Julie Crabtree, Author of "Discovering Pig Magic" & new resident of Del Norte County

Julie Crabtree is a new resident of Del Norte County, the author of "Discovering Pig Magic" and a very dear friend.

Julie and her husband Phil were looking for a slower paced, less complicated lifestyle from the San Francisco Bay Area and decided to look for a home in Del Norte County where Julie has spent many a summer vacation.

Julie found me on the internet and called to schedule some showings while on their annual summer vacation to Crescent City in 2007. We found the perfect home the second day and the rest is history.

Crescent City is blessed to have Julie, her husband Phil and their two children join the Crescent City/Del Norte County community. Julie is already active in her children's school and teaching yoga at the Healing Arts Center.

In their one year in Del Norte County, the Crabtree family has already done more cool stuff than I have in the 20 years I've lived here. Julie, the family and their dog Digby can be found at the Smith River swimming, fishing at the ocean or river, kayaking on the Rogue River, jet boating on the Chetco River, walking every beach in the county, taking the tram at Trees of Mystery and so much more.

Julie will be having a local book signing in the near future. I will be sure to do a post when I have the dates. It will be a unique opportunity to have a personally signed copy of her first novel, Discovering Pig Magic, winner of the 2008 Milkweed Prize for Children's Literature and named as a debut to watch by Publishers Weekly.

The Crabtree family is a welcome addition to our community.

Posted Tuesday Oct 07

( 10/07/08 03:42AM ) — Fort Worth Real Estate - - - Karen Anne Stone

Fran: I am not surprised that your friend Julie has done more in her year in Del Norte County than you have in the time you have lived there. That is often the case. I am sure she was and still is full of all of the magical energy your area holds... while for other "long-timers"... they may have long time ago started taking that magic... for granted. Go with her on her next fun trip... re-discover some of that magic. I am envious. Thanks for sharing.

By the way... when I visited a friend in Portland some years ago... I can remember driving up Highway 5 in Oregon. It was early morning... and I saw a sign about a breakfast place called Karens Diner. It turned out it was right on the banks of the Rogue River. I had breakfast in "my diner" and then enjoyed sitting for awhile on a park bench on a path along the river. It was somehow magical, too.

( 10/07/08 06:04AM ) — Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate

Fran, thanks for sharing this personal story about Julie and her experiences in your community. The best places to live in my opinion are in area's outside the big cities that have a unique flavor, slower life style but close enough to the Metropolitan area's to take advantage of events there. It is totally my opinion of course, but that's how I feel.