skamania

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 23:53:58 GMT

Introduction: The Coves' History

NATIVE SPIRITS & SPIRIT PENNIES

of Skamania Coves

As experienced by

Cinda Stevens Lonsway

Steward of Skamania Coves

written February 14, 2024

"Want to hear a ghost story—a ghost story that isn’t scary, but one filled with magic and mystery?”

Sit back and enjoy this tale that will take you on a journey of the ancestors of this land; this land we lovingly call Skamania Coves.

The story I am about to share doesn’t require your belief, just your open mind and heart. Once you are done reading, head outside and see if you too can experience the gifts and magic this land has to offer…….

Introduction: The Coves' History

First, a bit of history.

My name is Cinda. My husband is Scott Lonsway. Together with Tom Garnier and Jerry Dettwiler, we purchased these 30 acres when the houses and land came up for auction in late 2006. The condition of the property at that time was dismal. The land and homes were in different states of disarray, some possibly needing to be condemned. For example: What we now call the Bluff House, had French doors that opened to a missing deck which had rotted and fallen away. Next door, the adjoining Condos were surrounded by chicken-wire fencing which encased a motley collection of garbage, discarded batteries, cars, and old furniture and plumbing fixtures. In some houses you could push your finger into the wall and watch it crumble under the pressure.

When we took over the property, we heard rumors that drugs were sold from some of the houses. The back acreage, where the Osprey Treehouse now stands, we found scores of trash piles - a literal dump! Without security gates, the riverfront and private railroad crossing had been unsafely crossed and beach traffic unmonitored.

The renovation of homes and surrounding land seemed daunting, but Scott had a vision and we all showed up in support of it.

We began our renovation in the following stages:

Stage ONE: 2007 - we filled 40 large truck loads of garbage, removed multiple abandoned travel trailers and cars. We installed two security gates. Then, we began the never-ending pruning of the overgrown bushes and trees. In the process we uncovered multiple stone walls and ancient natural rock formations found buried under blackberry bushes, weeds, and neglect.

Stage TWO: Early 2008 - we renovated the RV laundry room and restrooms, then laid fresh gravel for the RV spaces. We opened our RV business that spring.

Mid 2008 - we remodeled the charming Riverhouse and built the soundproof fence creating its own private compound. We opened the Riverhouse for guests that summer.

Stage THREE: Early 2009 - working with the Friends of the Gorge (environmental group), inspectors, and the city of Stevenson, we got permission to tear down the Bluff House, Beacon Rock and Sternwheeler Condos, and the High House. We were given permission to rebuild if we kept the same footprint as the building before and painted the houses in natural tones to not be seen from the river. Note: restrictions state that no new houses along the river can be built, only remodeled, so we were fortunate to be able to build from scratch to ensure the standards we visualized for the property.

We hired architect Tom Owen from Cascade Locks and The Betz & Sons Construction team from Hood River to design and build the new homes.

Stage FOUR: Late 2010 - we opened to the public the Bluff House and the two Condos. During our Grand Opening, we invited all the businesses and people that helped make these homes a reality. One gentleman approached us and said that his company milled the large beams we have throughout the new houses. He then said that it is his family/company that also supplied the spectacular beams used in the historic Timberline Lodge.

Stage FIVE: Mid 2012 - we built and opened the High House. Below the High House, we laid the cement for the substantial garage, which acts as the retaining wall and extended patio for the home.

Stage SIX: 2014 - we remodeled the Overlook House. This house is the original house on the property. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks built this home in the 1940’s. Mr. Brooks was a master woodworker and created the beautiful inlaid wood ceilings of both the Overlook and the Riverhouse. The Brooks had multiple foster children, whose names are carved into the Overlook ceiling. Some of these now grown children have come to visit and stay in their childhood home.

Stage SEVEN: 2015 – we rebuilt the old Garden Shed located within the compound of the Riverhouse. This one room shed had no floor and a roof that was caving into itself from the weight of moss and weeds growing on it. It was once an actual garden shed. Our nephew had spray painted, “The Ritz” on its side. We called it this for years until we built it back up and turned it into the charming, one bedroom, half bath with an outside shower Garden Shed that it is now.

Stage EIGHT: 2016 - we partnered with The Treehouse Guys TV show to build our Osprey Treehouse. You can watch the episode online. Season 3, Episode 6. Titled: Bigfoot Hideout in Washington State. Filmed: August 10, 2017. It is currently streaming on Apple TV.

Stage NINE: NOW. Present Day 2024 – After sharing this story with multiple guests, they suggested I write it down. This is the story of the synchronicities, the magic, the ghosts, the Native spirits, and the spirit pennies that have helped shape and form this beautiful and sacred property of Skamania Coves.

STORY CONTINUES…… HEAD TO >>>> CHAPTER ONE: SPIRIT PENNIES

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 00:18:03 GMT

Chapter One: Spirit Pennies

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies story begins here:

Please note, out of respect for their privacy, I do not share the names of the two spiritually gifted women I had the honor of experiencing the following events.

In the spring of 2009, I invited a friend to come visit the Coves and stay with me in the completed Riverhouse. As we walked the property, I enthusiastically explained my husband’s vision for the land and houses which had been torn down and their foundations in the process of getting set.

At one point, I glanced over at her and could tell she was disturbed by something.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“Cinda, there is bad energy here,” she said. “Wow…. the spirits of the land are not happy.”

Confused and a bit frightened, I wanted more information. My friend has a gift for sensing energy and spirits, something I didn’t.

Concerned, I asked, “What do you mean?”

“The spirits are aggravated. With the busyness of the highway north and the noise and banging of the passing trains south, this land is sandwiched between this hectic, unsteady energy. The Native spirits of this land are anxious. They are not happy.”

I’ve known this woman a long time. I trusted her intuition.

“I don’t want angry Native spirits! We’re here to make things better! Crap! What can we do to appease them?”

What do irritated spirits do anyway? Were we in the center of another Blair Witch Project?

Part of Scott’s vision is to create a peaceful, calming place for visitors to enjoy and replenish their own spirits by taking in the beauty and serenity of this place. We did not want to scare customers away with angry, irritated, anxious spirits.

“I’ve heard they love sparkly objects!” she blurted. “Perhaps you can hang sparkly things in the trees to distract them?”

I had visions of the mighty firs and magnificent white oaks with tinsel hung and twisted throughout their branches. This was not an option.

“I am NOT going to hang trash in our trees! There must be another way to make them happy.”

That night, I tossed and turned. I sent messages to the land spirits, making it up as I went, trying to assure them that all was well, to please not be angry. When morning finally came and with coffee in hand, the two of us walked down to the river. With each step, my friend spoke to the spirits. I have no idea what she said, but trusted it went well because when we arrived at the High House, we found the answer we were seeking.

As we stood on top of the High House’s newly laid foundation, I pointed out where the bedrooms, bathrooms, living room, and kitchen would be built. The High House is nestled behind a steep hill, which offers secluded privacy and yet it still has incredible views up and down the river. It is called the High House because it sits at the highest point on the property and we imagined sitting in a hot tub, taking in that view.

