On a perfectly sunny spring day, we were lucky enough to follow a small pod of orcas on a short ferry ride from West Seattle to Vashon Island. Once we disembarked and made our way to the southern tip of the island, we followed a long wooded driveway to find ourselves at the private oasis of the Bluff House. Nature-infused with wood furniture, a forest-inspired four post master bed, walls of windows facing the water and an outdoor soaking tub on the deck, it felt like we were instantly welcomed as a part of the scenery.

We spent the first day split between gazing at the 180° view of the water from the house itself and then hiking the trail down to the private beach for a long afternoon of exploring. The next day, we wandered several miles of Vashon's lush forest on the Shinglemill Creek Trail, later stopping at the quaint downtown Cafe Vino Olio for local wine to unwind in the Bluff House's outdoor soaking tub. After the sunset, we ended our adventure day with games lit by the fireplace and fell asleep listening to the waves below.