Stuart Island: Stepping Off The Treadmill
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By JANE SAWYER
My family bought a small cabin along a beautiful cove on Stuart Island over 20 years ago. It has been a gathering place for friends and extended family every summer since. For our family, Stuart has created the space to unwind and disconnect from the outside world and focus on spending time with each other. We spend our days talking and reading. We fill the hot tub with sea water at high tide, then stoke the firebox with driftwood while stirring the water with a paddle until it is up to temp.
We set the crab traps, dig clams, fish and set pots for prawns and almost always have fresh seafood for dinner. We ride bikes to the light house on Turn Point, stopping at the old schoolhouse and library to pick up a book on the way. Stuart is a quiet place to step off the treadmill and return to basics.
Stuart is considered an outer island, accessible only by private boat or plane. Most Stuart Islanders own a boat and access the island from Roche Harbor or Anacortes, although others prefer using Humpback Charter Service and are happy to be delivered. The island has managed to maintain its pristine rural quality in large part because it is not served by the ferries and lacks utilities. The local power used is produced by solar panels or a generator.
Stuart is served in part by county roads which allows boaters to stretch their legs while hiking to the Stuart Schoolhouse and Turn Point Lighthouse, where there is an excellent museum and restored keepers’ quarters. The Stuart Island Schoolhouse and library are open May through August. Tours are available during the summer months.
You can access detailed information about the Stuart Island State Park HERE.
We also like THIS ARTICLE on King5’s website.
There are a lot of impractical reasons to consider purchasing property on Stuart Island, but if you have an adventurous spirit, appreciate privacy, and have some creative practical skills, the rewards can be great.