That’s when something caught my eye. Something sparkly. I bent over to take a closer look.

“Look! Pennies!”

“Pennies?” my friend asked, surprised. “Why is there a pile of pennies left here?”

“I have no idea!” I picked them up and counted. There were twelve pennies. “I swear, I didn’t see them when we arrived, and they weren’t here yesterday.”

Note: this is the part of the story where everyone asks, what were the dates on the coins? I did not look. I didn’t know it was a thing…that the dates might have meant something.

“Hey, could these be considered sparkly things? Could we scatter them around the property to distract the spirits?” I asked hopefully.

“Yes!” She answered enthusiastically. “They love coins!”

“We have six houses! We could put one at every front and back door! Even if the house isn’t built yet, we could hide it where the doors would be! Would this work?”

“Yes! Let’s do it!”

We walked the property and at each house we offered two pennies to the land and the Native spirits.

It wasn’t until years later that we realized the importance of that choice we made. Native spirits do like sparkly things, especially pennies.

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER TWO: PENNIES ARE MULTIPLYING

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Sat, 01 Jun 2024 02:51:54 GMT

Chapter Two: Pennies are Multiplying

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

This story picks up in 2012, maybe it was 2013. The houses had been built and we were in the process of renovating the Overlook.

Scott, my husband, had been reading the journals of Lewis and Clark. There is a section within their writing where they discuss a spot along the Columbia River that could very well be our property. The map they drew resembles the curve in the river where we are now. Also, we Pacific Northwesterners are aware of the kindness and help the Native people offered these pioneers which led to the success in their quest.

With this in mind, Scott suggested that we do something to cleanse the land and honor the Native spirits. I agreed.

I agreed because around this time, a strange phenomenon had been taking place. Pennies. Pennies were being found all over the property—pennies—not quarters or dimes or nickels— pennies.

One day, our manager Kristin’s husband, Brad, drove the riding lawn mower up to me. He had been mowing the RV park and was headed up to the Bluff and Condos to mow their lawns.

He held out his hand and asked me, “Look at this. Do you ever find pennies on the property? I just found these three in the RV grass. It’s strange, I find pennies in the weirdest of places.”

I didn’t know what to say at first. I too have found pennies in the strangest places—on the floor in the workroom, in a random nightstand drawer, in a basket shoved in the back of our supply closet. Once I even found a penny on the seat of my car, I promise it wasn’t there before. Pennies have been found on the deck of a house and in its driveway but none in the same spot I originally hid them.

I decided to tell Brad the story about how years earlier, my friend and I shared pennies with the Native spirits at each house.

“I think they’ve turned it into a game with us,” I suggested.

“Well, that’s sort of spooky,” he said, obviously not sure if he should believe me or not. “What should I do with them?”

“It’s a gift,” I said encouragingly.

When I started finding pennies and chose to believe it was a game played with the Natives of the land, I created three rules…. “You have three options,” I told him. “You can keep them as the gift they are meant to be. Say thank you. Put them in your back pocket and know they have your back. Or you can leave the penny where you found it, for someone else to find. Or you can hide them wherever you want, this keeps the game going.”

“Yeah…. okay,” he said. “I guess I’ll keep the game going….”

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER THREE: THE RIVERHOUSE

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Fri, 31 May 2024 02:36:45 GMT

Chapter Three: The Riverhouse

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

I loved Scott’s suggestion to honor the Native people who once lived on our land. His idea to bless and cleanse the property seemed like the best way to do this. I reached out to a friend who practices Native American rituals and blessings. She didn’t hesitate in her acceptance.

We met at the Riverhouse’s gate entrance. I opened the double doors of the fence for her to enter. I wasn’t sure how this would go, what she would do, or how I could help. As if reading my mind, she handed me her basket of supplies. The cloth basket smelled of sage and lavender. I could see a cloth bag filled with dried herbs, long leaves of brown tobacco, a box of cornmeal, candles, a lighter, an abalone shell, feathers, and a medium sized drum with padded mallets. She walked around me and stood at the path.

“I’m feeling into the land and sensing what the land needs from me,” she said.

Slowly, she walked down the pebbled path, past the old garden shed and onto the lawn overlooking the river.

“Woah…the energy is so unsettled here. It’s making me motion sick,” she said, holding her arms out as if to steady herself. “There has been a lot of activity here…pain…. suffering…. fighting…. guns…. fear…. This is going to take work to get it back to its original, clear state.”

This information saddened me. The Riverhouse with its gorgeous views and surrounding lawn is very special. I didn’t want it to be anything but the beautiful and peaceful spot we designed it to be. I worried that by inviting her, I’d be told things about the land that I didn’t want to be true. I didn’t want this land to be anything but happy—as happy and grateful as we are with it.

Yet, I trusted this woman. I’ve worked with her before. I felt I had to see this through now that it started.

I followed her as she walked around the porch to the side of the house. I placed the basket on the steps and watched as she wandered to the far back corner of the property. She disappeared into the trees behind the hill. Curious, I hurried to catch up with her. She was in some sort of trance. Maybe following some kind of guidance? She dipped into the brush following a path used by wildlife to get down to the river. Then she stopped, bent down, and picked up a long narrow black feather.

“There you are,” she said to the feather. “Perfect. Thank you.”

Okay, things were getting interesting…. feathers were speaking to her…. and this was just the beginning.

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER FOUR: NATIVE MEDICINE

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Thu, 30 May 2024 02:46:01 GMT

Chapter Four: Native Medicine

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

“Was the feather talking to you?” I asked.

“Not exactly,” she said. “I had a feeling, as if being guided by the land or the spirits of the land, to go in that direction. I didn’t know what they wanted me to find until I found the feather. It belonged to a Turkey Vulture. This seems fitting because vultures eat dead animals, keeping the environment clean. This is what we are doing—except clearing the land of stagnant energy.”

She continued, “Feathers are used to direct the smoke from the smudging bowl to where it needs to go. The smoke both cleanses and blesses so we’ll be smudging each location. I brought my own feathers, but the land has shown me that using one of its own is better. Following this lead, I feel we should use dried vegetation from the forest here. We will honor the land with her own medicine.”

Together, she and I gathered dried fern stems, fallen leaves, pinecones, fir needles, brown wild grass, blackberry leaves and blossoms, and anything else that seemed like it would burn. Then we took the items into the Riverhouse. She took a bowl from the cabinet and started singing and chanting a beautiful song of words I didn’t understand as she tore and crushed and crumbled and mixed the gathered plants.

“I am feeling into the medicine… The white sage and tobacco I brought are incredibly sacred to the Native people and I feel it’s important to add them to the mix.”

She reached into her basket and pulled out long brown fragrant leaves of tobacco. We tore the oily leaves into small sections. The fabulous smell filled the house as if an old man had lit his pipe. She hummed in acceptance and appreciation. Next, she added the flakes of sage into the bowl now filled to the rim with a potpourri of color and smells.

Then, she took a handful of this sacred “medicine,” held it above her head and recited a prayer of sorts and then placed it into the abalone shell. She set it aside with the lighter next to it.

