The beauty beckons visitors from near and far, with the island's serene beaches, forested shorelines, and panoramic views that make you feels as if you're on top of the world. But beneath the surface of the local beauty is a trap that few see coming - or ignore the signs of danger as a sailor allows the drawing suction of a siren's mystic song to carry him off to sea.The people seem so inviting and friendly, waving to one another as they pass on the streets, passing smiles back and forth in local shops. People want to stay, but misunderstand the process of becoming a local - and the impending doom and dire consequences of giving in to their desires of living in such a place as Orcas Island. The unwritten rules of becoming a local islander require at least a three-year extended stay. But when you begin to take a closer and more intimate look into the lives of the people here, it becomes more apparent that the locals are... well, for lack of a better phrase - a little strange. Some are even deserving of a grander title, such as insane. Somewhere along their journey to becoming a local - they seem to have lost their minds.
Now, I'm sure most people didn't start off that way, or at least I like to hope they didn't. While some people seem perfectly normal by societal standards, others just don't quite seem to establish a life of normalcy on the island, but can't seem to bring themselves to leave, either. The draw here is intense, and the desire to leave becomes a passing thought as time draws you further into the island's hypnotic energy. By the time you realize you've endured three full years here, earning you an honorary local badge, you might not even notice that you, too - have lost your mind somewhere on Orcas Island.
