Land of Tall Trees and Fat Fish: My Cottage on Puget Sound

View of Mt. Rainer from my Home Away rental
View of Mount Rainier from Rich Passage
View of Mount Rainer from my Home Away cottage on Rich Passage. Photograph, Ann Fisher.

Ten days on the water. The mountain. The ferries. And the fish. Oh, god. The fish.

Sockeye Salmon at Seattle's Pike Place Market.
Sockeye Salmon at Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Photograph by Steve Estvanik, Shutterstock.

I came to look at the water, write, cook, and spend time with friends. I visited Alaska in early August, and decided to remain in the Seattle area before returning to the heat and humidity in Houston. I’ve used Home Away (owned by VRBO) to find apartment rentals before in Florence, Italy — twice, so I took a look at their site to see what might be available in Seattle.

When I saw this waterfront cottage — it immediately reminded me of the cabin in the film On Golden Pond with Katharine Hepburn and Henry Fonda. This cottage dates from 1910.

Those of you who’ve read my other travel pieces will find this short. It was quiet. I ate good food, I drank good wine, I had long visits with family, friends, and my daughter. I read. I wrote. And I stared at one of my favorite mountains in the world.

Great Heron flying near the cottage. Photograph, Ann Fisher.
Great Heron flying near the cottage. Photograph, Ann Fisher.

I’d quit my day job at the beginning of August. This cottage, with it’s perfect view on Puget Sound, offered a tranquil time for me to consider life and plan my next steps.

A sea lion came by to visit regularly, along with a variety of water birds and herons. Often it was so quiet that I could hear ducks’ wings brushing the water as they flew near the surface. Then a ferry would chug by.

Some days, I watched clouds transform themselves into Rainier, and other times the reverse, as the mountain pulled a cloak around herself, hiding from us all.

Golden rainbow trout at the Pike Place Market
Golden rainbow trout at the Pike Place Market. Photograph, Ann Fisher.

I cooked a lot of fish — my culinary goal while I was at the cottage was to figure out how to make the incredible salmon bisque I ate at the Pilot Light restaurant in Haines, Alaska. And by George, I think I’ve got it :-)!! I will of course share the recipe, but it will be in a separate post.

And look at the gorgeous golden trout I brought home from the Pike Place Market . . .

The Cottage

I found this vacation rental home to be just the ticket. It had personality and was very comfortable. Family and friends spent part of the time out there with me, and we all found the beds comfortable.

There are two bedrooms: one with two twin beds, and the other with a queen. It sleeps four comfortably. Someone could possibly sleep on the sofa — but it wouldn’t be me! You’ll find the cottage listed on Home Away.
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The house is clean and well-maintained. The kitchen had everything I needed, and it was great to have a washer and dryer. Gordon, the owner, was friendly and very helpful. His advice about grocery stores and other things was spot on.

I think it would be a great Seattle area vacation home for a family, as long as the children weren’t too young. The yard is not fenced, and there is a steep drop when the tide is out. For safety reasons, the owner doesn’t accept children under 10 years old.


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Location of the cottage I stayed in on Puget Sound.
Location of the cottage I stayed in on Puget Sound.

Logistics

The cottage has a Port Orchard address, but it’s out at the far end of the peninsula, and feels very rural. If you take a look at the map image (clicking on it will take you to a live Google map. You will need a car.

The best grocery store in the area is the Fred Meyer in Port Orchard. They had a great fish market, and I was very pleased with the selection and quality. The Albertson’s there was not great. Actually, I mean awful.

There are a number of local Port Orchard restaurants. I found Amy’s on the Bay to be good for steamed clams, at Cosmo’s Ristorante had very decent American-Italian fare. Mostly, I cooked.

The best restaurant meals I ate at on this trip were in Seattle proper — I was blown away by the authentic Italian cuisine at Spinasse — cannot say enough wonderful things about this restaurant. It’s some of the best Italian food I’ve eaten in the States. My daughter and I also checked out a Tom Douglas restaurant called The Carlile Room: great for creative small plates. I would definitely go again. You’ll need a reservation at both restaurants.

Fresh fish at the Pike Place Market. Photograph, Ann Fisher.
Fresh fish at the Pike Place Market. Photograph, Ann Fisher.

While I was on Puget Sound, I went into Seattle three times. There are three ways to get there, and they all take about 1.5 hours. The options are the Seattle-Bremerton ferry, the Faunterloy-Southworth ferry, or driving. The Bremerton ferry will take you straight to downtown Seattle, and you can either walk or cab it to get around. It’s nice not to have to deal with a car. I took a couple of canvas totes with me, went and had brunch at the Athenian (where Tom Hanks and Rob Reiner have lunch in Sleepless in Seattle) in the Pike Place market, and after wandering, bought fish and flowers and headed back to my gorgeous view.

If you are planning a trip to Seattle, and want to focus on the typical tourist sights, my advice is either to stay in the city,  or consider splitting your time. Start at the cottage for the desired number of days, then spend a couple of nights at a hotel downtown before catching your flight home. Dealing with a ferry at rush hour heading to the airport is NOT my idea of fun.

