Windermere Photo Gallery

Footnotes

1. Entering the Property
   
   The prior owners were a landscape architect and his wife. He used the property to grow rhododendrons, some of them hybrids he created. The result today is a wild and lush mix of native and ornamental plantings in a primeval setting of huge trees. Take a moment to listen. Chances are the loudest sound will be the songs of birds. Over four acres of peace, quiet and privacy yet only a few moments drive from Poulsbo.
   
   Turn down the drive and you will enter another world - away from the hectic urban pace, more like the Northwest 100 years ago.
2. On the way you will pass some of the dozens of rhodies planted throughout the property.
3. In the spring, if it is near the end of the day the rhodies may be glowing, illuminated with that beautiful yellow sunlight of a northwest sunset over the mountains.
4. You arrive at the circular drive at the entrance to the house.
5. Viewing the Home
   
   Approaching the 50s NW-style home, you are presented with a thoughtfully laid out mix of rhododendrons (some as large as trees), maples and other ornamentals. Though in need of management, the plants could be the basis of an extraordinary mature landscape design.
   
   From guest parking, the walkway to the house lies ahead.
6. The raised concrete walkway winding through the landscaping is still innovative today.
7. Started in the 50s, the home was expanded through stages to its current configuration. Walking through the home, you will see design elements that were in vogue during that period.
8. The daylight rambler home could be renovated as a guest house. It has interesting design elements and appears to be structurally sound with an intact roof. It could also be used as an on-site residence during construction, then sold along with its lot. Or it could be removed, perhaps to use the foundation for placement of a new home.
9. View Panorama
   
   This panorama shows the sweeping view of the Olympic Mountain Range and Hood Canal. The property’s ideal orientation, facing directly west, optimizes the view. From this vantage point, you can enjoy spectacular sunsets, watch mountains change from green to white with the seasons and feel like a participant as storm systems move through. The panorama was taken from the roof of the house, and represents the view as it would be from the second story of a two-story house or after additional trimming of trees on the bank. Trimming of more trees to the south could improve it even more. The view is similar from the main floor of the existing house.
   
   
10. Touring the Grounds
    
    Expect surprises along the paths that wind through the property.
    
    Nestled among the trees, one of the dozens of rhododendrons planted throughout the property by the previous owner, a landscape architect.
11. Further along the path watch for a 40-foot cedar chimney, a shell of an old cedar tree with the center rotted out. It would make a great element in the landscaping for your new home on the property.
12. Follow the path to the garden area at the southern edge of the property. You’ll find this huge rhodie and large apple tree. The garden area includes raised beds, fruit trees and great sunlight.
13. Venture to the northern edge of the property and look for a pair of stone stanchions. They once supported the gate to an estate that lay to the north.
14. Walking to the Beach
    
    With many high-bank waterfront properties, access to the beach is difficult or impractical. With this property, going to the beach is a pleasant stroll down a wide trail through the woods. In fact, the trail is wide enough to use a garden tractor to haul gear, project materials and tools or even people to and from the beach.
    
    The trail is well maintained, including such recent improvements as this split cedar retaining wall. It makes you feel like you are in a national park.
15. Part way to the beach there is a flat area among the cedar trees. Plant a few shade loving plants, trim a hole through the trees to access the view and add a park bench. You would have a lovely hideaway to read a book or just enjoy the peace.
16. This is the last stretch as the trail approaches the top of the poured concrete bulkhead.
17. Beach Panorama
    
    Once at the beach, this is the view that will greet you. It stretches from the mountains in the southern end of the Olympic Range to the Hood Canal Bridge to the north.
    
    
18. At the Beach
    
    The beach is rocky, with a moderate drop rate. Sufficient depth for anchoring a large boat will be fairly close to shore. There is some protection from light winds and waves from the south. It does not offer sufficient protection for winter moorage, but there are five marinas within a fifteen minute drive.
    
    Upon arriving at the top of the bulkhead from the trail, this view will greet you.
19. From the beach looking north, the Hood Canal Bridge is just visible. The delta to the north is a site for digging Washington's famous giant clams known as geoducks.
20. To the south, a point povides some protection from winds from that direction. Most serious storms come from the south.
21. Much of the beach is covered in oysters. Start looking up recipes for preparing oysters.
22. The bulkhead and boat house, though in disrepair, are existing structures. Current regulations usually allow existing structures to be restored to their original state. It is very unlikely that regulatory agencies would allow these structures to be built at all now if they had not existed previously.
23. Evidence of the previous owner’s architectural background is evident throughout the property. This elevated concrete boat launch ramp is reminiscent of the walkway he designed to approach the house front door.
24. At high tide, the boat launch ramp leads directly into the water.
25. The Area
    
    The property is located just outside Poulsbo in Kitsap County, an area that boasts a wide range of both outdoor activities and cultural venues. In the immediate area, you could golf in the morning, go sailing in the afternoon and still have time to harvest clams and oysters that evening. The Olympic National Park is nearby, with opportunities to camp, hike, fish or simply enjoy the outdoors.(http://www.nps.gov/olym/home.htm) Within 45 minutes drive, you can hear chamber music in a converted barn (http://www.olympicmusicfestival.org/), enjoy comedy, theater, music and vintage movies in a converted movie theater (http://www.admiraltheatre.org) or go on a gallery walk featuring local artists.
    
    Nearby Poulsbo, known as little Norway, is proud of its Scandinavian heritage. Old town Poulsbo is a mix of shops and restaurants, including a bakery known throughout the Northwest.
26. The world-class 27 hole Port Ludlow golf course is about 10 miles north. The course offers a wide range of challenges from gently rolling hills like these to hilly terrain with deep ravines to shoot over. And the scenery is fabulous.
27. There are five marinas within a few minutes drive. The 300-slip Port Ludlow marina is shown here. Three marinas are located in Poulsbo, including one owned by the local yacht club. Another is located in Kingston.
28. The property is near two ferry routes that give access to the east side of Puget Sound. The Kingston ferry lands in Edmonds, a community north of Seattle. The Bainbridge Island ferry lands in downtown Seattle. Many people walk on to the Seattle ferry to commute to work, enjoy a ball game or spend the evening at the theater or another cultural event. Seattle's symphony, ballet company and opera company are internationally recognized.
29. Plat Maps
    
    The property includes two tax parcels, totaling 4.38 acres. One parcel is 1.11 acres, the other 3.27. The lots total 311 feet in width and there is approximately 340 feet of waterfront shoreline diagonally. Because there are two tax parcels, the property can support two homes. This makes it ideal for a two-home family compound or estate, or for a builder that wants to build homes for two clients.
    
    In this plat map, north is to the right. The property is facing directly west towards Hood Canal and the Olympic Mountains. The existing house is on the smaller, northern parcel. The narrow strip across the eastern edge of the property is a 30-foot county road right of way, an unused continuation of Ansell Road. This assures that if they are owned separately both tax parcels will have access without the need for an easement.
30. North is also to the right in this smaller scale plat map. The shorline curves to the west south of the property, providing some protection.
31. North is up in this plat map. The approximate house position is shown on the aerial photo overlay.