From her basket, she took out the box of cornmeal, “Corn has been described as the gold of the people. It is valuable for it does more than just feed us. It also offers protection.” She took a small bowl and filled it with the yellow powder.

“Since you are the new steward of this land, I feel it is important that it be you who sprinkles the corn around the perimeter. And it should be you who will smudge the buildings. But first, I must clear the land.”

I followed her outside and watched as she stood on the lawn, facing the river with her eyes closed. She held out her arms, swaying slightly with her palms down as she sensed the energy in her hands. Then, she slowly brought her hands together and moved them around each other as if tying knots. It was a beautiful, if not powerful dance to witness. Next, she then interlaced her fingers, flattened her hands, and lowered her arms as if pushing something of substance into the earth.

Her eyes remained closed as she explained the dance, “I am casting an energetic net 100 feet all around, above, and below. I will use this net to gather all the stagnant, dark, ancient energies left behind. It will gather the remains of disease, war, and its tools of death. I may need to do this a few times, but it will cleanse and purge the land, bringing it back to its natural state.”

She turned her palms up and raised her arms pulling at the invisible net (filled with scary stuff).

“Oh… I see guns, weapons of war…. There were many wounded perhaps killed…. I need to weave a tighter net to pull out the energy left from those who were harmed.”

She repeated the process. When she was finished, she raised her hands as she released the energy to the sky.

“Now, we protect the land to ensure it remains clean. Please, take the cornmeal and sprinkle it around the perimeter.”

I rushed inside, grabbed the bowl, and walked the fence line sprinkling the powder. When I finished, she directed me to bring the abalone shell filled with dried plants, the lighter, and the feather to her. She lit the herbs until they caught fire and began to smoke, then handed me the shell.

“Let’s begin by smudging The Ritz first,” she said using the nickname of the old, dilapidated garden shed.

The small one room building was more of a hut. Its roof weighed down with pounds of moss and grass and weeds. We pulled open its door. Inside the dark, dirt covered room lay a couple of abandoned wooden pallets and nothing else.

Or so I thought….

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER FIVE: NATIVE SPIRITS

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Wed, 29 May 2024 02:57:59 GMT

Chapter Five: Native Spirits

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

“Hold the shell in the palm of one hand. Use the other to fan the smoke with the feather. Guide the smoke around the interior. Be sure to get the corners and walls too,” she directed.

I entered the shed with the smoking shell held out in front of me. I waved the feather through the smoke and watched as the smoke flowed in the direction I guided it. Fascinating!

As I walked around in the darkness, my friend chanted and sang a song, a blessing, helping to clear away the energies left behind.

“Stop!” her voice thundered in the quiet space, “Stop!”

I froze.

“Quick, take the smudge outside,” she whispered in a firm tone. “There is a young Native boy cowering in the corner over there. He is frightened.”

She pointed to the corner of the room. I looked, knowing I’d see nothing.

“He is alone, waiting for his mother to return. He is pleading for us not to make him leave without her. I need to reassure him that we are not here to banish him.”

I left the garden shed and waited for her to come back out. I didn’t know what to do so I just stood there with a smoking shell in my hand, getting hotter by the second. My knees were shaking.

There is a ghost inside that shed!

A few moments later, she came out with a hand covering her heart. She closed the door behind her.

“He’s okay,” she assured me. “We’ll let him be for now. It must be up to him to leave. Is the shell getting hot? Do we need to refill it?”

We went back into the Riverhouse and as she prepared for the next smudging round, she whispered to me, “Cinda, there is a Native woman on the other side of the tracks. She is asking to be allowed inside the fence line but can’t enter because of the shield of protection we set with the cornmeal. Please invite her in. Give her permission to enter the circle.”

I was standing right next to my friend. I looked through the window over the sink facing the railroad. The tracks are yards away hidden by the tall fence and a hillside. Yet, she could see through all the barriers and said that a woman, a Native woman, was talking to her.

Another ghost! And she wants me to go get her?!

“Um…Okay…,” I said, stumbling over my fear.

I walked to the far end of the property, where she had found the feather earlier. I squeezed around the end of the fence and walked toward the tracks.

“Hello, Native woman,” I called out to no one. I tried not to feel silly or embarrassed. I truly wanted to be respectful and honor her and my friend. “I give you permission to enter my property. Please, you are welcome. Follow me.”

I turned and retraced my steps back to the house.

“Is she here?” I asked my friend who was standing on the front porch.

“Yes. She’s gone to the boy. It is her son,” she answered.

“Do you mean that we separated them with our work?” I asked concerned.

“No, just the opposite. The energy of the land had separated them. Since we’ve cleansed things, she was able to come back. But out of respect for the work, she asked for permission. They are together now. Reunited in the shed.” Her voice cracked with emotion.

Continuing, she said, “I’m going to go stand along the water and bless the river with my drum. Please smudge the interior of this house and the other storage garage.”

I went back into the Riverhouse, lit the dried plants, and carried the shell with its smoking contents throughout the two buildings. As I waved the feather across the smoke directing it into corners and cabinets and closets, I asked for all energies that were not in alignment with the land and our vision for the property to leave.

As I did this, I could see my friend standing on the rock that jetted out into the river. She stood with her arms out to her sides. I watched as she picked up her drum and beat it to a rhythm I couldn’t hear from where I stood. The wind blew the sound away from me.

When she returned, her eyes were misty with tears. “I asked the mother and child if they wanted to leave, which they did. My spirit guides walked with them out onto the water, into the center of the river, and then they disappeared downstream. I serenaded their departure with the drum. It was beautiful.”

Since I couldn’t sense what she sensed or see what she could see or communicate with the Native spirits as she can or know what she knows, I had to depend on her to direct me with what she needed, translate what she heard, and tell me what she was seeing and sensing.

We had just released two ghosts and tons of dark matter. I hoped that that was enough to get the land back to its natural happy state of being.

Wishful hoping….

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER SIX: THE OVERLOOK

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Tue, 28 May 2024 03:12:05 GMT

Chapter Six: The Overlook

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

After we finished clearing the Riverhouse we packed up her belongings, locked up the house, and drove up to the Overlook.

The Overlook is the original house on the property. We used it for storage and as a workroom while we built the other houses. We weren’t yet sure what our plans were for it, we only knew we had to protect its beautiful wood inlaid ceiling.

We went into the kitchen and unpacked her basket. She decided we would smudge the house first, so we opened all the doors and windows to allow the smoke to carry the cleansed energies out. Then, I lit the dried plants and carried the smoking shell as she walked the rooms and she beat her drum.

“I hear children, many of them laughing and running through the house,” she mentioned.

Interestingly, she didn’t know that the Brooks, who originally owned this land and built the houses, had many foster children. Some of the children’s names are carved into the glorious wooden ceiling.

When we walked into the back bedroom, she stopped beating the drum. “There is anger in this room. Voices are raised, maybe even violence. I hear a woman screaming, ‘Stop!’ She’s in a wheelchair, over there in that corner, her hands raised, covering her face.”

She pounded her drum and chanted in a firm demanding tone. She told me to take extra time to wave the feather and guide the smoke through the room and out the open windows.

“What you saw… it was recent?” I asked.

