1105 W Herron Blvd NW, Lakebay
Listed $400,000/Sold $410,000
2 Beds
1.5 Baths
1,215 Sq Ft
18,000 Sq Ft Lot
The Home - From a rise on the western shore of Herron Island, this single-level home overlooks Case Inlet and the Olympics. Colors change with the light and seasons, but the beauty remains steadfast, a daily companion to life. Front room windows frame the water and snowy peaks and a sliding door opens to the newly-built deck. First owned by ferry captain Charlie Wells, namesake of the island ferry, updates include bedroom carpet and windows, renovated baths, and new kitchen flooring. The pace of life is measured in kayak excursions, community potlucks and hours looking out over the Salish Sea. Ride the ferry home with a load of groceries and feel the curtain fall on all the bustle, exchange it for beaches, whale sightings, slow roads and quiet nights.
Island Life & Community - Island life, as described by the homeowners, is a life of leaving the door unlocked, a life of calling neighbors to stoke the fire in the stove when coming home on the late ferry, a life of being drawn—constantly—to the front windows, of looking out at the mountains while drinking morning coffee, a life of sitting on the deck in the sunshine, of watching the surface of the water shift with the weather.
Though many live on the island seasonally, a strong, year-round community abides, welcoming those who come for summers, and supporting each other no matter the season. Residents gather for weekly yoga, monthly craft night, boosters meetings, volunteer events, and truly celebratory holidays. Memorial Day will be celebrated with pickleball, soccer, cotton candy, live music at North Beach, a Memorial Lantern Ceremony, a Flag Raising Ceremony, and a merchandise sale with coffee and danishes. Starting to feel homey? Not too long after, the island community will celebrate the 4th of July weekend with a fishing derby, baseball, live music, an arts festival, a community parade, fireworks, and a local food truck.
The Ferry - Life on the island also means adapting to life with the Charlie Wells ferry. Loading to unloading, the ferry crossing from Herron Island to the Key Peninsula takes about 15 minutes. Yes, one needs to plan, to keep the schedule in mind, and arrange off-island errands and activities around the ferry. But the structure of the ferry keeps time on the island simpler. How many times do we squeeze one more thing in just because we can? How often might life resemble the vision we have for ourselves if we didn’t try to do one more thing? Getting off the ferry and driving onto the island brings a feeling of peace and clarity—perhaps enough is really enough.
Feeling drawn to know more about this home and community? Continue on for the video tour, photos, details, and a list of 20 destinations, parks, and services nearby.
Preinspection: A recent seller-procured home inspection is completed and attached to the seller’s disclosure. Available upon request.
Single Level Living
Entry
2 Bedrooms
1.5 Baths
Living & Dining
Kitchen
Front Sitting Room
Laundry
Garage & Garden
2-Car Garage
Newly-Built Deck
0.413 Acre Lot
Private Driveway
Paved Parking Area
Fenced Side Yard
Covered Firewood Area
Sloping Lawn
Herron Island
Private Island Open to Residents & Their Guests
North Beach Park - Docks, Enclosed Swimming Area, Boat Launch, Picnic Shelter, Playground
South Beach Park - Natural Beach Park
Goodpastor Park & Wetlands
Nature Park
Community Building & Fire Station
Monthly & Annual Community Events
Charlie Wells Ferry Service - 8 to 10 Trips Daily
HOA $300/Month
Floor Plan
Front Room & Deck
This is the part of the home that beckons from the entry. No matter the season or time of day, the front windows draw people down the hallway and into the heart of the home where Olympic Peaks rise in the distance and the waters of Case Inlet reflect the sky. The front room—wrapped in windows, with a wooden ceiling gleaming above—opens to the newly built deck. The front room and deck are partners, taking turns with the seasons. Perhaps you’ll find yourself looking out at sunsets and sailboats from the deck in spring and summer. A blanket and a cup of tea in the front sitting room sounds right for windy winter.
Kitchen
A skylight above, windows to the water, a pass-through to the front sitting room, new flooring, and what the homeowners have deemed the perfect kitchen layout. Everything one needs is handy, and the open design lends itself well to hosting.
Living & Dining
The living and dining room share an open space beside the kitchen at the front of the home where western light fills the windows into the evening. A wood-burning stove is wrapped in a brick hearth and wooden mantel. A weeping cherry blooms just outside the windows in spring. Whether it's time to play cards, eat dinner, have a party, or settle in with a book, the windows frame white-capped mountains and boats sailing by on the sound.
Bedrooms & Entry Hall
Step into the entry hall from the main door or from the garage. The stained wooden ceiling echos the front sitting room. A closet waits ahead, and the bedrooms and bathrooms are each nearby. The bedrooms were updated with new windows and fresh carpet just 2 1/2 years back.
