Wow!  Was I ever lucky!  In 1995 I bought my first floating home on the Willamette River.  It was a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, 600 square foot "roundtop" with a 200 square foot unfinished "tender house."  It was moored at Macadam Bay, which is a wonderful floating home moorage located on the West side of the Willamette River about 2/10ths of a mile North of the Sellwood Bridge in Portland, Oregon.  

This was the beginning of a chapter of my life that has been truly amazing.  I bought the house to use as a “weekender” because I have always enjoyed being on the water.  (I say the only thing better than being "ON" the water is to actually be "IN" the water!)

As my first year of river living unfolded, I found myself mesmerized by living in such close proximity to nature and the ever-beautiful Willamette River.  I simply loved being on the river.

During the summer months, I watched some great sunrises and swam most days.  I played with boats and kayaks as time permitted, and many evenings I barbequed on the deck with neighbors.       

During the winter months, I found joy in simple things like watching the light change on the water, kayaking in the rain with the river completely to myself, or watching wildlife and rain storms from my cozy living room.   

By the end of the first year, it was apparent that my “land house” was serving as an over-sized storage unit.  I was mostly living in my 600 square foot floating home and working from my 200 square foot tender house. Since I operate my real estate business from home, and have always employed an office manager, this was a less than practical solution.  I finished the tender house into an office space, but it was tiny.

So I drafted plans to add a second story to my sweet little "weekender."  But business was booming and time was scarce. Fortunately, I never got any further than drafting a rough design for the second story and getting some preliminary cost estimates. The bids were high enough to cause me to consider buying a different floating home with more square footage to move into my space.  So many options.......so little time!

Eventually, I built a new custom floating home, complete with a large office suite to better accommodate my real estate business offices. What a terrific experience that was!  

Today, I'm still happily living on the water at Macadam Bay in what I think of as my "dream home."  My commute to work is across the hall.  My boats are behind the house.  A summer swim is off the edge of the deck.  I see something remarkable every day of my life.  (I once saw a nine foot sturgeon jump out of the water!  I've watched sea lions dining on salmon tartare in front of my house.  And, among other things, I've witnessed aerial battles between an eagle and two osprey over territorial rights.) 

Twenty years after I bought my first floating home, I am filled with gratitude for this amazing journey.  If you are considering the river lifestyle, I would be honored to share my experiences and my expertise to help you figure out if river living could be right for you.

Who knows....maybe it's time for you to start creating your own river living story!  See you on the water!

Kim