“Yes, it could be residual energy from any of the tenants. It is fortunate that this beautiful home can let that go now.”

We then went outside to protect the perimeter with cornmeal. At that time, access to the attic was under the carport. A set of stairs were enclosed with a door that locked on the outside. She pointed at the door.

“Does this go anywhere?” she asked. “An attic? We should smudge this too!”

I lifted the pin that held the latch in place and opened the door. Curious, my friend took a couple steps up and immediately turned around, “I’m not going up there! No WAY! You go.”

What?

“Cinda, you will be safe. But I can’t… I can’t,” she said.

I figured since I couldn’t sense or see what she could, my ignorance was my safety. At least that’s what I told myself.

She gave me the refilled shell and lit the mixture. I climbed the dark narrow stairwell, slowly and cautiously taking one step at a time. I led with the shell extended above me. It grew hotter in my hand as the smoke billowed and curled and expanded in intensity.

Below, my friend chanted and beat her drum.

When the shell reached the level of the floor of the attic, a strong breeze suddenly swept up the staircase. I gasped in surprise. I felt it blow around me and watched as it took the smoke with it. The embers flared, the shell grew almost too hot to handle and the smoke grew thicker as it filled the dark dense space.

My friend beat her drum with more force and chanted even louder.

“Oh my God, oh my God,” I whispered. “What do I do?”

She kept beating the drum and chanting.

As quickly as the gust of air had arrived, it turned and exited down the stairs, carrying the smoke with it.

I screamed and ducked my head as the breeze blew through my hair.

Behind me, I heard my friend scream, “Shit!”

She had set the intention to cleanse the land, homes, and spaces, with the sacred medicine from the land. She had set into motion the healing through her drumming and chanting. We had just witnessed the power of this intention.

What could possibly top this…...?

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER SEVEN: THE RECKONING

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Mon, 27 May 2024 03:24:14 GMT

Chapter Seven: The Reckoning

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

Shaken (not stirred), we gathered ourselves together and finished the protection of the Overlook. Since the High House wasn’t built yet, it was an easy and quick smudge over its open floor plan.

We loaded up her car and drove to the cul-de-sac of the Bluff House, Beacon Rock and Sternwheeler Condos. After a quick tour of the newly built houses, she deemed their energy clean and fresh.

“I’ll do the same ritual as I did at the Riverhouse, this will clear the land under and around the homes.”

We used the back of her car as our prep station. She refilled the shell and the bowl of cornmeal. Then she went and stood in the middle of the gravel circle, facing the Bluff House.

“It seems fitting that we are standing in a circle. I will use it as a medicine wheel and do the clearing four times, honoring the four directions. We follow the path of the sun by beginning facing the East, then the South, to the West, and end honoring the North.”

I watched as she recreated the dance of tying knots and weaving an energetic net and like a Native fisherman, she threw it up and out and under where we stood. After, she pulled out the leftover energy and released it to the sky. Then she turned and faced the river and repeated the same ritual, chanting as she moved, praying as she released.

When she turned and faced West, she paused. She looked up and pointed at the hill toward where the High House would be built. To the left of its foundation is our watershed.

“Cinda, up there…by the watershed…I see an older Native woman. She is cutting her long gray hair,” my friend pantomimed the act of combing and cutting her own hair. “She is in mourning, there’s been a death….”

She took a deep breath. I held mine.

“And over there, up on top of that hill…” she pointed to the right, to the top of the high rock outcropping south of the High House location, “there is another Native woman, a young adult. She is overlooking the river, still waiting for her husband to come home from fishing….”

Without missing a step, without hesitation, without concern for what she just shared with me, she continued with the West facing cleansing ritual. As she moved and wove and tied her energetic knots, I stared at the hillside, at the two women I couldn’t see.

There were rumors of the old High House being haunted, was it these women mourning the loss of their loved ones?

My friend turned to face North, toward the Condos. She began the ritual, the dance, the chanting once more. As she lifted her arms to release the energy into the air, she stopped mid raise and brought her arms back to her sides. She took a few steps forward in complete concentration for what was in front of her.

I followed, glancing around for a hint of what captured her attention.

“What?” I whispered.

She hushed me by waving her hand downward. It appeared that she was seeing something and perhaps even communicating with someone.

“Cinda….,” she whispered. “As I was pulling up the energetic remains, it appears I’ve uncovered a burial site of some kind. There’s an exposed wooden platform over there. A man in full warrior or chieftain dress is laying on top of it.” She pointed to the left side of the Beacon Rock Condo.

“He is sitting up now. He’s talking to me,” she took a few steps closer. I remained where I stood.

“He’s asking who we are? What are we doing….? Why are we here?” She was obviously silently communicating with this warrior, this chieftain, this ghost, and translating what he was saying to me. I did not know how to respond, or if I should. I remained quiet.

She continued, “I feel that this must be his land…. I think this is where his people, his tribe lived. Cinda, this is his home….”

“Is he upset? Is he warning us to leave?” I asked petrified by what she was relaying.

“No, he is curious. He is giving us the benefit. I am telling him who I am….” She grew quiet as she communicated this to him. “I am telling him that you and Scott are the new stewards of the land… that you asked me to cleanse and bless his land, to bring it back to its original state and essence….”

She paused in conversation, “He is asking if I trust these new stewards…. I am telling him that I have known you for years and that, yes, I do trust you…. I am telling him that your husband’s vision for the property is great….is peaceful, respectful.” Pause…. “He is saying that he has not been able to rest…. For centuries this land has not been cared for…. He is hopeful…. I am assuring him that the reason I am here is to offer him that hope….”

Pause…. I took a deep, much needed breath and tried to calm my nerves.

“I feel that I have convinced him of your intention and mine…. I am now offering to escort him away if he would like to leave….”

I cautiously scooted up to my friend and whispered, “He doesn’t need to leave. We can share this land with him and his people.”

I thought of the spirit pennies and the game we played with the Native spirits. My intention was not to make them leave, but to bring them peace of mind. To live with and among them if that was possible.

“No, he is ready to leave. Oh my….” Her voice cracked with emotion. “Cinda, there is a line of warriors that have appeared. They are standing in a row along the driveway….”

She pointed to where she could see them standing. I looked too. Although I couldn’t see what she did, I could visualize. It was breathtaking.

“The old woman who was cutting her hair has come down…. Awe…they’re reunited. The other woman is their daughter, she has joined them too…”

I envied the movie that was playing out in front of us. I wished I could see it with her.

“The Warriors, they are here to escort him away…. Oh Cinda, they are walking toward the river…over the water… …and they are gone... gone downstream.”

Transfixed by what she had just witnessed, neither of us could speak right away. We stood side by side in silence honoring the profound experience.

Still, there was something she didn’t know…. Something I had to tell her. Something that would validate all of this….

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER EIGHT: THE OFFERING

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Sat, 25 May 2024 21:11:49 GMT

Chapter Eight: The Offering

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

“You don’t know this…” I gathered my breath to help my words form, “a few years ago, after we tore down the Bluff House and the Condos, the crew started prepping to lay the foundations.”

She turned to focus on me. My tone was serious, so she would listen.

