The Blodel Reserve is tucked away on the northern part of Bainbridge Island on a small side road that winds through tall old growth trees with houses peaking through the woods.  As we pulled up to the iron gate, it slowly rolled open to admit our car and we were greeted by an attended who informed us where to park before entering the grounds. Bundling up with camera in hand we entered the gift shop and purchased our entry pass.  A bit pricey even with the discount I picked up on the ferry, it was worth it.  Following the map, we strolled along the wood chipped path to the immaculate sheep shed. (Not the she shed which I could almost recite the all state commercial in my head, I now know where Job gets it). Continuing along the path, we wandered through the trees to the wooded ponds that are gong through a renovation.  The Canadian Geese that have made their home here seem to be very comfortable with visitors and even preen a bit as if showing off their best side of their long graceful necks. As we headed back to the trees we could hear a resident eagle calling in from the tree tops. Once out of the woods, we caught our first glimpse of Collinswood, the Blodel home.  I almost felt as if I was Elizabeth Bennett view Pemberly for the first time. It was breathtaking. We made our way toward the house and entering inside, it was just as simple and elegant as I had imagined.  The house, built in 1931 has original hardwood oak floors, tall ceilings, elegant and yet simple painted molding and fireplaces in the dining room, study and livingroom.  the furniture in each room fit the space and yet it wasn't crowded with furniture. It seemed to be placed just right to make you feel welcomed. I could almost imagine pulling out a book and curling up next to the large windows to read for an afternoon.  It was lovely.  The ground floor is the only part of the house open to visitors and I almost ached to climb the curved stone staircase with iron railings. It felt much more cozy than some of the newer homes that seem to try to scream wealth but end up overdone. After leaving the house, we could hear the sea lions barking out on a bouy in the sound with the eagle in the tree tops voicing it's opinion as well.  We wandered down the path, to the hellebore and primrose garden, and made our way to the guest house. The main house was designed in a french villa manor and the guest house with surrounding grounds was designed a world away in the Japanese Garden Style and Tea house.  It was obviously set up and being ready for a retreat with reading materials at the ready on the cushioned benches inside. Across the road from the meditative garden was a moss garden.  I had no idea there were so many different kinds of moss and wondered how you could tell if one moss was being crowded out by another kind.  It was eerily beautiful, and I couldn't help but whisper as we quietly walked among the trees. Right before the Camilla garden was the reflecting pool and it was perfectly groomed and maintained. Not a leaf disturbed the water.  Too early in the year for the Camillas, I could envision the trees in bloom and how beautiful it must be later in the spring.  It is a place I want to return to, in each season to get a glimpse of how it changes.  Also the house pretty much cemented the deal for real hardwood oak floors in our house.  I mean, it's almost 100 years old and has original hardwood floors in there.