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Tacoma Ferry with Movember Mustache image for post about how to ride the washington state ferry system

A Curmudgeon’s Guide to the Washington State Ferry System 0 (0)

Are you visiting and want to know how to ride the Washington State ferries? My ferry curmudgeon says, "Don’t!" But I know you’re going to go against his advice and do it anyway, so here are some tips.

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salmon cascades coho salmon jumping

Viewing the Autumn Salmon Run at Salmon Cascades on the Sol Duc River 0 (0)

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Sound Fall Fun: Things to Do This Autumn in Seattle and the Puget Sound Area We've updated our post about Autumn things to do around the Puget Sound area for 2024! Here's our list of some things you might want to consider doing this fall, along with a list of events from our calendar. ac6c376ab115c78fc3f49f62e06181ec Suyematsu Farms 5 of 8 scaled

Sound Fall Fun: Things to Do This Autumn in Seattle and the Puget Sound Area 0 (0)

We’ve updated our post about Autumn things to do around the Puget Sound area for 2024! Here’s our list of some things you might want to consider doing this fall, along with a list of events from our calendar.

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Pumpkin Patch at Suyematsu Farms

“Upper Left” Washington State Pumpkin Farms Guide 0 (0)

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seattle skyline long layover featured image

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Stopping at Seattle for a long layover? Go out and explore the best of Seattle’s attractions with the help of the reliable public transportation system. From the captivating glass art at the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum to the coffee shops filled to the brim with coffee culture, to the scenic views at the waterfront.

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Off Leash Dog Areas in Seattle

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Aerial Shot of Poulsbo from Liberty bay

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Poulsbo, located in the Kitsap Peninsula of Washington State, is sometimes called "Little Norway" because of the Norwegians who settled here over 100 years ago. Here’s a bit more about this charming PNW town and what to do if you visit.

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Popcorn Beer and Cider at Port Townsend Starlight Room

Port Townsend’s Starlight Room is a classy moviegoing experience. 0 (0)

Comfortable seats, chandeliers, popcorn with REAL butter, and craft beers make going to Port Townsend Rose Theater’s Starlight Room a way to see a movie in style.

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A bald eagle cries out at Big Beef Creek in Seabeck, WA.

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Every year in late May and early June, a number of bald eagles come to Big Beef Creek in Seabeck with the morning low tide.

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Finding Wintering Trumpter Swans in Northwest Washington State Every winter trumpeter swans from Alaska and northern British Columbia migrate to the Pacific Northwest. Here's a bit more informaiton on these, the heaviest of flying bird, and where to find them in western Washington State. Swan Spreading its Wings at Shadow Lake scaled

Finding Wintering Trumpter Swans in Northwest Washington State 0 (0)

Every winter trumpeter swans from Alaska and northern British Columbia migrate to the Pacific Northwest. Here’s a bit more informaiton on these, the heaviest of flying bird, and where to find them in western Washington State.

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Railrioad Bridge Olympic Discovery Trail Sequim to Port Angeles

Riding the Olympic Discovery Trail Sequim to Port Angeles (River and Prairie Section) 0 (0)

The Olympic Discovery Trail is a trail running through the Olympic Peninsula from Port Townsend to the Pacific Ocean. This is the first of several posts exploring different sections of the trail, mostly from a cycling perspective.

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Famous Seattle Graves (and Where to Find Them) 4.5 (13)

If celebrity burials are your thing, the number of Seattle’s famous dead denizens does come close to rivaling many larger, and older, cities. But we do have a few here, and they’re worth visiting if you like cemeteries. Here’s more about where to find the graves of Bruce and Brandon Lee, Jimi Hendrix, and Chief Sealth (Seattle), along with a listing of a few others with a more local claim to fame.

