This summer I had planned on spending an abundance of time on my myriad of writing projects but I had forgotten how distracting summer sunshine can be. Between camping trips, kayaking, family parties, and church events, my summer writing time has just slipped away. While I may not have spent as much time as I would have liked inside on my computer working, I can’t say my time was wasted.
One of the primary activities I had scheduled for this summer was a week long trip to Holden Village with several members of my church family. I knew this trip would be one of renewal and inspiration even though I’d never been to Holden before.
Holden Village was once a small copper mining town located deep in the North Cascade Mountains. Long after the mine closed, the village was turned over to a Lutheran school and has since been used as a spiritual retreat center. To say it is remote is an understatement. Getting to Holden requires a drive up the shores of Lake Chelan, a two hour boat ride to Lucerne, then a ten mile bus ride up a mountain and deep into the wilderness.
Holden is off the grid literally. They draw and treat their water from Copper Creek and operate their own hydroelectric plant. There is zero cell reception, no television, minimal internet (barely enough to check your email on a computer located in the village library), and almost no way for guests to reach the outside world during their stay.
Guest accommodations are simple rustic lodge rooms complete with a sink and mice if you don’t seal up your food. Bathrooms are communal and located on each floor. Meals are served cafeteria style in the dining hall and the menu is largely vegetarian. Several days a week the village operates a snack bar where guests can buy ice cream provided you schedule your activities when the bar is open.
Every evening at Holden Village, a vespers service is held where the entire community gathers for a short time. Announcements are made and blessings are given to new arrivals and those about to depart.
My first few days at Holden I carried my phone around with me out of habit. I took pictures with it but I don’t generally take a lot of photos with my phone. After a few days I noticed I began to leave my phone behind. I did not miss it.
I spent my time attending sessions with speakers from around the world who gave insight and twists on bible stories I’d heard since I was a kid. I ate meals with my extended church family. I went hiking and explored the natural area around the village. I played board games and sang songs.
With each passing day, I felt renewed and refreshed. I was eager for the next day, not because it put me one step closer to eventually going home, but because I had no idea what the next day would teach me about myself, my family, and our place in the larger world.
I saw an abundance of deer and ground squirrels. I saw what wildfire can do to a forest. I saw bears. I saw the efforts of a major mining company in their cleanup of Railroad Creek which had been contaminated by the old copper mine. I saw new life. I saw the stars.
While I was eager to return home for some much needed protein I really didn’t want to return to the greater world. I didn’t want to return to news of shootings, injustice, corruption and pollution. I found such peace and tranquility in those mountains and sometimes the real world sucks.
Reentry was an adjustment but I was only gone a week so it wasn’t long before my phone was back in my pocket at all times and I was in the grove of my normal routine. Yet a piece of Holden has stayed with me. I don’t know how long I can keep that spark inside lit but I hope to share with you a few of the things I picked up on my pilgrimage. Stay tuned for more about my trip to Holden in the coming weeks.
End Transmission.