For some, the day after Thanksgiving is a day to get out of the house and perhaps burn some calories. “Everyone does a turkey trot so we try to be a little different,” says Michael Ramirez, Recreational Manager at Suncadia. “And at this time of year we have a lot of elk coming through the property. So we have an Elk Run.”

Some 250 guests participated in the annual 5k run, almost double the number of runners that attended last year’s event. “We had around 35 kids who did the 1k run,” says Michael. More and more people are finding out about Suncadia and making the easy 80-mile drive from the city. “It’s such a convenient getaway for the weekend,” says Michael, adding that Suncadia really is Seattle’s backyard escape.

Though the weather report called for rain the day of the Elk Run, Suncadia was blessed with clear skies—at least for the duration of the run. “During the race, runners go through some areas on the property where there is typically a lot of wildlife,” says Michael. “It was cool for a lot of guests to see all the turkeys along the route of the run.”

There may not have been any elk sightings on Elk Run day, but everyone who participated got to pick up antlers, bells and a Rudolph nose to cross the finish line. Some adventurous runners even went all out with costumes. “One lady dressed up head to toe in a reindeer outfit and, interestingly, her husband dressed up as a Jester,” says Michael. “People busted out of their comfort zone and had fun dressing up!”

CLE ELUM — Tumble Creek membership may be exclusive, but the Suncadia neighborhood offers a community that homeowners say is welcoming and inclusive.

“Suncadia is a sunny mountainside playground for people of all ages, just 80 easy miles from Seattle,” says Richard Seay, vice president of sales and marketing at Suncadia. “At Suncadia, you step out of urban life and into something that’s all too rare: a place where you know your neighbors instead of just passing them on the way to work.”

He says nowhere is that more true than at Tumble Creek, a gated community at Suncadia that is exclusive to those who own one of its homesites. Tumble Creek features a golf course, swim and fitness facilities, tennis courts, parks and a deluxe members-only camping experience.

“What is it like having a home in Tumble Creek? It’s pretty spectacular,” Seay says. “Every time you cross the old bridge spanning the Cle Elum River, you feel the energy rise. When your backyard is as vast and as wild as Tumble Creek’s, and a river runs right through it, there are endless enticing options right outside your door: fly-fishing, canoeing, rafting, mountain biking, hiking, picnicking.”

Among the amenities for homeowners is Sasse Mt. Outpost, a members-only “glamping” experience. Canvas tents include real beds, and staff is available to assist when needed.

Named one of the top private courses in America by Golf Digest, the Tumble Creek Club Course was designed by Tom Doak while moving as little earth as possible to create a unique golf experience.

“Most homeowners choose to join the Tumble Creek Club, the social and recreational foundation of the community,” Seay says. “Membership includes access to the best of Tumble Creek: swimming and wellness activities at the Hill House, deluxe camping at Sasse Mt. Outpost, gourmet dining and socializing at the Golf House & Grill.

“Though Tumble Creek community-building happens naturally among neighbors, we do everything we can to help it along. Our roster of events includes monthly Corkscrew wine club gatherings, movie nights, Father’s Day fly-fishing, golf cart parades, bicycle scavenger hunts and much more.”

Located in the North Cascade Mountains, Suncadia’s 6,400-acre property is in close proximity to ski resorts, lakes and wine country, which makes Tumble Creek an ideal basecamp for adventurers.

After selling its first seven homes at Miner’s Camp, Suncadia Real Estate will release the next five homes in the neighborhood’s first phase this month.

By guest author, Suncadia Real Estate

CLE ELUM — After selling its first seven homes at Miner’s Camp, Suncadia Real Estate will release the next five homes in the neighborhood’s first phase this month.

“The location of this neighborhood, along with the design and quality of these homes, has made Miner’s Camp so successful,” says Jeff Gay, listing agent for Miner’s Camp. “We are seeing families jump at the chance to purchase a home here.”

Gay says Suncadia, located 80 miles from Seattle, is the city’s backyard escape.

“From sea level to mountainside, it’s a journey from grey city to blue sky, from tight timelines to an open window of possibilities,” he says. “Becoming an owner at Suncadia makes every weekend, or any time, a vacation — no plane ticket or plans required. Owning at Suncadia gives your family a unique legacy — a getaway and a homecoming, all at once.”

If finding the perfect Suncadia property is a dream come true, then finding the right person to make that happen is equally important. At Suncadia, we have a team of brokers who are as passionate about the resort and community they work at as they are about helping families find their dream home. This week, we want to introduce you to Nanci Koss.

A broker with 27 years experience, Nanci hails from Northern Virginia but lived all across the East Coast before settling in the Pacific Northwest 11 years ago. “We decided to give Washington a try and loved it. We are never going back to the East Coast,” she says. An avid horseback rider, biker, and hiker, Nanci joined the Suncadia real estate team in 2006.

“The proximity to Seattle and the Tri-Cities area makes Suncadia an easy getaway,” says Nanci. “The whole family atmosphere is great, and you can’t beat the location, with the Wenatchee National Forest as your backyard.” Nanci recently added a new property to her listings, a stunning home she says will be perfect for a multi-generational family or even as a rental property.

Her new listing on Equinox Drive is being built by Woodridge Custom Homes, a company that has already built 80 homes in Suncadia and is known for its top-notch finished work. “What makes this home special is the sheer size of it,” says Nanci of the 4500-square-foot home that can sleep up to 16 people. Once completed, it will feature in-floor heating throughout the entire house, five bedrooms, some with built-in bunks, and a wonderful game room with a wine bar in the basement. “The home will have a contemporary flare to the upstairs, and the game room downstairs will have a more rustic feel to it,” says Nanci.

A set of accordion doors in the great room will open to an elevated deck with a covered outdoor space complete with a kitchen, plus a sitting area with a gas fireplace that overlooks the golf course. In the front of the house will be an additional outdoor patio with southeast exposure. “What’s cool about that is that it is more of a courtyard with a full masonry fireplace, with beams that will be trellised up top—a very European feel to it,” says Nanci.

Set at the end of a peaceful cul de sac with a family park at the entrance, the lane is very close to the heart of Suncadia, which means kids can ride their bikes to the Swim and Fitness Center, and adults can take a leisurely walk and be sitting down for dinner at the restaurant or enjoying a glass of wine at the winery in no time.

With views that look out directly onto the green of Prospector Golf course, lots of outdoor spaces to entertain, and more than enough room for the entire family, there’s lots to love about this home. As Nanci puts it: “This home has it all!”