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A Visit to Underground Hygge: The Hobbit House by the Columbia River Gorge In Orondo, Washington, near the Columbia River Gorge, there exists a charming hobbit house built into the hillside. We finally got to stay there for a few nights! Here's a review with a brief video, and some things to know before you go there. sddefault

A Visit to Underground Hygge: The Hobbit House by the Columbia River Gorge 0 (0)

We finally visited Underground Hygge: the AirBNB Hobbit House in Washington State that you can rent. While we loved it, you should know a few things before you book. What follows is my review and my attempt at a video.

And, if you’re interested in Middle Earth-type lodgings and places to visit, you can read my original post on Hobbit Houses in Washington State. If you want more photos I’m in the process of attaching a gallery of images here.

Nestled in a hillside overlooking the Columbia River is a little house fit for a Hobbit. This “hole in the ground” was built by Kristie Wolfe, who also constructed an AirBNB treehouse in Idaho and is for rent on AirBNB.

You can view a video about the making of Underground Hygge here or on my original Washington State Hobbit House post.

However, this AirBNB hobbit house is so popular that it generally reserves out at least a year in advance. My husband, Ted, is a huge Lord of the Rings fan so reserving this was a “must-do,” and I finally got to stay a few days in this magical dwelling with my big hobbit.

Joys and Challenges of Hobbit Living

Overall, Ted approved of Underground Hygge. His only caveat was that including a kitchen would have made it much easier to prepare breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, luncheon, supper, dinner…and whatever other meals hobbits like to eat.

The house is off the grid — water is brought in, power is solar, there is no kitchen, and you should intend on making this a disconnected getaway as there isn’t much wi-fi service here except, possibly at the base of the hill. Hobbits don’t use electronic devices anyway!

We did run out of power one evening, but the hosts provide a generator to recharge the battery, should that happen to you.

To solve the dilemma of hobbits’ unique meal habits, we brought a camp stove, and my spouse dragged our Yeti cooler up the hill. If it had just been me, I would have brought a small cooler and made more frequent trips.- Advertisement –

We supplemented our meals with going into nearby Chelan for luncheon. The hosts of Underground Hygge supply their visiting hobbits with a nice, Middle Earth style map, instructions, and list of meal recommendations. Of the places we tried, I’d recommend The Fox and The Quail in Chelan. It’s a charming cafe with a comfortable outdoor seating area and the Ahi tuna I had there was excellent.

Bring a Soundtrack

But overall, we loved it. My husband spent time re-listening to the BBC Radio broadcast of Lord of the Rings   and The Hobbit  , as well as the soundtracks from the movies  . Watching the evening light move over the landscape here is lovely. We were amused one evening by large groups of grouse running down the dirt road below. And, though you can see other houses in the distance, you kind of get the feeling you’re the only ones in your own little world here. It’s a great couples retreat, but it would also be a great getaway if you wanted to be a hermit for a bit.

But, that may change. You can see another, partially built hobbit hole nearby and the guest notebook describes plans for three hobbit houses and a community kitchen. So, instead of it being a private getaway, it may, eventually, be a sort of mini-Shire.

Hobbity Perks we Loved:

In addition to the sheer charm of the place and the things I’ve already mentioned, here are some touches the hosts added that I loved:

Reading Material

Though my spouse came prepared with his own fancy copy of The Hobbit, we found the house (as it should) already had one.

A hobbit house also needs a riddle book, and…just so.

But my big hobbit was pleased that I did not discover the box with Table Topics cards until near the end of our visit.

The Workbench

The workbench includes wood, tools, and instructions to spend your time whittling an owl. We didn’t whittle; perhaps Ted would have had the motivation if he could have whittled a Gandalf-style pipe.

The Front “Lawn”

The hobbit house is enhanced by its front patio area. The “lawn” seems to be high-quality astroturf — so it stays green in the dry Summers.

The Amplifier Stump

You’ll find what looks like a little tree stump on the nightstand. This is actually a music amplifier. Set your phone on it to enhance your listening if you didn’t bring a speaker.

The Door

The door is stunning. It’s made from a large spool, with decorative metalwork. I want this door in my house, but I don’t think it would look right!

