Welcome to the guest house
on Milky Way Farm
HANSVILLE — Just off Hansville Road stands a gray, red-trimmed farmhouse lined with cherry blossom trees.
Milk cows graze in the open pasture while grapes in a neighboring vineyard soak up the sunshine. Out on the covered porch a white, antique swing creaks, rustled by a slight wind.
It’s an escape from city life that’s as homey as Grandma and Grandpa’s farmhouse because, well, it kind of is.
Cinda and Ervin Bakken own and run The Milky Way Farm Guest House as a vacation rental and have found a niche renting to wedding guests, honeymooners, and family reunions.
“It’s a beautiful place to chill,” Cinda said, rocking in a chair on the front porch with eyes closed.
Cinda said the five-bedroom, two-bath home got its name from an old wooden sign buried under piles of crates in a run-down chicken coop.
The sign, which read “The Milky Way Farm” belonged to the original homesteaders, the Lilquists, who ran a milking and dairy operation on the land.
For those who might remember, Cinda said the Lilquists also owned the Almo Theatre and Big Bear Drive-In in Poulsbo.
The kid- and dog-friendly guest house is on a 20-acre working farm, just up the hill from Hansville’s beaches, trails and recreation opportunities.
Norwegian Point Park, Point No Point Lighthouse, Buck Lake and Foulweather Bluff are all within a five-minute drive.
“The property backs right on to the Hansville Greenway,” Cinda said. “It’s great for walking on the trails.”
From the teak, mahogany and butterwood bathrooms to the old-fashioned coffee grinder and wood-burning stove, the Bakken’s have poured their handiwork into even the littlest of details. The house also includes a usable washer/dryer, WiFi and DirecTV.
Entering into the main living room, Elvis sings “Mystery Train” through the television, lending a down-home groove to the relaxing hospitality.
“I try to turn the music to the era that fits the age of the people staying here,” she said. “I try to get everyone in a nice mood, a nice frame of mind.”
If the music doesn’t fulfill that goal there is always the stocked kitchen cabinets.
“We stock the necessities — bread, milk, oranges, juice, eggs — for the beginning of their stay,” Cinda said. “A lot of people replace what they take, which is really nice. It’s like they feel it’s their home and want others to enjoy it as much as they did.”
The home also has its share of curiosities as well, like a secret staircase.
The old white staircase can get people from the kitchen to the main set of stairs instead of having to walk around the whole house.
For the decor, stocked cabinets and curiosities, the whole home rents out for $350 per night. However, rent is charged by the amount of rooms slept in. The first room starts at $150 and each additional room is $50 per night.
Cinda said summer weekends are the busiest and the first booked by renters.
“We are getting very booked July through August,” she said. “There are some people who book a year in advance and that’s OK.”
To book reservations or find out more about The Milky Way Farm Guest House visit the Bakken’s Web site: milkywayfarmguesthouse.com
