One of the great things about moving to a new area is I have new territory to explore for my drive bys! I love spotting a charming place, I get so excited! But, since I no longer live in familiar territory, it is a bit harder for me to find these special houses — usually I have no idea where I am going and frequently get lost.
This drive by took place in Gig Harbor, Washington. It was a really cold and cloudy day so I stayed in the car to take the photos, which means my photos are crooked and worst of all, means I could not get back far enough to show you the whole house. And, doing my drive by from inside the car meant some close calls. Driving around in these harbor towns means you are sometimes just a few feet from plunging off a road into Puget Sound. Especially when your head is hanging out the window trying to take a photo from a moving vehicle.
Drive bys are risky, you never know what dangers you might face.
Here is a quick glimpse of the harbor area, on a sunny day you can see Mt. Ranier — it is stunning above the water. I’ll have to go back when the sun is out to show you how truly beautiful it is.
Ok, now on to the houses. My kids laugh at me because I can spot a charming house a mile away and around a corner. In fact, I should have one of those bumper stickers that says “I break for quaint houses” or something corny like that. Anyway, my girls were in the car with me for this drive by — putting up with my sudden breaking and hanging out the window to get these photos. Fun times!
I only have two drive by houses for you today, but they are good ones!
Can anyone tell me what those chains are coming down from the roof?
I saw several houses with those in the area and I had never seen them before.
{Ok, my mom just told me they are there instead of downspouts!! The water runs down the chain!}
Love the garage doors and stone work.
Now onto house two…a charming farmhouse.
Oops, taking photos while rounding corners can be a bit scary for all involved. Sorry for the crooked view!
Oooo, what is that little sweet thing peeking up from the roof?
Ok, there is a close up … how cool is that glass roof?
I bet it looks really pretty from the inside too and lets in lots of light.
My girls and I enjoyed our little drive by adventure,
which ended by sitting in a cafe drinking the most tasty vanilla latte
I have had in a long time!
I love spending time with my girls and I love a good latte.
And I love doing drive bys.
BLISS!
How was your weekend? Did you step away from the computer?
(Don’t forget about Kimba’s unplugged from the computer day…
check it out here!)
The Inspired Room: More Drive Bys
6 Tips to Create the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of
Photos: Melissa Michaels
Hi Melissa. Wow, those are great houses! I love your drive-by story, and I think you really should get that bumper sticker! What a great time you had with your daughters. I’ll bet they’ll remember this day forever. Thanks so much for sharing these lovely photographs. What a beautiful new neighborhood you have! ~Arleen
Arleen @ Seasons for All at Homes inspiring blog post..Inspiration ~ The Shapes of Stairway Banisters
Hi Melissa…..I just had to google those chains….how very sad is that…I was intrigued though…They are called Rain Chains…very strange indeed!!! http://www.rainchain.com/
annes inspiring blog post..This is a test post….
I love your drive bys! I enjoy going for walks and checking out houses. I always imagine who lives in the homes. I’d love to peek inside too. LOL. I don’t embarass myself though.
The homes in your area look so different from homes in the Phoenix area. I love the uniqueness.
Debbies inspiring blog post..Sweet Escapes
Very sweet homes! I was just in Gig Harbor last weekend – on the sunny day – it was absolutley gorgeous!
Aren’t those chains a trip? I like them – no clogged downspouts!
Elaines inspiring blog post..Memory Box Woodland stamp
Water, Trees, Charming houses, boats… an Arizona residents dream drive by’s. I’m afraid if I did drive by’s here they’d all look the same. Granite rock, brown stucco house, cactus or cacti… and if I was really lucky BIG boulders! Charming nes pas?
So glad you didn’t careen off a cliff! Someone’s going to take your license plate and turn you in for stocking… better get certified as a private investigator for good measure!
Love seeing your new stomping grounds.
Love the post!
Pretty Organizers inspiring blog post..Progress: A Sneak Peak at my Kitchen Cabinets
Oh I love the windows on the first house! What gorgeous architecture. And the rain chains are a cool addition…I have never heard of them before and I live in a VERY rainy state!