Some things you should be aware of before visiting the AirBNB Hobbit House:

We loved our stay at Underground Hygge and would go back, though definitely in the Summer. While the house would look charming in the snow and the propane fireplace would be cozy, Winter would bring its own challenges with navigating the dirt roads and with power issues.

Here are a few things to know before you go:

Bring a Stove and a Cooler

There’s no kitchen; the hosts will provide you with a few special treats for elevensies, an electric hot water kettle, and coffee/tea, if you want to cook, you’ll need to bring your own supplies.

Get ready to do a bit of climbing

Underground Hygge is about a 100-yard hike up a winding trail to get to the hobbit house. Nicely, rustic walking sticks are provided at the head of the trail.

Off the Grid

Power is supplied by solar panels, but the hosts provide a generator should you run out and the tap water is non-potable, but drinking water is brought in and delivered in a cute wall-keg.

I also found that the hot water ran out rapidly — too rapidly for me to finish taking a warm shower or filling the lovely deep bathtub. The house manual says that you can use the hot water kettle to heat up water. If you do this, be aware that the electric water kettle sucks up energy and you’ll have to end up using the generator. If I were genuinely motivated to fill up the tub to take a hot bath, I’d use my camp stove to heat water.

Keeping Cool

Orondo gets hot in the Summer! However, we found that an earth dwelling stays cool. Keep the door closed during the day and there’s no need for air conditioning.

For You Hammockers

There aren’t any good hammocking trees in the nearby vicinity — but there was room down the hill for setting up a hammock stand for lounging around.

The Roads

Getting there is uphill on dirt roads; some of them are rough. Our Subaru handled it just fine. However, in the winter I’d want to bring a 4 x 4 vehicle.

Bees and Other Guests

In the Summer, you’ll be visited by many yellowjackets and wasps, but they quiet down toward evening.

You might also find a few grasshoppers if you shake out the blanket. Their “music,” however, I find comforting in the evening.

Orondo Hobbit House Photos

I’m working on adding to the gallery of photos I took at the Hobbit Inn. You can click here to view the gallery.

Underground Hygge: AirBNB Hobbit House Washington State Map

Below is, at least, the approximate location of this hobbit house. It is very private; please respect privacy of the guests there. If you would like to access the live map page, click here or on the image of the map below.

A Visit to Underground Hygge: The Hobbit House by the Columbia River Gorge In Orondo, Washington, near the Columbia River Gorge, there exists a charming hobbit house built into the hillside. We finally got to stay there for a few nights! Here's a review with a brief video, and some things to know before you go there. underground hygge map

Some Photos from the Hobbit Inn

Vintage Seattle postcard

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Looking for info about days gone by in Seattle? Here are eight online resources to soothe your retro Seattle soul, including groups, archives of historic Seattle photos, and other resources.

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Kayaking Obstruction Island Easy Orcas Island Kayaking and Safe Kayaking in the San Juan Islands

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Obstruction Island just off the southeast part of Orcas Island is a good place for beginner-intermediate kayakers to paddle without being carried away by currents. Here’s more about this satisfying island circumnavigation paddle.

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Tintype taken at the Port Townsend Victorian Festival

Going Victorian in Port Townsend 0 (0)

If you want to explore times of yore (sorry about the rhyme), head to Port Townsend for their annual Victorian Festival. We did in 2018 and encountered many a thing, including frightening(ly beautiful) ball gowns, tintype photography, and ghost stories.

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Cheryl in Kayak

Blake Island Kayaking and Camping 0 (0)

You can only get to Blake Island in Washington State by boat (or seaplane, it turns out). It’s a fun kayaking adventure from Seattle or Kitsap County. Here’s more about kayaking and camping on Blake Island.

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The Hobbit House at the Brothers Greenhouses Washington State Hobbit Houses

Three Washington State Spots to Soothe Your Hobbit Soul 4.4 (14)

Pining for the Shire? Here are a few places to visit to quell your hobbity cravings in Washington State without visiting Middle Earth (or at least New Zealand).

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