“They found something,” I continued. “As they were digging up the land by the Beacon Rock Condo, they dug up a duffle bag. It had been buried right where you say you saw the platform and the chief.”

“What was in it?” she asked.

“When the work crew found it, they called my husband. He had them stop what they were doing and told them he’d be right over. It took an hour for Scott to get here and as he drove, he prayed that there wouldn’t be human remains inside.”

I took a needed breath, so did she. “When he arrived, the workmen gathered around as he cautiously opened the duffel bag. Inside, he found a black garbage bag. He untied the knot, pulled the sack open. Inside, he found the rotting remains of a large bird, perhaps an eagle, and a long fish, most likely a salmon.”

“Oh God, I thought you were going to say they found a body!” She let out a chuckle to relieve stress. “The eagle and the salmon are viewed as sacred to the Pacific Northwest tribes. I wonder if they were an offering. Perhaps an offering to the chief?”

“Well, there’s more,” I said.

“Of course there is,” she laughed. “Tell me.”

“Often, Scott and I will come and stay in one of the houses, so he doesn’t need to commute between home and here while he’s working on a project. He does not like staying in the Beacon Rock Condo.”

She tilted her head in curiosity.

“He doesn’t mind staying in the Sternwheeler, though. This is strange because both condos are mirror layouts of the other. We wondered if maybe it was because the Sternwheeler has more natural light, where the Beacon Rock’s side windows face a hill. Or maybe the red furniture in the Sternwheeler Condo offered a more inviting ambiance.”

“But no,” I continued. “He says that when he is in the Beacon Rock Condo, he smells a bad odor—like something had died. And he always gets an eerie feeling. Like he’s not welcome. He has searched for the cause of that smell and can’t find its source. No one else can smell it though.”

Pause….

My friend didn’t respond right away, and her breath shuddered as she inhaled and then exhaled slowly.

“Let me ask the chief…” she finally said. “He is answering…. He says it was him. He was testing this new person, the new steward of his home. But now that he is convinced of Scott’s respect and desire to honor the land, he will leave it in peace.”

It was my turn to shudder. Fascinated to know she could still converse with him….

“I’m impressed by Scott’s sensitivity,” she said. “I feel he should consider finding a way to honor the chief and his people. This will show respect for the land and the Native people that once lived here. If he can find something that can look over this site, it will matter to them.”

I agreed with her and promised that we would figure out a way to do just that.

“I’d like to do a final blessing of protection at the entrance to the property while you spread the cornmeal.” she said, reminding us that we still had work to do.

I grabbed the bowl of cornmeal from the back of her car and started toward the property edge behind the Bluff House. As I did this, I set an even stronger intention of protection than before. We were standing on hallowed ground. It had to be protected at all costs.

When I sprinkled the yellow powder along the Condo’s fence line, I honored the powerful day I just experienced at the leadership of my friend. My heart was full and pounding like the beat of her drum.

I finished and watched her. She stood facing the highway with her arms open. She chanted and banged her drum and then held her hands to the sky.

When she returned, she shared the final blessing with me. I repeat it to this day:

We declare this property cleansed and restored.

The sacredness of this land brought back to its original essence.

Only those whose energy is in alignment with this essence will be welcome.

They will feel the land’s blessing and receive its healing.

Those whose energy is not in alignment, will not be allowed in.

They will feel the need to leave or not make the visit.

As stewards and visitors of this land:

we vow to honor the heart of this space,

to protect the essence of her energy,

to remember those who have lived here before,

and to continue with the vision to maintain its sacredness.

And so, it is.

As it still is….

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER NINE: THE HONORING

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Fri, 24 May 2024 21:43:46 GMT

Chapter Nine: The Honoring

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

Back home in Portland, I shared with Scott all that had taken place that day. Although neither of us expected the extent of what my friend uncovered, and it is such a wild story to share, I knew he would be open to what she and I experienced. Scott is open-minded and chooses to believe something could be real until it’s proven otherwise, where a skeptical person might say they will only believe when something is proven real.

When I described the experience of the Chieftain on top of the burial platform, it validated for him the found duffle bag, the rancid smell, and the eerie feelings he had in that house. It brought Scott relief to know that the Native man accepted his stewardship of the land. He was curious to see if the smell and eerie feelings would be gone when he visited the house again.

He listened in awe and respect and asked many questions. His main concern was that the Native spirits did not feel we banished them. It was and still is imperative to both of us that they know we are willing to live respectfully alongside them. I assured him that my friend had communicated this clearly and that all the spirits chose to leave on their own.

To authenticate this understanding, I told him how my friend was able to still communicate with the spirit of the Chieftain after he had had been escorted off the property by his fellow Warriors. This told us that the spirits were still around if we chose to connect but no longer anchored or tied to the land out of necessity. They were free to come and go as they desired.

I believe this explains how the spirit penny game can still be played. Also, since the necessity to protect is no longer there, the smell and eerie sensations around the Beacon Rock Condo are gone. Since the spirits are untethered, the said haunting of the old High House has never returned once we built the house.

I mentioned how my friend had suggested the importance of honoring the tribal people with something significant and meaningful– an object that would look over his burial site. Scott agreed.

We were on a shared mission. First, we had to find out more about the Native history of Skamania County.

A few days later, when we were back in Stevenson, we visited the Columbia Gorge Museum. This interesting museum has a fantastic collection of photographs, replicas, and displays that feature the Native Gorge inhabitants and its history up to modern times.

We absorbed all the information the museum had to offer about the original people of this area— specifically, the Wishram band of the Yakama Nation who gave permission for the museum to display a replica of their petroglyph of Tsagaglalal, respectfully translated into She Who Watches from the Wasco-Wishram language.

Mythology has it that Tsagaglalal was a female chief who was deeply concerned about the safety of her people once she was gone. Coyote came to her and told her that soon the world would change and that women would no longer be chiefs. Coyote then tricked her and turned her into a rock, saying, “Now you shall stay here forever, watching over your people and the river.”

Scott and I had a deep realization that the tribe who carved Tsagaglalal into the stones at Dallesport, Washington, located in the Columbia Hills State Park, could have been related to the same tribe of the Chieftain on our property.

It seemed fitting that Chief Tsagaglalal’s protection of her people and land while watching over the river, was similar to the mission of the Chief from our location. This was getting exciting. Learning about the people who came before us made us feel even closer to them.

One night, after eating dinner in downtown Stevenson, we stopped at an art gallery. The artist created metal cutouts from old logging mill blades. The art was incredible. On the wall hung a cut out of Tsagaglalal, [unfortunately we don’t remember the name of this fabulous artist and the gallery is no longer there].

“This could work, don’t you think?” Scott asked, hopeful, excited. “We could hang this on the west side of the Bluff House’s outer beams. She will look down onto the Beacon Rock and the cul-de-sac. She Who Watches, will watch over us.”

Scott had another great idea. He took a can of black spray paint and used the cutout of Tsagaglalal as a stencil, and permanently placed her image onto the rocks surrounding the culde-sac. The face of She Who Watches looks down from the stone hillside on the trail up to the High House, from the rocky hill next to the Beacon Rock Condo, and she also watches from the hill below the Bluff House. With each stencil, he blessed and thanked the Native people for trusting us with their land.