Mrs. Qs inspiring blog post..Getting There…
Oh my! That harbor is beautiful – I love the picture of the boats. And that first house is absolutely fabulous. The landscaping with the waterfall is stunning and the red garage doors make me smile. Color is always a fun surprise. And who knew there was such as thing as rain chains? Thanks, Anne, for sharing what they are!
What a beautiful place you are privileged to live in, Melissa. Thanks for showing us around!
Kristens inspiring blog post..Uniquely Positioned
You make me laugh! You create quite a word picture – I can just see you hanging out of the car, camera strap slung around your neck, one hand on the wheel, one hand on the camera. Those pictures of Gig Harbour look like something out of a movie. We have those rain chains on quite a lot of houses in Sydney, bit of lateral thinking I guess. Thanks for risking life and limb!
Merediths inspiring blog post..Grateful and Humbled
Isn’t finding new, fun drive-bys an extra perk with the move?? I love the Craftsman style of the newer construction in the PNW. I went to Port Townsend on a similar cloudy, windy day last July and despite the weather it was gorgeous; check it out sometime.
Rainchains are seen often here on very old ( 200 y.o.+) houses. An old idea that is *still* a good idea.
Janet
janets inspiring blog post..THE CAT SAYS IT ALL!
Those are truly beautiful! Thanks for risking your life to snap those for us! Hanging your head out of a moving vehicle sounds dangerous.
~Michelle
I love Washington. My hubby & I first met & fell in love when he was working in Seattle. He live across the street from the Space Needle- it was also there that I really fell in love with Starbucks- Pikes Place Market! Also my father in law recently moved to Whidbey island-have not been to visit but hope to soon.
Amanda-The Eck Lifes inspiring blog post..Garage Sales
You know I love the drive by’s. And now I want to go back to the Pacific NW! Your whole area is just so amazing. Have you been out to the San Juan Islands yet? My first Travel Tale on ForeverWherever tells about our trip to Orcas. It was amazing!
I love, love, love house #1 and I was so excited that I could answer your question about the chains, but Mom had to be the know-it-all.
I would also love to see the inside of that solarium in the farm house. Wow!
Great pictures… oh, and I could live on a boat in that Gig Harbor.
Tim
Remodeling Guys inspiring blog post..Install Wainscoting, Chair Rail, and Paint for Quick New Look – at RG: Express!
I love gig harbor. Our friends live just accross the way in University Place. It is so lovely there! We love visiting.
We have rain chains (on this house and the last). I love them. Way better looking than drain pipes coming down the side of the house, and allows me to direct the water however I want, so I can water my plants and not errod the soil. Not that we get that much rain. I guess we need to make the best use of what we have
Lovely Drive by!
Saras inspiring blog post..Things I can do
I LOVE the gray house–beautiful!
Just wondering…have you peeked at my blog? I’m just wondering because someone from Gig Harbor has stopped by a few times (sitemeter told me…) Is it you?
P.S. Do people ever “catch” you taking photos? What are their reactions?
kirwins inspiring blog post..The Five Dollar Challenge
Wow, it’s lovely there! I’ve been wanting rain-chains for years now… Nobody around me here has them and I forgot where I first saw them – a magazine probably. Since I live in a New England Cape they would be pretty short chains.
grovers inspiring blog post..Newest Residents Of Groverland….
Loved that first house. Those rain chains are so much prettier than spouts- that’s for sure!
That glass doesn’t seem to be over a room. I am wondering if they have a mini greenhouse on the roof?
What a nice area to drive through!
ginas inspiring blog post..accessorize your space with stainless steel
Oh my goodness…loved your drive bys- wish I was in the car with you. I did a little of that in my daughters town this weekend. I would love rain chains….plus the woodpeckers couldn’t fill them with acorns.
I would also like to see in that home with the glass roof- how amazing.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great day.
teresas inspiring blog post..A great adventure-
Those rain drains come in some very artistic versions as well. I bet this summer if you frequent some of the farmers markets you’ll find some. I’ve seen some made out of copper in bell shapes that are so pretty, especially as the copper changes color from oxidation.
Have you checked out Queen Anne yet in Seattle? Some darling places there. Oh, and you should definitely check out my local town, historic Snohomish, Washington. There are some adorable quaint and historic Victorian type homes here.
