I often daydream about living somewhere remote, tucked into the woods, with only my family and my garden. Chickens roaming free, and dogs barking at the leaves blowing in the wind. A picturesque view to stare at while I sit on my porch and drink my morning coffee. While I love living in a smaller city, something about the idea of escaping the world with just a few small items sounds so…magical.
I recently discovered a gorgeous place called The Bloedel Reserve, just a hop, skip, and a jump from where I work. While I would like my place to be MUCH smaller, this place is similar to my daydream in the sense that a family once lived here, tucked into the woods. This is now an open to the public attraction and man, was it gorgeous!
I have a thing for barn like buildings. See here, and here for other examples.
A place to sit and watch the water.
I also have a thing for random benches. See here for another example.
I assume this is where people used to live. The entire downstairs was set up like a 1920’s murder mystery film. It was a bit eerie, and I expected Jack Nicholson to pop out at any moment. Despite the creepy interior, the view from the house was breathtaking.
Clearly aliens come to visit too.
Follow the path down to the water.
These zen garden stones look like giant PB cups to me. Perhaps I need sweets. I accidentally stepped into the sand while taking this picture..oops.
One more pebble path for good measure.
If I were alone on this quest I could have sat for hours staring into the open water daydreaming about making cupcakes and PB cups in my own back-country cabin. Alas, I was not alone and this journey took just under an hour, enough time to stir up my hunger.
Q: Would you rather live in a busy city, or a quiet countryside? I would love to live in a busy city for a few years, but when I settle down it must be somewhere tranquil and with a slower paced life.
Blissfulbritt 
59 thoughts on “Tucked Into the Woods”
Nicole Marie Story
CITY. With a beautiful home in the woods for occasional weekend retreats. 🙂
Brittany
YES! Perfect answer. ALWAYS have a weekend retreat home!
Lisa
This looks like such a beautiful place.
I totally agree that I’d love a place that’s serene, surrounded by my loved ones, where I can sit outside and drink my coffee in peace surrounded with all things beautiful in nature. I just think that sounds so amazing. However, I can see the little appeal in a busy city too – but for me, I often crave the quiet countryside more. It’s just more my style.
An Unrefined Vegan
Wow, what a lovely place! Country and PB cups for me!
Brittany
With all the photos you post of your area, I think of you and your wonderful location as an ideal place to live!! You’ve got it made my friend!
Her Happy Balance
You took some gorgeous photos! I think I’d like to live in a suburb because I am not a city girl, but still like to visit it, but the idea of a total rural setting makes me think I’d get bored. I guess it’s the best of both worlds.
Britta
Nope! You want THIS place, not smaller. Wanna know why? Because I am going to move in with you and bring my chickens, and dogs (big dogs like golden retrievers and border collies), and then we can have a really big kitchen with 5 ovens so we can make as much pie and cupcakes as our hearts desire. 😀
Ok ok, this places is gorgeous! I absolutely love everything about it. SO green, so peaceful, so perfect. And just like you, big city for a little while (ahem, vancouver) and then outside of the city where things are a little more peaceful.
Britta
and by city I mean country
Brittany
YES YES YES, so much YES! Done..we’re doing this..With a land this big we can run it too so that we don’t turn into rolling balls from all the pie and cake we will be eating!
sincerelylily
This place looks amazingggggggg! I imagine our B & B to be similar to what you described…. except if we have chickens, you are taking care of them because I would die. I will keep a pond of fish for our dinners and needs.
This is such a pretty place. I clicked on the website and now I want to visit! THey had a fancy garden party on Aug 1! how fun does that sound!?!?
i htink you need to move to MI and fullfill your dream of having land with animals and a husand and tiny family running around. you would love it. and you can go out on the water anytime! and id be your neighbor (obviously the best part)
Brittany
Oh my dear friend..your words are so very tempting..perhaps one day this will become a reality!! Having you as a neighbor would be unreal. This is the perfect spot for our B&B!
EverdayLivingPNW
That just looks like serenity! I tell ya that is what I use to dream of all the time…so when we were house hunting I didnt compromise and we found exactly what you were describing, even in the city! It just takes time, planning, and a green thumb or too. You will find your daydream someday!
Catherine @ A Two Storey Home
I often feel like I just want to go off the grid with my family…just build a cute cabin in the woods, grow our own food, and be happy!
spectacuLAUR
I would love to live in the outskirts of a city so I could have easy access to everything, but I think if I lived in a city all the time it would get to me! Those rocks do look like PB cups. I probably would have licked one JUST to make sure they weren’t real 😉
Change of Pace
Your first paragraph’s description was incredible! I pictured Kelly and me living there, too! Do you have room for two more people, Harold, and perhaps a couple goats?!
The reserve looks amazing, from the views to the zen features to the old wooden bench and barn. Please go again, by yourself, with a journal and just enjoy! (And a camera so you can show us more!)
Brittany
Yes, please come!! The more the merrier! One big (tiny) community of zen lovers!
Gina
I could see why you love this place. It looks so serene. I could look at the view from that house for days.
