Leaving Holden

Our final exit from Holden the other day was an ultimate reminder of just how far removed from the rest of the world Holden is. Already, less than 24 hours after getting off the boat for the last time, our Holden is experience feels like a dream; surreal, and I wonder how I will integrate the experience into the totality of my life. Holden is a place apart, and we were smacked with just how far apart it is almost immediately after the boat.
Between the Village and the Field’s Point dock, the only departure from “normal” was that, after the drumming and loading and waving and hugging and crying that accompany most long-term goodbyes, we had to switch buses because the brakes in the original bus didn’t work. Having brakes is always helpful, especially for navigating the notorious Holden switchbacks, and on this day, with the snow pummeling the Village and all of Lake Chelan, the delay was understandably appreciated. Nancy RB still got us to the A-frame well before the boat’s arrival.
We made it to the dock with 2 full large suitcases, a large stuffed duffle-bag, one packed box, and a half-filled carry-on suitcase. Not bad for 2 people after 18 months. I packed up our bags in one of the Field’s Point carts while Matt P. went to get the car. After loading up the car, Matt took off to meet me by the office. But the front-wheel drive Saturn couldn’t make it up the road. The engine overheated and died about halfway up the road. When I arrived, there was Matt yelling obscenities at his now stuck car amidst the smoke and strong smell of burning rubber. We shoveled and pushed, but couldn’t get the car out. Finally, Jacci pulled up, gave us a jump, and Matt guided the car back down the road, ready to start further back.
But, to gives us the best shot, we decided to put chains on the tires. After this relatively brief fiasco, Matt gunned the car and amazingly made it up the hill. I felt hope we would finally get on the road. But, what was Matt doing? He cut the engine. Why? As I approached the car I realized the chains we had just put around the L front tire were now only on the lower half of the tire. The other half or the chain was wrapped around the wheel axel.

- ML

(Matt P continues) … yes it was true, I was pretty upset because of our car fiasco. There were a couple of reasons for this: one, I was feeling very overwhelmed after our departure and its attendant emotions … two I was really really ready to get over the mountains, and this whole thing delayed us by a couple of hours. Three, I really want t sell that car and not have to worry about it anymore. This seemed like a step in the wrong direction. In any case, I cut the chain loose (with a pair of garden wire clippers, thanks to Jacci) and we finally got going. After replacing our destroyed chains in the Wenatchee WalMart, we made it over Stevens Pass, through less than Ideal conditions.

Thanks be to God we are safe and sound on the west side now, among family, tired and dazed, but grateful.

I’m thinking constantly of my Holden friends and family, spread far and wide. Peace be with all of you … I hope you had a wonderful Christmas there. We miss you.

Tonight our family here in Vancouver is taking us out to eat Sushi. Life is good.

-MP