New Beginnings

Hello -- If you've found our blog, you're likely in the process of searching for a new condo home. We have directed you here, to offer you a more complete picture of our home, its beautiful setting and the special community which surrounds us. Why blog about a condo for sale? Well there are a few reasons. It's no secret these are tough times for many home sellers. It's a true buyer's market and we believe we have a property that's worth taking the time to see. We also hope to answer one of the first questions we always have when searching for real estate. If this place is so great -- why are these people selling it? Does a professional tap dancer (who only practices between 2 and 4 a.m. ) live upstairs? Does the unit have a fabulous territorial view of the . . . dumpsters. You know the feeling! You just wish you knew more about the particulars of this property than a standard walk through with your agent can tell you. In this blog, throughout the process connecting with the next resident for our home, we plan to draw a more comprehensive picture of what your experience might be, both living in the condo and enjoying time in the community. We will link you to information about the area, to help you better visualize the range of possibilities. So read on. We hope you choose to come and see this unique setting. Only so much of the truly panoramic views of Squak and Tiger Mtns. can be appreciated it still photos.

One Bedroom - Seriously ?

Never in a million years were Ray and I looking at 1 bedroom condos. Are you kidding me? We were living in a 3 bedroom home with a bonus room. Yes, we had agreed that downsizing was a good thing but . . . When we started looking we weren’t sure about fitting ourselves into the most common condo configuration – a two bedroom home. Each time I came across the listing and saw this picture, I was so intrigued. Where was this condo surrounded by such a natural setting? But wait STOP, I would scroll down and remind myself, it was one bedroom (only size available at that point) – can’t be done. Finally after looking at another condo in Issaquah, we decided we just had to take a look at this place. Not really an option but, it’s not going to hurt just to see what it’s like. Maybe it was just us, but once we saw the unit and then stepped out on the deck and breathed in Squak Mtn. rising directly in front of us and Tiger Mtn. (complete with paragliders drifting off to our left) . . . Well let’s just say we were prepared to jettison just about anything it took to move into this place. Amazingly, though we didn’t have to sacrifice that much. With a large storage closet inside the unit, another on the deck and a third in the garage we were able to bring everything we needed and WANTED with us and it fit just fine. There was also a real upside to not having too much extra space. Over the 5+ years we’ve been here, the size of the unit has dovetailed quite nicely with the emerging “Green Thinking”. There is no extra space to just dump stuff you don’t want to decide about and before you buy another item because you might use it someday, you stop and think!

A River Runs Through It (Well A Creek)

It's actually pretty cool having an address on Cabin Creek Lane. We're all used to the creativity of developers and the nature evoking names they like to give developments and streets. In this case there is indeed a Cabin Creek, which run through the property and connects to the larger Issaquah Creek down the hill below us. Best of all these lovely natural water features are close -- but not so close you need to worry about them creeping through your front door during flood conditions. (OK, so not too likely on the second floor anyway, but nice none the less.) Picture # 1 is the small but charming Cabin Creek. Picture 2 is Issaquah Creek which borders this property and runs throughout downtown Issaquah.

A Room With a View

You know how when you're looking at an online listing -- and there's this really nice shot titled "View" ? If only you could really know where that shot was taken and with how much zoom. We are blessed to have really beautiful views you don't have to hang out the bathroom window or climb on the roof to see. These two pictures were both taken from our deck. This deck is directly adjacent to the livingroom and diningroom. The very same vistas are visible from the livingroom slider and in the diningroom through large corner windows, as the virtual tour shows. No zoom, no ladders -- just Ahhhhhhhh! Nice !

Maximum Accessibility

Hikers Heaven ! Starting with a trail that skirts the eastern boundary of our property, Issaquah has almost endless options for everyone from the rookie hiker who wants a nice gentle walk in the woods, to those who strike out on multiple day adventures. Virtually everywhere you walk in downtown Issaquah you will "cross paths" with hiking/biking/horseback trails that follow throughout Tiger, Squak and Cougar Mountains and beyond. Both the Issaquah Alps Trail Club website http://www.issaquahalps.org/ or this City of Issaquah link www.ci.issaquah.wa.us/Page.asp?NavID=526 offer a wealth of information on opportunities, to not only enjoy /walking/hiking, but ways to contribute your time to the ongoing stewardship of the vast Cascade foothills trail system.

Don't Have to Cook !

Fajitas, Porterhouse and Ribs -- Oh My ! At most recent count there are eight restaurants within a mile of Kelkari (not always a good thing for the waistline). Three of our favorites are Las Margaritas for excellent Mexican food *( website currently under re-construction), Stan's Barbeque http://www.stansbarbq.com/ where they somehow manage to hire the world's most genuinely friendly staff and serve the most tender, flavorable meats, simply and comfortably, and Jak's Grill http://www.jaksgrill.com/ where the first bite of a burger, steak dinner, or the wonderful brunch benedict, makes your soul sing, DO NOT WATCH THE SLIDE SHOW ON THEIR WEBSITE WHEN YOU'RE HUNGRY. In addition, the Issaquah Brewhouse http://www.rogue.com/ is another favorite spot for locals - especially on temperate days, spring through fall when patrons relax and chat at sunny side walk tables.

Some of Our Best Natural Places

One of our favorite things about this location is how easy it is to jump on I-90 east and explore all the scenery, as the foothills give way to the Cascade Mountains. Even on a slightly extended lunch break you can really get in touch with nature in a number of beautiful relaxing parks and nature areas. Or with a few hours to spare you can make a run to the Summit at Snoqualmie for skiing and snowboarding. http://www.summitatsnoqualmie.com/

One exit east of us is Tradition Plateau, a park that offers everything from easy walks on forested level paths to connecting trails leading throughout Tiger Mountain. A few minutes farther east and you can visit Snoqualmie Falls and watch from several vantage points as the falls plummet off the craggy rocks to the river below. Having visited the falls for more than 30 years, we had the first chance this winter to see it in icy glory. Pretty amazing.