A pastoral getaway in a custom-crafted mini lodge on our family farm on the Pacific Northwest Peninsula. Washington State Ferry from Seattle to beautiful Kitsap Peninsula. The Red House Farm overlooks the Olalla Valley, where eagles soar and spectacular sunsets paint the sky over the ridge. Tarnside Cottage sleeps 4, in 1 double and 2 memory-foam twin-size beds in a loft above; equipped with hot pot, and 1 ET toilet (odorless, enviro-friendly); hot shower, refrig, hot plate. Tarnside (Anglo-Saxon for beside a small body of water) is a wonderful place to get away from it all, to finish a writing or drawing project, or just to get off grid and rest and relax without the complications of city life. (Brookside and our Gypsy caravan are also available and sleep 2 in a cedar-lined barn-conversion cottage with farm Americana décor, and 4 in Gypsy cart queen and two twins, respectively. Enjoy the privacy of being at the top of the farm with a beautiful view from your front porch of Olalla Valley and the setting sun. Behind Tarnside is a secluded seating area with firepit and BBQ (not available during burn ban). Our Inspiration The inspiration to develop guest lodgings on our farm came from our visits to Banbury Hill Farm in the UK (where the former owner and author Douglas Bond directs the Oxford Creative Writing Master Class) and from Tree House Point in nearby Fall City; we invite you to explore Pete Nelson's (EMAIL HIDDEN) as you consider a wilderness getaway. The Red House Farm is a working family farm in a beautiful hillside setting, with grass-fed beef, organic chickens, goats (currently away), and other furry critters. Currently we have three guest lodgings completed for your repose and relaxation. The saltwater is only three minutes away, Olalla Winery closer still, a corner grocery is a short walk away if you want to heat up soup for your lunch on one of our hotplates, and Al's Pizza (local eatery, grocery, micro brews on tap, and wine tasting) sits right on Colvos Passage looking across to Vashon Island (a recent (2018) Honda ad was filmed along this gorgeous stretch of waterfront roadway). We have hot and cold running water in the kitchenette and shower, but we have chosen to use ET toilets: *Environmental toilets (ETs) are odorless composting toilets, sanitary, finely crafted, comfortable, good for the environment, and simple to use: When you have finished using the toilet, from the bin provided, sprinkle a scoop of cedar sawdust over your waste material and close the lid. No mess, no odor, and, best of all, no effluent in the water table. **November - April** The PNW wet season brings lots of rain and mud. The access to this getaway is steep and unless you have 4-wheel drive or AWD with decent skill you will likely be walking up the hill for your stay. Please book with that detail in mind. We welcome anyone who has always wanted to stay on a working family farm (but without doing any of the work!) There are trails radiating from Tarnside Cottage into the Douglas fir forest, and pastures to stroll along the farm pond and creek, birds to watch (hawks, Bald Eagles, kingfishers, heron, woodpeckers, wood pigeons, and more). You can feed apples to the cows if you'd like or just watch the farm happen all around you. But you are not allowed to do any work! You are to just sit back and relax and watch us do it. Banner Woods is a short drive away and has over 600 acres of well-maintained trails through the forest. Nearby Anderson Point Park has a walking trail (3/4 of a mile) down to the waterfront (you'll feel like you are in the San Juans) with sweeping views of Puget Sound. Gig Harbor is only 15 minutes away with fine dining along the quaint waterfront town (Greenhouse Café is one of our favorites, and Brix 25). Bremerton has the Undersea Museum, and a Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Museum only 20 minutes away. Though you will feel like you are way out in the country, there are theaters, shopping, restaurants, and medical care (St. Anthony's) within 15 minutes of the farm. **November - April** The PNW wet season brings lots of rain and mud. The access to this getaway is steep and unless you have 4-wheel drive or AWD with decent skill you will likely be walking up the hill for your stay. Please book with that detail in mind. This is a tidy working farm, complete with sights, sounds, and smells that farms have.