Rebekah @ fitnesscreatures
City for sure. Especially when I know I can come vacation at your quaint country home. That place looks wonderful though. I would want to sit there for hours, too.
Kammie
Wow this place looks amazing. So peaceful and looks like it has so much history. Beautiful.
missymiller
I think country … definetely not big city for sure. I loved living in Austin.. it was a perfect mix. But at the end of the day I love my beach proximity above all.
Mike
Brittany, I’m definitely a quiet countryside person if I had my druthers! Your photos are fantastic. That is funny on the “aliens visited” picture. It’s completely different but your picture of the barn was my favorite and totally reminded me of the Bridges of Madison County. Albeit those were bridges….but, I’m just sayin’… Good post! 🙂
P
I love the city and countryside both! That house looks gorgeous and I agree. Those stones look like giant PB cups, haha!
Amy
I am definitely a quiet countryside type of person! My parents have almost an acre, and I really envy them. At my, I can hear my neighbors slamming doors, playing rap music at 7 am for their workouts, and cars driving up and down the street much too quickly. I love the days where our closest neighbors (actually the quietest of the group!) leave to visit family, which happens almost every weekend. Once I earn enough money to buy my own house, I really really really want some space for peace and privacy!
And I LOVE the look of that house! I have a thing for older homes, especially ones built before the 19th century. Victorians are my favorite!
Nicole @ FruitnFitness
I think it would be fun to live in a big city for a little while but I prefer the country. I want to have a small house in the country with lots of land and animals! I think your more at peace with yourself when your in a peacefull enviornment.
B.
I’m totally with you. I think living near the city while I’m young is good, but eventually I want to live somewhere more remote. I grew up having nothing but green woods outside my bedroom window and having a creek run through my backyard. When my family sold the property the woods were on, I was crushed to have them all torn down. Ever since, I’ve dreamed of having that kind of landscape reintroduced back into my life! Nothing is better hearing rain fall on leaves outside your window instead of cement!
Megan
I think where I grew up was perfect. People had quarter acre yards, big houses, and there were trails super close by. Tons of parks too! I am pretty sure my town had a green space law so it keeps people from going nutty and plopping houses too too close to each other. In general I think I would be happy living in the burbs of a city. I like having the option for cities but I really can’t get enough of green space! That is also why I kind of love Virginia. I am right up DC’s butt AND only a 15 minute drive (pending no traffic) to some trail I can go run around in. Add a few more hours and you end up at the Country Bumpkins cottage!
This place looks magicalllll.
Davida @The Healthy Maven
I grew up in a big city (Toronto) and always thought of myself as a city girl so it felt pretty natural when I moved to NYC. As much as I loved NYC the busyness of it all got to me after a while and eventually I moved home. I learned I need the hustle and bustle of a city but a house with a backyard that’s a bit detached from it all. Toronto seems to have the right balance but I have a feeling I won’t be there forever. Wherever I go I now know it will need to be a place with a good amount of balance between busy and peaceful!
Also they totally look like PB cups to me…
kathy @ vodka and soda
when i was younger, it was all about bright city lights with a happening night life…now that i’m an old fart, quiet peacefulness is what i crave. when the neighbours have their backyard parties, i’m angrily sitting by the window waiting for 10pm to roll around and if they don’t shut that shit down by then, i’m yelling at them! sorrynotsorry!
PNWRunner
I couldn’t live in the city. I love the suburbs! Just enough room that I don’t feel like I am on top of my neighbors. I like being able to jump in the car real quick without having to worry about parking and traffic!! The pics are beautiful btw. Looks like a great place to visit.
jessiebearwhat
Gorgeous!
Courtney
I LOVE that house! It’s beautiful 🙂 and I like the Shining reference 😀
Ryoma Sakamoto
Art of sand and stone present in Kyoto, Japan (Ryoanji).
It is a very quiet space.
It is the appeal to tourists from abroad.
XOXO Ryoma
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
Oh wow, now that’s my idea of a perfect place to settle down. I have the same dream of finding a remote place to live that’s close to a small city, but far away enough to give me a place to escape and clear my head. I’m honestly not sure if I’m a city or country girl… I like the city because there’s always something to do and buying things isn’t a huge hassle, but I like the country for the peace and quiet. So I stick with my first choice… country living close to a small city 😛
Alisha's Appetite
Girl, that does look gorgeous and you’re right….magical. I go back and forth between wanting to live in a city and the country. But ultimately I think I would prefer the country because I love nature so much.
kelly @ racesrepsramblings
Aww I love it. It certainly does look so magical. Though I must admit I love the hustle and bustle of a city – there’s just always so much to do! How about live in a city and vacation in the country? Sounds like a perfect plan to me!
Alex @ therunwithin
can I live near you? pretty please? lately i have been doing a lot more walks by myself at night to decompress. necessary
Brittany
Walks at night alone!?! You are brave. I hope you have some kind of weapon with you like a shank or a grenade.
Yes, please come live near me!