Bathrooms & Laundry
Located in the entry hall and just outside the primary bedroom, the full bath is renovated with details like a reclaimed wood countertop and vessel sink. Both bathrooms include new flooring among their updates.
The half bath stands just beyond the 2nd bedroom near the entrance to the open living and dining area. A sliding wooden door opens from the half bath into the laundry room.
2-Car Garage & 18,000 Sq ft lot
A private gravel drive leads from Herron Blvd NW up to a paved parking area bordered by a retaining wall. Park outside or in the spacious 2-car garage. The garage includes storage/workshop space, and a door out the back of the garage opens to a covered area perfect for storing firewood. Inside, pull a stair ladder down from the ceiling to access the attic storage above. From its vantage at the top of the 0.413 acre lot, the home overlooks the grounds and the views beyond. An enclosed shade garden to one side is a “deer free” area. Deer are plentiful on the island, something to keep in mind when designing gardens. If you’re not trying to keep them out of the roses, their presence is picturesque.
Location
People talk about “island time” and the thing is, life does shift into a different pace when spent here on this 1.25 mile long island in the Salish Sea. Certainly, you can bring some of your busyness with you if you insist, but it won't follow unless you invite it along. If you let it, life on the island will have you taking your time. Sit by a window and look out a while. Find your way to a Little Free Library—see if you can locate all seven—and maybe you’ll see the island’s book of the month on the shelf. Read on the deck in summer, by a wood stove in winter, put a kayak in the water and paddle, pull on your boots or sandals and get yourself to the beach.
Open your eyes and watch for orcas, Dall porpoises, minke whales, osprey, bald eagles, Great Blue Heron, harbor seals, and plenty of deer. Islanders with boats have been known to cross south to Olympia and return home laden with farmers market treasures. Whether you swim, sail, paddle, row, or ski, life here invites you to the water.
Mark the calendar for community meetings and potlucks, for a 4th of July parade, fishing derby, jazz band, arts festival, and fireworks. See how many nights you can leave open, maybe the neighbors will pop by, maybe you’ll give weekly yoga a try once you’ve had a few days to settle in. The time on the ferry, this short ride from shore to shore, initiates a transformation, opens a new page, and invites you into a simpler structure, into island time.
The sight of saltwater and Olympic Mountains fill the windows of 1105 W Herron Blvd NW and two beach parks mean all islanders can spend time on the shore and get out on the water. North Beach Park offers a boat launch, barbecue sites, a swimming area, picnic shelter, designated fire pit, portable toilets, and the North Beach Boat Docks available in the summer months. South Beach Park is an undeveloped, natural Pacific Northwest beach accessible by trail. Pack a picnic, look for beach glass and agates, go clamming or crabbing, and enjoy the view. Goodpastor Park on the island’s interior is the place to go for basketball, baseball, an open sports area, and playground too.
To get to know the community better, we recommend reading the friendly and informative Beachcomber newsletter. The herronisland.org site is fun to browse for a sense of the history of the island and the daily life of islanders. May we also suggest the lighthearted Herron Island Trivia Quiz? You won’t be sorry.
Take a look at our list of 20 local destinations to get an even better idea of where this home and neighborhood fit in the wider community.
20 Favorite Local Destinations & Services
On Island - Drive times from 1105 W Herron Blvd NW
Goodpastor Park & Wetlands: 0.2 miles, 1 minute
Community Building & Fire Station: 0.2 miles, 1 minute
Nature Park: 0.3 miles, 1 minute
Ferry Dock: 0.7 miles, 3 minutes
North Beach Park: 0.6 miles, 3 minutes
South Beach Park: 0.7 miles, 4 minutes
Off Island - Drive times from Mainland Ferry Dock
Cities & Towns
Key Center: 8.6 miles, 13 minutes
Downtown Gig Harbor: 22.2 miles, 33 minutes
Tacoma: 26 miles, 35 minutes (45 to downtown)
Groceries, Supplies & Services
Lakebay Post Office in Home: 3.2 miles, 6 minutes
Key Center Library: 8.4 miles, 13 minutes
Sunnycrest Nursery: 8.5 miles, 13 minutes
Food Market at Key Center: 8.5 miles, 14 minutes
Parks & Activities
Penrose Point State Park: 5.3 miles, 12 minutes
Key Peninsula Civic Center: 8.6 miles, 14 minutes
Dining & Drinks
Two Fox Winery: 3.7 miles, 8 minutes
Lakebay Marina & Resort: 4 miles, 8 minutes
Close to Home Espresso: 8.5 miles, 14 minutes
Madrona Cafe: 8.6 miles, 13 minutes
El Sombrero Family Mexican: 8.6 miles, 13 minutes
More Information From the Listing Agent
Come see this home Herron Island view home in person to get a feel for the layout, style, size, and location.
And feel free to call or text me, Michael Duggan, at 253-226-2787. I’ll be happy to answer your questions about this property, or talk with you about the local real estate market in general.