The stencils have long been weathered away or grown over by moss and ferns, but the energy of Tsagaglala is still watching over us.

Next, we visited The History Museum of Hood River. There we learned about the Watlalas tribe of the Chinooks from the Hood River area. We came upon a portrait of a Native woman called Alice Slim Jim Charley taken by Archie McKeown in 1954. The plaque under her black and white photograph said she was the “last survivor of the Hood River Indian tribe, the Watlalas of the Chinooks.”

We wondered if her ancestors were related to the Native people who lived downstream and across the river on our property. Since it made sense that they could have been connected, we purchased a poster of a painting of Alice Slim Jim Charley. Scott hung her image in the back bedroom of the Beacon Rock Condo.

Note: It’s important to say that we found no actual human remains buried on the property. What we uncovered was energetic, spiritual, and mystical. The bird and fish bones found in the duffle bag could have been an offering but would have been buried within the last 70 years (the black garbage bag was invented in 1950). If someone had buried that duffel bag in honor of someone or something, it most likely was buried before the houses were built. We may never know….

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER TEN: SKAMANIA COVES’ ART

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Thu, 23 May 2024 22:19:10 GMT

Chapter Ten: Skamania Coves' Art

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

After the High House was finished, we commissioned Peter X O’Brien, a watercolor artist and good friend, to visit Skamania Coves and paint what inspired him. In addition, Scott challenged him to create old style posters with scenery from our property.

During one of Peter’s visits, we walked the land, and I told him the stories about the Native spirits. Scott suggested that Peter try to capture the image of the woman standing on the hill near the High House to honor her spirit.

Retro Posters:

One of Scott Laser sailing around the iconic rock.

The other of the Sternwheeler which cruises the river right in front of the Riverhouse:

Honoring the High House Native spirit:

The Native woman seen waiting for her husband to come home from fishing.

Note, When I shared this painting with my friend (who had originally seen this woman’s spirit)

she had a visceral reaction to seeing in the physical what she experienced in her mind’s eye:

Peter called this painting Spirit Rock:

This rock is located across from our Big Cove.

He researched the Native people and painted one fishing from his carved-out canoe in our Cove.

Look closely, you can see the hidden Native people and animals in the mountainside.

Find: two lovers, a Native woman sitting, two faces in profile, an eagle, a fox, and a stag.

Prints of these Peter X O’Brien’s paintings are hung throughout our houses.

You can visit his website: http://www.peterxobrien.com

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE OSPREY TREEHOUSE

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Wed, 22 May 2024 22:31:51 GMT

Chapter Eleven: The Osprey Treehouse

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

In 2016, the Treehouse Guys television show from the Discovery Channel, approached us with the idea to build a treehouse on our property. We accepted.

Michael Garnier, one of the five Treehouse Guys, is also the brother to our Coves’ business partner, Tom. Michael is known as the Godfather of adult treehouses. He owns Out N About Treehouse Treesort in southern Oregon. Look it up, it’s fabulously fun! https://treehouses.com

After the city approved the building and we got the necessary permits, we hired an arborist to come out and ensure the safety of the tree. This man threw a line up and climbed that fir to the very top. His job was to ensure that both the tree and the house would be safe. Later, he told me that he spoke to the tree’s essence to ask for its permission. Fortunately, the tree approved.

The arborist would visit regularly to ensure that the health of the tree was maintained. Side Note: all of Michael’s treehouse designs allow for the growth of the tree in both width and in height. Michael also designed and patented Garnier Limbs used to hold the base of the treehouse in place. These spikes do not harm the tree. The tree produces pitch to heal the puncture, this acts as a glue and ensures the stability of the house.

Over a span of three months, the stars of the show Ka’V and B’fer and their “guys”, Michael, Jason, and Javier would come together and work on the house. Scott and our sons, Eric and Ryan, plus Tom’s sons Julien and Oliver worked on the building project too.

The production company hired me as their onsite production assistant. I fed and kept the crew hydrated. I had a blast! We grew very close with the crew, and still keep in touch. The producer, Jennifer Jordan became a good friend.

The show created a storyline around Michael wanting to build a treehouse for his brother. The staged drama had Michael jumping onto a catamaran boat to track down Tom and Scott who were sailing Lasers out on the river. In the middle of the river, he finds them and surprises them with his offer to build a treehouse. A camera crew sailed close behind and on the boat with Michael.

From there the story evolved into a Big Foot sighting. This was adorable! Treehouse Guy Jason, dressed in a Big Foot costume. In one scene, he dressed Big Foot in board shorts, a sun hat, and sunglasses and went out on the Big Cove standing on a paddle board. One of the cameramen used a drone to get close shots of Big Foot. The drone hit a gust of wind and sunk right in front of Jason. From the shoreline, we watched Jason strip off the furry costume and dive into the water to retrieve the equipment.

Another Big Foot shot had Jason in costume repelling down the tree, just outside the window as B’fer and Ka’V, inside, were debating as to whether Big Foot even existed.

When it came time to choose furniture and decorate the inside of the house, the show’s director sent their interior designer to interview me.

“Cinda, how do you want the treehouse decorated,” the interior designer asked. “I’d like to honor the Native ancestors of the land,” I said.

“I’d like to see Pendleton blankets, throws and decorative pillows and to use those colors and patterns to set the tone and style.” I didn’t know how this suggestion of mine would influence the following events….

When it came time for the reveal, the producer lined our family up along the walkway. Tom, Scott, me, Eric, and Ryan entered the house in this order. The camera crew were set up inside ready to record our reaction. Spoiler Alert: I was the only one who had not seen the interior. All the other family members had helped to build the treehouse, so they were fully aware of what it looked like inside and out.

Tom led the way as we approached the finished treehouse. The interior lights made the entire house glow as if it were a sacred space beckoning us into its sanctuary. Truly, it was awe inspiring and breath taking. I was rendered speechless.

When we entered, everyone did the obligatory ooh’s and aah’s and gave all the right positive reactive noises that the camera crew tried hard to capture.

But then…bam! A significant and unexpected gift presented itself.

As I walked around the tree trunk to the back of the octagon shaped house. There, set up with two chairs, stood a table covered in pennies.

Pennies!

The entire tabletop was made of pennies.

I squealed in surprise. All the cameras turned and focused on me. I could hear them zooming in. The producer asked me to explain my reaction. So, I did. I shared the entire penny story. Note: none of this made it in the show.

When we were done. The producer called out, “That’s a wrap!”

We filed out of the treehouse, and then everyone went to the Riverhouse to celebrate.

On my way into town to pick up pizzas and beer, I called the interior decorator and asked him about the table.

“Colton, we just wrapped up the reveal! The house is beautiful. Thank you. But I have a very important question to ask you?” My mind was still reeling in surprise from finding the penny table.

“Sure, ask away,” he said. I could hear the worry in his voice. “Are you happy with it?”

“Tell me about the penny table!” I asked.

“The penny table…really?” he awkwardly laughed. “That’s hysterical that you’re asking about the table. There was a big fuss around that thing.”

