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HEAD FOR THE HILLS The stuff that’s in the news – both national and global – is enough to make anyone want to head for the hills. That is not why I’m planning to move to Holden Village, high in the North Cascade Mountains. I’m not running away but toward. I will join the Holden staff in December as publications coordinator. Originally a mining village, Holden became a Lutheran “center for renewal” fifty years ago – after the ore ran out. I’ve heard it described as “a retreat center for extroverts.” Holden is one of the most isolated, continuously-occupied communities in the lower 48 states. It takes most of a day to get there, starting with a boat ride up beautiful Lake Chelan. Once off the boat, you board a small bus (or in winter, a “Cat”) to ascend eleven miles of heart-stopping switch-backs. When you finally alight from the bus you’re ready to kiss the ground, but your eyes are drawn upward to the magnificent snow-clad peaks towering immediately overhead. Village buildings tucked into the mountainside include lodges, a large dining hall, meeting rooms and library, pool hall, bowling alley and even a school. There’s a sauna and hot tub – particularly welcome, no doubt, in winter. Last winter villagers shoveled their way through 322 inches of snow. That was unusually high; the average is only 270 inches. Thousands of people visit Holden annually, mostly in summer, to hike, fish and explore creative ventures in the arts. In winter, the visitors decline in numbers to those hearty souls who wish to cross-country ski, snowshoe or simply reflect amidst the immense quiet of alpine wilderness. “What type of person comes to Holden?” That’s one of the FAQs on the website (http://www.holdenvillage.org/). The simple answer: Everybody. Every age, race and nationality; every sexual, political and religious orientation. The center is rooted in the Lutheran Christian tradition, but “[n]on-Christians can feel comfortable in an atmosphere of mutual acceptance and conversation.” It was that open-hearted hospitality that warmed me to the community when I visited briefly last spring. Most of the Holden staff are short-term volunteers. There is a small, long-term staff and I am gratified to be accepted as one, especially at age 67. I anticipate I’ll be among the oldest, if not THE oldest, staff member. It will be interesting to explore that role – and to explore the meaning of isolation. There are no telephones, not even cell phones, and no television. There is limited Internet access, so I look forward to sharing this adventure with you. Between now and then, I have a lot to do. Most painful will be saying goodbye to the mostly-black-lab who has been at my side for the past three years, and even now is curled up at my feet as I write. Dogs are not allowed at Holden for numerous good reasons. And though I’m not running away from it, I don’t mind the prospect of going through an election year with no TV or radio.
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