Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
21
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are long-time islanders. Mike & Robin built their small home on their Mt Dallas 10 acres many years ago & daughter Rose, who was born & raised on San Juan Island, has more recently built her own straw bale home next door with her partner Paul. We are trying to live in harmony with the Earth, growing food for ourselves and others, recycling what we can and producing a minimum of waste. It is a beautiful life in a beautiful place.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Rose, Mike, & Robin have traveled in many parts of the world and we have learned so much from our travels. One thing it's taught us is gratitude and that we wish to share our beautiful home with other travelers.
Rose is a mental health care professional and an herbalist, she has also worked as a Vipassana meditation instructor.
Robin and Mike, Rose's parents, live next door to Rose. Mike is a cabinet maker & Robin is an antiques dealer and artist. We all have lots of skills, life experience, and love to offer, we are also reasonably conversant in Spanish.Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
This summer, besides the usual maintenance, gardening, & firewood chores, we will be needing help with a few building projects. Some carpentry skills would be appreciated but it's nothing that's too complicated. Mike is a skilled carpenter & will be able to work with a helper. As for the other chores, people who can work without supervision would be greatly appreciated as we are also working and can't be around all of the time.
We also care for a big organic raspberry patch and a large garden. Come grow food sustainably with us! Seasonally, much of our meals come from the garden and the forest. We harvest cultivated and wild plants for medicine for ourselves and the community.
Projects for 2024;
-A small shed
-Remodeling the bathroom
-Building a small greenhouse
-Seal exterior wall of the straw bale house.
-A few outdoor painting projects
-Harvest cherries, apples and plums. Make cider.
-Cut firewood for next winter.
Finally, there are all of the hard but enjoyable and satisfying tasks of being good stewards of our land. Pulling invasive species, general weeding, mowing, clearing, fence and building maintenance, trail work, firewood, etc. There are so many ways to get your hands dirty here.Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
Would like to learn Italian...Accommodation
We have a private one-acre field in the back of the property surrounded by trees. Bring your own tent, camper van, and/or car. You will awaken to frog and birdsong every morning! All accommodations are fairly rustic, but also clean and quiet. Suitable for couples, friends, or individuals.
Fresh well water onsite. Outdoor sink and shower with on-demand heater plus a pond. There is an outhouse onsite.
Ample camp kitchen with propane stoves & oven under a circus tent! We will stock the kitchen with basic ingredients plus veggies and fruit from the garden. There is the use of a freezer & refrigerator nearby. Thursday nights are an outdoor family potluck.
There are many farms nearby for buying additional food, as well as a food-coop, weekly farmer's market, and two grocery stores.What else ...
The San Juan Islands sit in one of the most beautiful corners of the Pacific Northwest. Roughly midway between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., it is a 1 hour ferry ride from the mainland. Hike, swim, lounge on the beaches, ride bikes, kayak, explore! Two National Parks, a State Park, a County Park and other public lands nearby with many trails & beaches to enjoy. Right down the road ¼mi/500m is the Ihiya Biological Reserve which was created by Rose. Mike makes the maps for the local Trails Committee and is happy to share them with you. We also have bikes you can borrow if you'd like to.
During the summer the island has frequent live music venues as well as a lavender festival, an arts festival and outdoor live Shakespeare. Nearby is the wonderful Alchemy Art Center which hosts art classes.
In the past we have taken Workawayers hiking, to concerts, to the county fair, to garage sales, looking for whales, geocaching & to parties. We've hosted their visiting friends & families & shared potluck dinners. We've even had a talent show night around the campfire which was a lot of fun.
We are located about six miles/10km from the small town of Friday Harbor. Just about anything you may need is available there. (if they don't have it do you really need it?)
We try to recycle as much as possible and have recycling bins available. No illegal drugs or cigarettes/vaping onsite, please. Alcohol in moderation.
There is internet available near the main houses. It's pretty slow. Cell service is sketchy, T-mobile is the best (2 bars). For others you may have to go into town.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
plenty of space for tents, campervans and recreational vehicles. Water but no other hook-ups.
Can possibly accept pets
Pets that are well-behaved are fine! They have to be able to get along with other pets and farm animals. We'll talk over the details when we are connecting about your visit.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, flexible
Feedback (12)
Mike, Robin, Rose and Paul are all so kind, unique and generous souls! They always took care, that everything I need was provided and even before being there, Mike helped me to find the best way… read more
Mike and family very welcoming.
easy going work exchange with many opportunities for connecting with people, solitude, exploring, Raspberries, etc.
Family very generous in times of need (van troubles😉) too!
hope to get back soon to these dear friends...
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
Mike, Robin, Rose and Paul are all so kind, unique and generous souls! They always took care, that everything I need was provided and even before being there, Mike helped me to find the best way… read more
Mike and family very welcoming.
easy going work exchange with many opportunities for connecting with people, solitude, exploring, Raspberries, etc.
Family very generous in times of need (van troubles😉) too!
hope to get back soon to these dear friends...
My partner, Andy, and I enjoyed our solo time tending the gardens and berries, and also our time working side by side with the family.
We were… read more
(They deactivate the profile for the winter, so I was unable to leave a review right away.)
We really enjoyed the time we spent getting to know everyone,… read more
We helped plastering the whole second floor of the future house. Rosa was really available for questions and made us really feel welcome.
We enjoyed sharing times all, learning and just having good times in this beautiful nature:)
Life’s good on San… read more
She’s a hard worker, but she also likes to relax. She is serious when it counts, and full of laughter all the other times. I knew we were meant to become friends when she spent most of our first Skype meeting cracking quirky… read more
This was my first Workaway experience, and the first time I have ever traveled alone. Despite my travel fears, I felt very safe. They made me feel very welcome, valued, respected, and cared for. Not to mention, they're just fun to… read more