The end of our 7 week odyssey....Gig Harbor, WA

Coastal living did a survey of best costal towns to move to a while back and Gig Harbor, Washington was their pick in the US NW coast.  In their words.... "After canvassing all coasts for towns with seaside charm, a lively beach culture, and good housing, these are our top spots for planning quick trips or finding a new place to live.  This Washington enclave astounds newcomers
with its rare beauty and rich maritime history.  As the sun rises over Gig Harbor, sailboat masts and stately evergreens stretch toward the sky. The pale outline of Mount Rainier is sketched into the horizon. Within the serene setting, two redheaded boys carry a rail-thin kayak to the public dock for an early paddle. In this Washington community, locals don't want to waste a minute of the new day.

"We wake up every morning to incredible beauty―the mountains and rippling harbor. You never take it for granted," says Janis Denton, owner of the Waterfront Inn. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, she says, "creates a psychological break from the rest of the world. We will always stay peaceful because of the surrounding water."

Geography has long defined the town's identity. For more than 100 years, fishing, boatbuilding, logging, and farming dominated life in Gig Harbor. This place once boasted the largest fishing fleet in the Pacific Northwest. "

We concur, and if Donna were to retire for good, this town would be at the top of our list to retire to.  Luckily for  us, our good friends the Gutmans moved here two years ago, and we are visiting at least once a year (Donna usually a couple of times).  While here for 5 nights we did some casual real estate looking in the area (i.e. driving all around and looking at homes from the street), walked the Gutman dogs in a different area park every night, I went kayaking for an afternoon, did a great bike ride to Tacoma over the Tacoma Narrows bridge, and we celebrated Donna's birthday at a harbor side concert (a regular Tuesday night event in the summer in Gig Harbor).  Now if I could get Donna to retire for good............