An old abandoned cabin is nestled in the forest preserve at Guillemot Cove on the Hood Canal in Kitsap County. 
The doors are wide open, the decks are rotting, and cobwebs trap sand blown in from the beach. People lived here once, homesteaded, and then abandoned the place. There are over 200 acres on this nature preserve, with a variety of hiking trails. As we wandered around, we noticed an old barn, a meadow, and a little stream that trickled down the mountain. I thought it was a perfect location for a farm, nestled in the mountains and yet close to the sounds and sights of Puget Sound.
Areas of the meadow were still boggy from spring rain, but this resulted in wild daffodils and a profusion of new sprouts and grasses.I showed George the wild nettles that were just emerging from the soggy ground. They can be picked while young, blanched and drained, then cooked into a 'mess of greens'. However, collecting the nettles is tricky.
They have toxic hairs on the leaves that cause a stinging rash. I tested a leaf, just to be sure, and got stung. 
Recently I watched a program on wild edibles that featured nettles, and the host said that a onion-type plant often grows in the same location which can be used as a soothing rub for the sting. I walked around the bog and found it! I'm not sure what it is called, but I pulled it up just as they did on that program and the cool slime that coated the stalk instantly detoxed my rash. Amazing, how one meadow holds food and medicine!
This hide-out is called the Stump House, and it had an old bejeweled treasure-chest inside on a shelf. There was a guest book, so I signed our names. It was so dark in there, all I could think to write was the word "BOO!" Rumor has it that someone actually hid out on this property while avoiding capture, staying in the Stump House. 
We spent three hours hiking the trails, then did some beach combing. It was gorgeous out - warm and sunny. This is a rich beach habitat, with fresh oyster-beds, clams and mussels, and little crabs hiding under the rocks. With the fresh water from the stream, the wild edibles and seafood ready to collect on the beach, it would be easy enough to hide out, away from it all.
