written by Lauren Kramer
I’m seated on an Adirondack chair in the sunshine of a grassy meadow, my only company a potbellied pig, four goats and a pony. The animals, heavily invested in snacking, don’t care a whit for our bewitchingly beautiful view of a quiet bay in the Salish Sea. The small, rocky embankment of Skull Island is directly before us, and in the distance, the forested heads of other San Juan islands are scattered on either side. When the sun begins to dip, I’ll harvest salad greens and herbs from the vegetable garden and orchard behind my cottage, using them to prepare a tasty, vegan meal.
If you’ve ever wanted to step straight into the most idyllic version of Pacific Northwest farm and island life, Pebble Cove Farm on Orcas Island is your answer. Here, guests get to mingle freely with the animals Lydia and John Miller have rescued over the years. At low tide, visitors can wade to the island to peer into tidal pools, or kayak through the still-as-glass water and explore the neighboring bays. And when hunger strikes, the Millers’ verdant vegetable garden and orchard offer in-season fruit, herbs and vegetables that can be picked at leisure. Add hammocks, a fire pit and a private beach, and you’d be forgiven for never wanting to leave.
ACCOMMODATIONS
We stayed in the cottage, a cozy, comfortable loft-like apartment that sleeps four. It features a small, well-equipped kitchen, a wood-burning fireplace, a TV and an outdoor deck with a gas barbecue. The kitchen is stocked with basic supplies, snacks, tea and coffee, homemade granola and almond milk. Pebble Cove also offers a garden cabin and two studio suites, all with kitchenettes.
AMENITIES
Pebble Cove has a yoga studio, kayaks and paddleboards for rent, and a rowboat for exploring the inlets and coves. Guests can nap in the hammocks, explore the orchard and vegetable garden and interact with the animals. Kids will enjoy the private beach and play area on the grassy acreage. At sunset, the fire pit is a tempting venue to absorb the beauty and stillness of the island, while the hot tub is the perfect sedative for a good night’s sleep. The farm has a complimentary charging station for electric vehicles.
HISTORY
In 2004, the Millers bought a neglected acreage with a dream to transform it into a contemporary farmhouse for their family and give their future guests the opportunity to experience island life. They built a cottage, barn, hen house and corral, planted the orchard and vegetable garden, and began adopting the rescued animals that make up the farm family. Keenly aware of environmental responsibility, they offer exclusively vegan food and cruelty-free, all-natural toiletries, avoid pesticides and chemicals, and recycle and compost.
3341 DEER HARBOR ROAD
EASTSOUND
www.pebblecovefarm.com
