If you have never heard of "island time", it is a real "thing". The pace of life here on Whidbey Island is more relaxed and slow than Seattle. When locals take the ferry to the mainland they often say they are "going into town."
I, along with the rest of my family have spent the last two years redoing this house in the woods from the ground up. New kitchen, baths, floors, carpets, trim, doors, siding, roof and now, trails in the woods. Maybe you will find the "rock" when you explore.
Nearby, directly across the island, you will find Langley. Langley is a small historic town brimming with art studios, wonderful restaurants, historic buildings and charm dating back to the 1890s.
Farther north, about halfway up the island is Coupeville. Famous for Penn Cove mussels which are harvested in the waters right in front of town. It predates Langley by a good amount and is the second oldest town in Washington, founded in the 1850s.
Just down the road from the house is one of my favorite hangouts, Bailey's Corner Store. Bailey's is a charming old country store where the locals come for coffee and sit, talking on the wrap-around porch, every morning (during better weather). They have a good selection of beers and a back room with beer taps. Locals come down Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights for Trivia game night (Thurs.), open mic (Fri.), and live music (Sat.).
Nearby Cultus Bay has tide flats that is a favorite with beachgoers and dog walkers. At low tide, the flats extend for several hundred feet.
Saturday mornings during the summer months, there is a farmers market at Bayview which is very popular with the locals.
There are way too many things to do and see here on the island to list in such a short space, so you will find much more detailed information in my guide upon check-in.