Nettles Farm

The charming Nettles Farm on sleepy Lummi Island in Washington state is the perfect place to spend a long weekend relaxing and unplugging.

Owner Riley Starks concentrates his farm practices mostly on raising heritage breeds of chickens, which he believes produce the best tasting meat possible. Guests can partake in occasional classes offered to learn to humanely slaughter — a unique way for you to really get to know your food.

Starks outfitted his two suites beautifully. They’re outfitted with impressive kitchens (one includes a custom pizza oven), comfortable beds, private decks and spa-like bathrooms — not bad for a stay on a rural island.

The farm also provides fresh eggs (from the aforementioned chickens), bacon, oatmeal, bread, homemade jam, homemade honey from the farm’s apiary and coffee Starks roasts himself. It makes for an impressive spread that will fuel you for your day’s adventures, whether you’re hiking, sea kayaking, visiting local art galleries or simply lounging and reading. Guests at the farmhouse suite, with the pizza oven, can purchase homemade dough for their dinner — or perhaps a breakfast pizza.

Guests can roam the property, picking berries, relaxing among the gardens and making friends with Stella, the affable truffle-hunting dog.