You can't conceive of this amazing setting until you experience first-hand. By the end of our week stay we'd ventured out to taste-test the highlights of N/S Pender Island including artist studios, boutiques, a winery, a farmer's market, and the local 'shopping area' for grocery, liquor, bakery and take-out lunch items ... but while all were very pleasant none compared to this property -- you just simply don't want to leave!
After the first day, every other began at the crack of dawn by our toddler's command ("Outside! Outside! Water! Water!") who was as taken as we by the soft pebble-strewn beach and view of passing otters, seabirds, and seals. Grab your coffee, shovel, pail and children and adults alike will happily spend a few hours watching the world wake up. Back to the house for breakfast and seagazing at the stunning view provided by the wraparound porch, then change into swimsuits and return to the water, too frigid even in July for swimming, but perfectly lovely for a quick dip, rock throwing, stone skipping, fishing, reading, sunning, sea creature seeking.
As the day grows older you realize the beach serves as a path to a beautiful nature walk ... which affords passing conversations with a few locals and fellow visitors. Suddenly, there's a buzz of boat activity offshore, a sure indication a pod of orca whales are within sight. So you scramble up the cliffside to see the show and marvel with a few others lucky enough to catch the moment. Where else can an 18 month old get so close he learns that a whale goes "pssshhhhhhhh!" by hearing the sound of water leaving the blowhole as it arcs out of the water!
So, you flow in and out of the house for meals ... down to and back up from the beach for entertainment ... pausing to watch the bald eagle fly back and forth overhead now that he's used to your presence ... or to watch in awe as container ships slide quietly by, leaving a wake of waves to play in ... while looking forward to the visits from the local deer who will emerge daily at dusk and dawn. The sun sets at 10 allowing the bliss stretch on and on until you finally allow yourself to go to sleep -- knowing it will all be there for you in the morning to enjoy, again.
Add to this a VERY responsive and professional owner and a spacious, clean, well maintained, comfortable home and you'll want to return before you've even left! Many thanks for the unmatched experience - we hope to visit again soon.