about holden
ahh summer. i live for vacations. no sooner am i home from one adventure than i start dreaming and planning for the next. i also try to savor the beauty of each trip and carry that feeling with me.
holden is a special place, one that i hope we can return to time and again. its an old copper mining town that was deeded to the lutheran church in the 60's. it is now operated as a retreat, year round. in the summer they have a family camp that i have dubbed "jesus camp". holden is open to all no matter your belief but the one request they have is that you attend the evening service called vespers. the first year we were there, hazel leaned over to me during the service and loudly whispered, "mom, whats praying". i thought i would chaffe at sitting each night in church, but actually most of the time i find it easy to do.
it is located on the border of the glacier peak wilderness in the north cascades of washington. it is the definition of remote. an epic journey gets you there- a six hour drive to chelan, a night in a motel, a 3.5 hour ferry ride then an hour by bus up the mountain to the village. what awaits is lovely, a euopean looking cluster of buildings surrounded by gorgeous mountain peaks and miles of wilderness. last year we saw a bear about 5 minutes from the village.
there are all of the things that made the place a company town in the 30's and 40's- a dining hall, dorm buildings, a pool hall and bowling alley, a library, a bookstore,an art studio and ice cream parlor. there are no cars so the kids can go anywhere. the dining hall serves 3 meals a day. really great mostly vegetarian food. and there is home made bread available around the clock.
for me as a single mom, it is the perfect vacation: no cooking, shopping or cleaning. free childcare for half the day and its in the wilderness! i love it and come home so relaxed after spending time there. my focus is on reading and hiking. but if you were inclined there are speakers and talks about current events ( often via the churches viewpoint) and of course bible study. but you could just as easily hike all day every day .
it is set along the banks of railroad creek which is a lovely place to sit and enjoy. the dorm rooms are simple but fine. a bunk bed, a double, a sink and the bathroom down the hall.
we met some really nice people there. the girls made lots of art projects, swam in the hot tub, learned some jesus songs and even learned what praying is.
holden is a special place, one that i hope we can return to time and again. its an old copper mining town that was deeded to the lutheran church in the 60's. it is now operated as a retreat, year round. in the summer they have a family camp that i have dubbed "jesus camp". holden is open to all no matter your belief but the one request they have is that you attend the evening service called vespers. the first year we were there, hazel leaned over to me during the service and loudly whispered, "mom, whats praying". i thought i would chaffe at sitting each night in church, but actually most of the time i find it easy to do.
it is located on the border of the glacier peak wilderness in the north cascades of washington. it is the definition of remote. an epic journey gets you there- a six hour drive to chelan, a night in a motel, a 3.5 hour ferry ride then an hour by bus up the mountain to the village. what awaits is lovely, a euopean looking cluster of buildings surrounded by gorgeous mountain peaks and miles of wilderness. last year we saw a bear about 5 minutes from the village.
there are all of the things that made the place a company town in the 30's and 40's- a dining hall, dorm buildings, a pool hall and bowling alley, a library, a bookstore,an art studio and ice cream parlor. there are no cars so the kids can go anywhere. the dining hall serves 3 meals a day. really great mostly vegetarian food. and there is home made bread available around the clock.
for me as a single mom, it is the perfect vacation: no cooking, shopping or cleaning. free childcare for half the day and its in the wilderness! i love it and come home so relaxed after spending time there. my focus is on reading and hiking. but if you were inclined there are speakers and talks about current events ( often via the churches viewpoint) and of course bible study. but you could just as easily hike all day every day .
it is set along the banks of railroad creek which is a lovely place to sit and enjoy. the dorm rooms are simple but fine. a bunk bed, a double, a sink and the bathroom down the hall.
we met some really nice people there. the girls made lots of art projects, swam in the hot tub, learned some jesus songs and even learned what praying is.
posted by chris at
4:27 PM
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