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<\/a><\/p>\nWhen did it all begin? According to their website, the Gerlicher family purchased Bell Island in 2003 and began designing their new home. It took them until 2006 to secure the necessary building permits from San Juan County before they could hire a contractor from nearby Orcas Island to begin the actual construction.\u00a0At the time of purchase, a small guest house with a pump house enclosing a water tank stood on the north shore.<\/p>\n
Today, the new master house sits on Bell Island\u2019s sunny, southern shore where the family can wave to passing ferries and pleasure boats in Wasp Passage. And those of us afloat can wave in return! A shop was built to provide storage, room for projects, and enclose additional underground water tanks. What I found interesting is that recycled old growth logs were acquired from several old saw mill buildings built in 1915 from Bend, Oregon, for the beams and supports, while\u00a0the old fir and pine lumber were used for flooring. See-through fireplaces are enjoyed on\u00a0all three floors.<\/p>\n
Scuba diving is one\u00a0of the most popular activities in the San Juan Islands and Bell Island is a favorite spot. Here\u00a0are a few photos of the critters these deep water fans see that you and I miss. Creatures like the Sea Clown Nudibranch or sea slug, the Grunt Sculpin, as well as the Snakelocks Anemone\u00a0with a Candy Stripe Shrimp.<\/p>\n Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons<\/em><\/p>\n Thank you for dreaming with me!<\/p>\n Blessings,<\/p>\n Deb<\/p>\n Curiosity is my middle name. A few years ago, Bell Island, an approximately four-acre island in Wasp Passage sprouted a new timber-framed \u201ccastle\u201d on its south shore. Its appearance prompted me to imagine what it\u2019d be like to live on … Continue reading <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"