“A big fuss?” I asked. “What do you mean?”

I wanted to ask him; how did he know? How could he possibly have known about the importance of pennies to this land? What kind of magic did he tap into?

“Well, there’s a story….,” he started. “After our conversation, when you said you wanted to honor the Native American ancestors, I can’t explain it, but I knew I had to make another trip to that antique store at the entrance to Stevenson.”

He paused to make sure I knew which store he was referring to.

“When I walked in, I immediately saw that table and knew that that was why I came,” he continued. “I had to have it. The store owner though disagreed. She felt the penny table was ugly and tried to convince me to buy a different one, one that would look better on camera. My partner even agreed with her and tried to sway me away from it.”

“Ugly? That table is extraordinary!” I chimed in.

“I know!” he agreed. “I wouldn’t be budged no matter what they said to persuade me otherwise. Every ounce of me knew that I needed that table. I can’t explain it. Why of all the things we placed in your treehouse is the penny table the one you’re asking about?”

“You won’t believe this when I tell you!” So…. I told him….

I told him the penny story…about the magic of the pennies on the property. I told him how the Native spirits seem to play games with us and the guests by hiding pennies for us to find. I told him that in the beginning, we delivered pennies to all the houses except the treehouse.

“Usually, we find single pennies in random places” I tell him. “This time, though, it wasn’t just a single penny, but an entire table of pennies! Pennies! It’s a fantastic coincidence. And it’s a fabulous validation for me since I specifically told you I wanted to honor the Native ancestors of the land. It’s as if they were guiding you to the table!”

“Cinda, I’m totally freaking out. I have goose bumps all over my arms!” he exclaimed. “I believe in this stuff. But this is crazy! This explains why I had to have it. Why I went against the store’s owner and my partner’s opinions. I was adamant. So adamant that the owner told me that if I took it, she didn’t want it back.”

“Well, of all the stuff you put into the treehouse, the penny table is what we want to keep!” I confirmed.

“Cinda, it’s rare that we get to talk to the client after a reveal and hear what they thought of our interior work. This was the best project ever! Thank you for telling me your penny story!”

You can watch the episode online. Season 3, Episode 6. Titled: Bigfoot Hideout in Washington State. Filmed: August 10, 2017. It is currently streaming on Apple TV.

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER TWELVE: IN CONCLUSION

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Tue, 21 May 2024 22:41:54 GMT

Chapter Twelve: In Conclusion

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

I don’t know how this works…with spirits…. My Native American friend, who so kindly and professionally cleansed and blessed the land, says she escorted the spirits off the property. She witnessed them walk out to the center of the Columbia River and disappear downstream. Yet, she was still able to communicate with them even after they’d gone. So, perhaps they come and go—from where to here, I don’t know, but I still feel their presence. Others do too. Some say they can see them. This is their land after all, so they are always welcome.

The Native spirits are kind, thoughtful, and appreciative. They continue to play the penny game with us and our guests. It seems that once guests know about the game, pennies magically appear for them too. So, be on the lookout now that you’re aware. Tell us about your experiences with the Native spirits and spirit pennies.

I love sharing this “ghost story that isn't scary” with the children that visit. After they’ve heard it, they run back to their RV or house and get pennies from their parents. Then they take their coins and find a special place for them. They will sit there staring at their penny, hoping to see a ghost pick it up. I don’t think it works when you’re watching. When the kids get bored and leave, and later come back, the penny is gone. EVERY TIME.

So, remember, when you find a penny, you have THREE options. Each option is okay.

Option ONE: pick the penny up, it is a gift to you from the Native spirits. Say thank you, put it in your back pocket, and know they have your back.

Option TWO: pick the penny up and hide it somewhere else. This continues the game. You can hide it anywhere.

Option THREE: leave the penny where it is for someone else to find.

Of course, feel free to add your own pennies to the mix. Hide them well. Then visit them later to see if they are still there.

Since the purchase of the property in 2006 through today, we diligently work to upgrade, update, and maintain our houses and property. After we had the land cleansed and blessed, our guests consistently expressed awe and reverence for the beauty of Skamania Coves. Many have returned again and again. They feel like family now. Some have experienced the healing power of the land. We hear regular comments on how calm, grounded, held, safe, and welcome they feel here.

My friend’s final blessing for the land still holds true.

We declare this property cleansed and restored.

The sacredness of this land brought back to its original essence.

Only those whose energy is in alignment with this essence will be welcome.

They will feel the land’s blessing and receive its healing.

Those whose energy is not in alignment, will not be allowed in.

They will feel the need to leave or not make the visit.

As stewards and visitors of this land:

we vow to honor the heart of this space,

to protect the essence of her energy,

to remember those who have lived here before,

and to continue with the vision to maintain its sacredness.

And so, it is.

Therefore, if you are a guest at Skamania Coves, you are meant to be here. Your essence, your energy is in alignment with this land. We are honored you’ve come. Thank you.

We recommend that while you’re visiting, walk down to the river, visit each of the coves. As you walk, give your worries and your ailments to the land. Many have been blessed with healing. [If you’re curious or interested in some healing techniques and rituals, I’ve listed a few in the next chapter.]

STORY CONTINUES >>>>> CHAPTER THIRTEEN: RITUALS

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves

Mon, 20 May 2024 22:50:03 GMT

Chapter Thirteen: Rituals

Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves: a s experienced by Cinda Stevens Lonsway ~ Steward of Skamania Coves written February 14, 2024.

After my Native American friend completed her cleansing of the land, she returned a few times throughout the years. I’ve also had other women visit who are healers, shamans, and mystics. They have offered some simple yet powerful healing techniques and rituals to do while you are here:

Ritual ONE: As you walk the property, walk with intention. With each step, release your worries, frustrations, anxiety, fear into the land through your feet. Breathe in, step, release. Breathe in, step, release. Do this until you feel the freedom and grace this land has to offer you.

Ritual TWO: There are three coves; the first one you come to, which is long and narrow, the middle one which is small and private, and the big cove. Wind is common along the gorge and depending on the direction it is blowing, go to the water’s edge with the wind blowing directly into your face. Breathe in. Then blow out against the wind. Breathe in the fresh clean air, then blow against it. As you blow, release all the tension, fear, anxiety. Sometimes, when the wind is really howling, howl along with it. Scream, if it helps you release your concerns, giving it to the water and air.

Ritual Three: Look for signs. Not just pennies. Signs come in the form of feathers, heart shaped rocks and shells. There are sightings of wildlife. Guests have seen birds—eagles, seagulls, osprey, robins, hummingbirds, herons, buzzards, ducks of multiple breeds, geese, etc. There are river otters, beavers, bobcats, cougars, bears, opossum, raccoon, skunk, mice, lizards, snakes…. Look up the meaning online and see if there is significance for you.

Ritual Four: Say thank you. Thank you to the land, the spirits, the animals, and the hard-working people who have kept this property so pristine and beautiful for your enjoyment.

We are grateful you found Skamania Coves.

We invite you to feel the heart and soul and spirit of this land.

If you are here, it is because you are meant to be.

