanted wood. We’d find mushrooms of all colors, some edible. I harvested many wild herbs and plants and made natural soda, serums, teas, and salves.

Our sweet Finley, Kidden, Chimken (the chicken who appeared from the woods and never left), and the occasional deer and bear.

Waking up under a canopy of douglas fir and dew covered windows was so calming to the nervous system. Some moments from our time there…

a couple before photos of the Nomad before a small remodel to expand cooking, storage and working space.

Interior shots after the remodel & just before selling it to a young woman, who after her time in it was passed to yet another young woman.

Which just makes my heart sing.

A token to remember the magic…Farewell Loomis