Just adding to your list of places to see up here. It’s never ending. I love it up here in the Pacific Northwest. Oh, and don’t forget the tulip fields in Mt. Vernon and La Conner next month (April) .
Claire (Little Miss)s inspiring blog post..Chilled to the bone
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for sharing those pictures with us. My Dad lives only twenty minutes from Gig harbor. He spends his summers there because here in Louisiana its a bit too hot for him. He will be leaving home and head your way around mid June. I miss him so much while he is gone but looking at your pictures I can see why he loves it there so much. In fact he has just bought more property there and wants us to move. Not sure I could stand the cold wet days for too long. If we did move there coming home during the winter would not be an option for us due to my husband having to work,sigh. I will ask him about the chains and see if he has them on his house. Wonder why they dont use gutter’s. Maybe because of snow or the leaves?….. Thanks again for sharing your town and allowing me to see the beauty so far away from us. Take care, Susie
Susie Harriss inspiring blog post..Day dreamin’
Wow… those houses are incredible. I feel like I get to see a part of the country I might not otherwise visit.
Maureens inspiring blog post..Sad Day
Oh my! The things you do for us! Take care of yourself out there.
I enjoyed seeing this charming community and the houses that you selected for us. I really like the first best and, if those chains work, they are far more attractive than downspouts, which are, in my opinion, about the ugliest things to hang off a house ever.
Vees inspiring blog post..Consider the Tulips
I was going to answer your question about the chains also! Your mom is on the job!
I loved seeing these houses…I love driving in new areas and finding cute houses….it is fun…I have my kids doing it now – we will be driving along and I will hear “There’s MY house” They love it, and so do I!
Mrs.Rabes inspiring blog post..This and That
Not really related to this post (although I love the houses), but thanks for visiting my blog. I’ve been a stalker of The Inspired Room so I was excited to see your comment.
I don’t know what it is about green. I’ve never really liked it before but now I can’t get enough. Good luck on decorating your new house; so much fun!
Karens inspiring blog post..Top 5 Home Accessories For Your Favorite Reading Corner
I think I’m moving to Gig Harbor! What a gorgeous place. I haven’t been there since I lived in Washington when I was 21…Many Moons ago! Your drive-bys are fabulous!
Hugs, Susan
I agree Gig Harbor is such a charming town. One day you have to come to our Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island is wonderful to. Clarice
Thanks for the beautiful pictures-what a wonderful place to live-the Pacific Northwest is indeed amazing!
Don’t know why they don’t use gutters, (perhaps because of heavy snow?) but over here in Central Oregon rain chains are everywhere-and they look so beautiful in the winter time when covered in ice! I love them, and we’re planning on installing some at our house!
Enjoy exploring your new area!
Before we built our new house that looks old, I would pile our four children, ages six and under, into my old pickup truck and drive around on the dirt backroads looking for old houses to get ideas from. A lot of them were abandoned, so we were able to see the insides too. I would always go first and scope things out just in case there were snakes or rotten floorboards.
I love exploring and looking at beautiful houses. Beautiful to me is a shabby farmhouse that’s seen much wear and tear. Thanks for sharing houses on the opposite shore from mine!
debbie baileys inspiring blog post..A Cool Photo
OK – I’m pretty sure that gray house is my dream house. It’s beautiful!
AnNicole@OurSuburbanCottages inspiring blog post..Cute as a Button
Those homes are charming! We went to Seattle in 2004 and loved it. It was a business trip so didn’t get to see as much as I hoped to, but what I did see was great!
Our Creative Lifes inspiring blog post..Our Spring Break
Is that a sun room? How cool is that?
songbirdtiffs inspiring blog post..Dollars and Cents (Radiohead)
Oh how funny you driveby Gig Harbor and I am in Gig Harbor babysitting for a week.
I love GH.. I have always wanted to live here..and my daughter moved here.. At least I get to come and visit. I love the rain chains also. You can get them that make noise like bells also. Where do you live?
Joy
I lived in Gig Harbor most of my life and still live close – just across the Narrows Bridge. I plan on moving back one day. The farmers market May thru October is fantastic – check it out.