Meghan @ fitnesscrEATures
This place is beautiful! What town do you live in again? I am from Mercer Island… Anywhere near there? 🙂 I’m not sure about this thought – I love the city SO much because of the activity but a weekend away in the mountains where no one can find me or even contact me is equally amazing for separate reasons… I’m torn. 🙂 Though, I do prefer living in the city (mostly because that’s all I’ve done as a grown up who pays my own bills) to the burbs because I’m a fan of walking to the grocery store and gym in a bustling environment. This comment was entirely too long and ranty. Bye bye.
Melissa @ Al Forno Mementos
gahhh you always go to the best adventures! I thought those were PB cups too … until I read what you said. haha
Luv What You Do
Wow those views are stunning! i love that you take time to enjoy the remote area and shared it with us. In my dreams, I have a condo in the busy city and a house in the country side. It’s the best of both worlds : )
kadeecramer
Gah! Love places like this! And random benches 🙂 I am daydreaming of having that bench in my back yard.
I just bought a house that’s sort of in the city, but finally in the same state as my parents who live in the country where I can escape to anytime. All about the balance ; P
Choc Chip Uru
Out of the way, similar to the secret garden but a house! 😀
Magic!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
ahellams
My other half does restoration of old buildings and reclaimed furniture so my absolute dream is to buy an old barn and get married in it and then have him restore it to be our home! I really hope we can do it some day, now I have it my head as my life plan.
Brittany
Umm please do this…your dream/life plan is adorable and I want to come to the wedding. K thanks.
Katherine
The photo of the steps was blurred for a minute on my computer, and I thought they were close ups of peanut butter cups too! Woops! I love little getaways like this! That’s so crazy that this is so close to your home! You’ll have to go there more often 🙂
sugarcoatedsheridan
While I don’t live quite as remotely as you have described, I do live pretty close to that. And let me tell you, it is just AMAZING. I love it. I do enjoy the city and LOVED my trip to NYC, but live there? Absolutely not…I want my serenity, peaceful pond and trees with just the sound of the birds, frogs, and crickets 🙂
Amy @ A Desert Girl
I grew up in the country – 8 miles from the nearest town, which was small (not even a stoplight). And I’ve lived in a city of 10 million people. Currently, I’m somewhere in between – in a city of around a million. To live, I like where I’m at. But it’s so nice to go and visit the country and get away from it all for a while.
This place looks gorgeous. Wonderful pictures, as usual, my dear.
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Shiza! You should visit me in Wyoming instead of California then! We can rope cattle…. Chase chickens… Barrel race… Hike the 14ers… Get drunk with the Abominable Snowmen (if you come in the winter) – oh wait, I don’t drink… Ride elk and steal their antlers and build an awesome house out of them….. And….. Fly kites. LOL!
Brittany
I WANT TO GO to Wyoming!! I’ve never been. I don’t like drinking either sooo…we are set!
Life After Swimming
Oh my goodness! How GORGEOUS is that place?!?!
Hannah
Absolutely gorgeous! I think I would choose countryside if I had a ton of kids and was a 1930s Countess with fine china and a scheduled tea time. Otherwise I’ll stick with the city folk! If that countryside fantasy seems very specific it’s because this isn’t the first time I’ve pondered this question!
Dawn Robinson (@dawnro1101)
When I was younger I wanted to be in the city and near everything. Now that I’m an old lady I want to be in the country. We are looking for places now.
Alex @ Brain, Body, Because
Okay, so I live in a cabin on top of a mountain in the jungle and, yes, it’s beautiful, but it’s also a PITA sometimes. We should totally be penpals and any time you wish you could live in the woods, I can tell you all of the reasons it sucks and then you won’t be so lonesome 😛
I’m *definitely* a city girl, but I’m learning to appreciate the slower “small town” lifestyle. Who knows will life will take us?
Meredith
what a beautiful, magical looking place! I’m with you, busy city for a few years in my “youth”, then tranquil serene place to spend the rest of my days, and bake cupcakes in peace 🙂
Elizabeth
I was raised in the middle of the nowhere– and I mean nowhere! it was literally a slice of heaven – no neighbors, so quiet, so peaceful, totally perfect. Now, it’s the perfect escape from my crazy life whenever I go home to visit!!
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats
I love the city all the way but I know my boyfriend wants us to retire to the country. I don’t know if I could do it but maybe thats because I’m so used to living a 5 minute walk from the city now that I couldn’t imagine not.
allieksmith
I am soo with you on this! I live in a smaller city (Pittsburgh) and really enjoy it, but sometimes the country is just … so nice! I love your pictures!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
Wow that view! I’d like to curl up on that bench or even the pebble path.
I’m a city girl at heart, with a bit of a hippy thrown in for good measure. Which translates to I live in a very quiet neighborhood, close to the water and the park with a compost and pot garden in my backyard, but I’m only a stones throw from downtown Cleveland…or really a five minute ride. It’s the best of both worlds.
Rach @ This Italian Family
Oh Britt, this place is gorgeous! When I come visit you, we are SO coming here!