Parting Thoughts

If you know much about the Seattle area, you know it’s frequently cloudy. June, July, and August are the sunniest months of the year. When it’s grey and overcast, the mountain isn’t out. But there is something about this that makes seeing Mount Rainier all the more magical. And on this trip she was absolutely breathtaking.

The Mountain emerges from the clouds.
The Mountain emerges from the clouds.

*** Featured image at top of article: The sun sets on Mount Rainier, the view from my cottage on Rich Passage. Photograph, Ann Fisher.
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Ann in Castolon in Big Bend National Park. Photograph, Jim Stevens

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Ann Fisher

Writer, traveler, and cancer fighter. Get out there and live life!

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21 thoughts on “Land of Tall Trees and Fat Fish: My Cottage on Puget Sound

  1. Calendar Wallpaper for August 2018 - Ann Cavitt Fisher August 1, 2018 at 3:46 pm

    […] Land of Tall Trees and Fat Fish […]

    Reply
  2. Diane McReynolds May 2, 2017 at 11:07 am

    Wow Ann – you nailed it. The perfect blog post enhanced with beautiful photos. Your writing skills drew a vivid picture in my mind which really resonated with me. It’s rare that I subscribe to a blog but I have subscribed to yours!

    Reply
    1. Ann May 2, 2017 at 12:33 pm

      Hi Diane. Thank you SO much. I love writing, and it makes me happy when I manage to transfer mental images and feelings for a place. Of course, when it comes to Mt. Rainier — it’s hard not be inspired.

      Reply
  3. The Year of Last Holidays – Ann Cavitt Fisher April 18, 2017 at 7:57 am

    […] Land of Tall Trees and Fat Fish […]

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  4. kitcatsdesigns January 17, 2017 at 8:37 pm

    You did an excellent job capturing the land scape, I recognized this beautiful mountain right away.. I live less than 15 miles away from Port Orchard… I’m glad you enjoyed your stay here❤

    Reply
    1. Ann January 17, 2017 at 9:21 pm

      Such a beautiful place — and of course August is a great time in terms of weather. It was a great escape from the heat here in Texas — and looking at Rainier is so special.

      Reply
  5. Janice Wald September 15, 2016 at 6:58 pm

    Hi Ann,
    I love to travel and do it often. I am also interested in photography.
    Congratulations on being Danny Ray’s featured blogger. I was his featured blogger too.
    Maybe you can check out my blog if you need a writing tip or two. That’s what I write about.
    Janice

    Reply
    1. Ann September 15, 2016 at 7:42 pm

      Hi Janice, Great to meet you — and I’ll certainly be over to your blog this weekend.

      Reply
      1. Janice Wald September 15, 2016 at 8:20 pm

        I look forward to your visit.
        Janice

        Reply
  6. Scott Parker-Anderson September 10, 2016 at 10:42 am

    I grew up right near the Southworth ferry dock and had classmates that lived out on that point by Manchester. I live in Seattle now, but have rented places on Vashon from time to time as a little weekend get away. There is a lighthouse you can rent… Great post!

    Reply
    1. Ann September 10, 2016 at 11:03 am

      Scott — that’s a great idea. If you have a link to the lighthouse rental, please post it :-).

      Reply
      1. Scott Parker-Anderson September 10, 2016 at 12:15 pm

        Here is the link: http://vashonparks.org/pt-robinson-keepers-quarters Great photos and a great story.

        Reply
        1. Ann September 10, 2016 at 4:22 pm

          Thank you! It’s always nice to pass on these great places to other travelers.

          Reply
  7. dray0308 September 9, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    Reblogged this on DREAM BIG DREAM OFTEN and commented:
    Ann Cavitt Fisher never disappoints! Check out her adventures on the Puget Sound!!

    Reply
  8. Daal September 9, 2016 at 2:10 am

    Your beautiful spirit shows through your lovely writing & gorgeous photos. Loooove the idea of this blog as well as how you’ve decided to fight. My thoughts & prayers are with you 🙂

    Reply
  9. the dune mouse September 7, 2016 at 4:03 pm

    I’m just north! No selling is required – gorgeous photos of a beautiful place!! and a beautiful description of life here. When do you go back?

    Reply
    1. Ann September 9, 2016 at 8:47 am

      You know, when I go back to the Pacific Northwest — I should go look you up. I don’t have immediate plans to return, but I’ll get word to you when I do.

      Reply
      1. the dune mouse September 10, 2016 at 11:57 am

        as you know I’m often traveling too but let me know if you ever decide to meander up this way! 🙂 I sent you a private message on your blog re stories too!

        Reply
  10. kalison0515 September 5, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Very informative piece, and that B&W photo is stunning!

    Reply
    1. Ann September 5, 2016 at 9:56 pm

      Kim, thank you. Sitting on the deck, I watched the mountain come and go. And I got lucky with light and clouds — makes the pictures easy.

      Reply
  11. grgunderson September 5, 2016 at 6:48 pm

    P.S. I was reading your post when ding ding ding an incoming email was making itself known and I could see from the title it was a reservation request! I thought to myself, jebus, that was fast. However, was coincidental; from parents of a Navy guy (hey, military discount!). But I’m giving you credit anyway; must have been just good, simple karma.

    G

    Sent from mobile

    >

    Reply

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