The second house is my all time favorite in GH, and I know the dentist who owns it! You have to go by it at Christmas time – gorgeous! There is usually a german shepherd on the roof above the garage!
I’m a huge fan of t your drive buys! The first picture was full of goodies, loved the driveway… so many fun homes,
LuLu
LuLus inspiring blog post..My Country Morning….
Gig Harbor is so charming. I’ve only been there once but would love to return.
I went away for the weekend with my husband and had a wonderful time being unplugged! We took in a live theatre production which is so different from plugging a movie into the DVD! Both are great in unique ways.
Lorrie
Your a little ways from my cute little town…Snohomish. It is further up north off I5. But if you get the chance to visit bring your camera…tons of beautiful homes! Great pie and shopping too!
Leahs inspiring blog post..his name is baby
Not sure if you knew it or not, but the first house you profiled is currently for sale. No signs out front as they don’t want a ton of “drive-by’s”, but it’s an amazing home! If you’re ever curious to peek inside, let me know.
Matt Thomsons inspiring blog post..Sunrise View Homes open—and a few others
I absolutely love the Puget Sound coastal communities.
I always enjoy your drive-by shots. I was in Portland just two months ago and my friend took me around to some wonderful neighbourhoods. I just love this part of the United States. There was something breezy about the homes there and your pics reminded me of that trip. Thx for sharing them. They’re great!
The Scribblers inspiring blog post..Perfectly Zen
It is so exciting to me to see seashore houses on the other side of the country! I had no idea about those chains either, so thank you and your mom for the information. Also, that little green house roof? How cool is that!
♥, Susan
black eyed susans kitchens inspiring blog post..LEARNING TO LOVE BLUE MONDAY’S
Those are gorgeous pictures, I love that architecture! Thanks for sharing.
Kimm at Reinventeds inspiring blog post..Thrifty Teacher Gifts
I live in Olympia, in the Historic District, surrounding the Capital buildings. You should do a drive by here someday! There are a lot of beautiful homes and buildings here.
I have a camera in my car for special houses such as these. oh! my dream of owning a shingled house. and the color of the top house is perfect. it’s just so yummy. and to now be moving to anacortes? i could imagine a more perfect locale for a shingled house. some day……
i love your drive bys. i will be copying you on my blog some day and i will let you know what i find here in salt lake city.
Noelle Tomcos inspiring blog post..There is trouble off the wagon
I just LOVE your drive bys!!! You always find the sweetest houses! I, too loved the stone on the first house and that glass roof thingy is wonderful….I want to go INSIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!
What gorgeous homes and Gig Harbor is so fun to say!
Laura Ingalls Gunns inspiring blog post..Easter Giveaway
i love love love that first one…made my mouth fall open! i always want to knock on the door and take a peek inside…even though my husband would fall on the ground if i even got close to the chance!
looks like a beautiful place you found to reside…can’t wait to see more!
Thanks for the drive by. I love seeing houses.
SoBella Creationss inspiring blog post..Designs By Nora
Great pics, thats my kind of neighborhood…wow rainchains, havent seen them since i was a kid
CatHerders inspiring blog post..Just cuz i dont have enough to do
THAT’S MY HOME TOWN!!!
I grew up in Gig Harbor…
*sigh*
I can’t wait to move back.
I keep reminding myself that I am only temporarily stuck in Seattle… someday I will escape.
One of the big benefits of the rain chains (besides it’s uniqueness) is that is really a lovely sound. When you CAN hear it, it’s a very quiet trickeling… not the tin-can sound of gutters.
Chelles inspiring blog post..Terrible picture… fun sign
My husband and I love to do drive bys on Saturday mornings. (with a donut and a cup of Dunkin Donut coffee, of course!) Great finds!
Katie @ Clean & Classic Interiorss inspiring blog post..The 5 Dollar Challenge
What a lovely home and area! I dare you, just once: instead of just a driveby, do a walk-up. Knock and ask to take inside photos….ok, I know that’s nuts, but I really want to see the interiors!
Thanks for sharing all that you do!
Sunday Bakers inspiring blog post..Napkin Origami: Easter Rabbit