Storybook Farm Cottage

Fall asleep gazing at majestic evergreen trees through the glass ceiling of this dreamy romantic cottage with antique soaking tub on our dog & child-friendly organic hobby farm located just minutes from the Mukilteo ferry and the charming sea town of Langley. Interact with sassy swan-like sebastopol geese or a kaleidoscope of 50ish chickens and two brother rescue goats named Frank and Petunia. Groomed trails lead to a 100 acre nature preserve managed by our neighbors The Whidbey Institute. The space Jeff and I have enjoyed being the caretakers of this forested place since 2012. This has been an idyllic location to raise chickens, geese, goats and children. We are now working on the next phase of our dream: a community of tiny cabins and other unique spaces to offer folks wanting to reconnect with nature. The four cabins are perfect for extended families or friends wanting to share a unique retreat space that still affords privacy. Each unique cottage cabin offers the same awesome farm birds, goats, campfire, trails and private bath suites. Some bath suites are en suite, others are a short stroll from their cabin. All are decorated with individuality and all boast heated toilet seats, soaking tubs, and oodles of sparkly vintage chandeliers too, of course.... Here’s the links to our other three cottage cabins: The Mother Goose Cabin airbnb.com/h/storybookfarm-mother-goose-cabin The Christopher Robin Writer’s Cabin airbnb.com/h/storybookfarm-christopher-robin-writers-cabin The Briar Rose Cottage airbnb.com/h/storybookfarm-briar-rose-cabin Though we are only minutes from the conveniences of the city, our home is surrounded by giant trees, whispering wind, woodland creatures and feels much like something from yesteryear. Squirrels and bunnies can usually be spotted scurrying around the rhodondendrums and ferns. Hummingbirds, red-breasted robins, blue-feathered jays, regal hawks and eagles are frequent visitors. In the forest, expect to see white-tailed deer, hear red feathered woodpeckers drilling into treetrunks and mama chipmunks barking from tree branches. In the quiet of the night, the calls of hootie owls and distant coyotes and raccoons rustling leaves are often heard. Springtime brings the riotous song of tiny frogs called spring peepers and is a favorite lullaby. On clear nights, our view of the sky offers a breathtaking display of twinkly stars. Look for the Big Dipper. Here, one can easily lose themselves in the beauty and simplicity of nature. Guest access We happily host children and well-behaved leashed-at-all-times dogs. Enjoy full access to the farm animals and trails. The bonfire area and guest laundry closet (which features a super cool laundry machine that is both a washer and dryer) is shared with other guests. Each of our four cabins are completely private with its own outdoor space equipped with a propane bbq grill and are guest only accessed. Other things to note Whidbey Island is notorious for weak cell signals. Wind storms can cause power outages...though we are fully prepared with a generator and lumberjack ;) Buildings are of lovingly reclaimed materials... windows may be drafty. Propane heaters are in place but temperatures can fluctuate. Quilts and warm cups of tea are in abundance. Please let us know if you are bringing children or a dog so that we may wrangle up the birds into their enclosures before you arrive. Speaking of children, we have young ones. Though we have instructed our littlest hosts to not bother our new "friends", if unsolicited bear hugs or visits are offensive, this is probably not the right place for you. Please let us know if you would like the TV/DVD player in your cabin. Usual check-in is at 4pm; check-out at Noon. An early check-in or a late checkout can sometimes be accommodated. Feel free to ask. Arriving before dark is recommended. Unless you request otherwise, you gather your own eggs for breakfast. Nesting boxes are located outside of the chicken run beneath the canopy. Just lift either lid and move the ladies to the side. (Watch out for the black & white polkadotted one with the punk hairdo...she has a little attitude. Covering the back of your hand with a sleeve will be enough protection from her pecks.) Eggs will be all colors...green, blue, pink, chocolate, cream, freckled! Yolks will be dark yellow to orange. (Color varies depending on their foraged diet which is supplemented with Organic only feed.) Warning: sitting by the firepit with a snack could mean chickens hopping into your lap for bread crumbs!! This isn't a place for fancy city shoes! The chickens and geese are not potty trained. Rain makes for lots of muddy puddles which are highly recommended by the duck.