We hope you will visit again and bless this land with your presence.

Thank you,

Cinda and Scott and Janet

Enchanting and Enchanted Overlook

Sun, 19 May 2024 00:58:49 GMT

Our stay was enchanting...

Our stay was enchanting and also enchanted (see the end). The views, the house, and

the grounds are beautiful, peaceful and extremely well kept. We will go back many times

- it’s literally our favorite place now. We had the most unexpected surprise when we met

Scott and Cinda and realized that we grew up in the same town and our lives are

intertwined with siblings and acquaintances. The homes are beautiful. We stayed at

Overlook and got to view the Treehouse and River House. We will stay in both in the

future. The history and back story are fascinating. Please see their web page and read

the blog. I think it would be a mistake to stay here without understanding the history.

Scott and Cinda are amazing hosts, you simply won’t find better people. As we were

checking out, shockingly and delightfully, we found a single penny on the living room

floor. Lastly, if you’re worried about train noises in this peaceful and enchanted

wonderland, you just don’t get it :)

Private note from James

It was incredible meeting both of you!! We are home now and can’t stop talking about

the weekend and how much it means to our lives. We loved the place before we knew it

was you guys, and before we knew the history. Cinda, you are a GREAT writer and

storyteller. Go Mrs. Cracraft!! Still astounded by the amount and quality of work you

have done on the property. You saved it and that means so much to us. We can’t wait to

return and share with our kids and grandkids! We will be in touch to reserve for our

honeymoon next Summer. Lastly, as we were leaving, just me and Staci were left, and

Staci shouted “NO WAY!”, I turned around and she was looking down at a single penny

on the floor.

A Magical Place!

Mon, 06 May 2024 01:46:54 GMT

Skamania Coves is a magical place.

We discovered Skamania coves 10 years ago. We have returned every year since then.

I have been frequenting the Columbia River Gorge over the past 37 years to windsurf.

Skamania coves is the perfect place for us. The staff is amazing and very

accommodating. They do everything possible to make our stay spectacular. Cinda,

Scott, and Janet are very down-to-earth and easy to communicate with. They always

greet us with a warm smile and make us feel comfortable.

The vacation homes are very tastefully done, and everything functions perfectly. Each

home has its own character and spectacular woodwork with decks, sitting areas,

barbecue grills, and beautiful views.

The setting is like a fairytale and very well maintained. The rock formations that reach

out into the Columbia create a Mystikal setting.

We have enjoyed many sunrises, sunsets, rainbows, sun, wind, and rain (you can’t

have rainbows without rain). The weather is spectacular and always changing.

The fishing is amazing. I have enjoyed catching sturgeon and bass. We really enjoyed

the private beach and floating dock. Skamania Coves is one of the best swimming holes

in the Columbia River Gorge.

Windsurfing in the Gorge is one of the best in the world for that sport. Skamania Coves

is in a perfect location for us with great access to windsurfing and many hiking trails and

waterfalls. The little town of Stevenson, Washington is very quaint and has a nice

character, not to mention White Salmon and Hood River too with all the amenities

anybody could wish for.

Access to Portland and the Portland International Airport is very convenient. We truly

look forward to and enjoy our vacations at Skamania Coves. We plan on returning every

year for the foreseeable future. Thank you for creating an amazing setting for us to

enjoy.

Eric Christensen

Salt Lake City Utah

Summers in the Gorge

Sun, 05 May 2024 20:40:17 GMT

The view from each cove is STELLAR!

Each year my wife (Lisa) and I spend at least a few of our summer months in the Columbia River Gorge. We have been doing this for over 25 years.

The Gorge is a haven for windsurfing, something we have been doing all our lives.

And it's all been done in our motorhome, allowing us to travel to the various sailing spots and still have the comforts of home.

Camping in the Gorge has always been quite rustic for us, until we discovered Skamania Coves. Cinda and Scott Lonsway purchased this park in (insert year) and it has changed our way of life.

So let me start here:
* The RV spots AND the cabins have stunning views of the river (something we never had at any other campground).
* There are 3 separate coves for lounging, barbecues, swimming (or any other water activity). There's even a launching ramp for small boats. The view from each cove is STELLAR"!
* The grounds are immaculate. Lawns are carefully groomed, and the rest of the landscaping is kept perfect. (Scott himself does most of the work!!)
* The resort manager (Janet) is always on site and maintains a watchful eye on the premises. She's also a lovely person and we enjoy her company immensely!!

Additionally, Scott and Cinda themselves add an affable charm to the experience, always available for friendly conversation. Scott has a big sailing history, which is a great common interest to my wife and I. He and his business partner frequently race on the Gorge and have even gone into the TransPac Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Hawaii several times. (Don't forget to ask him about it when you see him).

All in all, Scott, Cinda, and Janet have made this our "bit of heaven" for many summers now. They have taken us into their family and made it home.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit one of the most idyllic places in the Northwest, don't pass it up.

IT'S AMAZING!!

Ben Young, Ph.D.
Computer & Information Systems
Health Information Management
Central Oregon Community College

My Cup Is Overflowing

Fri, 03 May 2024 02:12:39 GMT

The River House and The Ritz. This is special.

Where does one start when describing a vacation spot that is so special that you literally crave your next return like you had a slice of grandma’s pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, and you want more. People typically pull off the highway into The Resort at Skamania Coves either needing a break from a busy life and they have sought out the serenity that those 33 acres supply or they are looking for their next adventure within the expansive confines of The Columbia River Gorge which is plentiful. Either way, at the break of dawn and the end of each day, there is some kind of cup filling magic that comes over you and at the end of your stay, you leave renewed and wanting more.

I have woken up in each of the Bluff House, High House, Overlook House and River House. Everyone offers something slightly different but each share that special feeling in their own unique way.

The Bluff house, the largest home, sits highest on the property and has a hot tub with stunning views of the Columbia River. It has modern amenities and is very spacious. This is where I stay when we have a larger party. Convenient to the Bluff House are the two condos which are lovely overflow options for larger group. I would not rule out the condos as a 1st option either, they are just as lovely as the rest. They have the same modern amenities; they are just smaller yet still with 2 bedrooms each.

The High House was the first house I stayed in. It It sits below the Bluff house and next to the Overlook House but it is perched on a hill surrounded by trees enough that you feel completely private. This house is similar in design to the Bluff House and is a wonderful, serene place to stay.

The Overlook House, it’s like a visit with grandma and screams lets have some lengthy, deep conversations. This home has many original features including an incredible carved wood ceiling. The larger of the two bedrooms had the most incredible views of the Gorge and to be lucky enough to wake up to that… you’ll never forget it. This house has a huge deck and is the perfect place to stargaze at night and I have done that. It was incredible.

The Treehouse. I have not stayed in it, but I have been in it and it’s a construction marvel. I mean that huge trunk right there in the middle of it, in the forest, it’s nature on nature. It’s impressive.

There are several RV spaces with incredible views. These are quite popular with regulars who repeatedly visit during the summer or, so I am told.

The River House and The Ritz. This is special. This is my go-to, soul searching, cup filling, home away from home. This house is a cozy cottage with a large bedroom, 1 bathroom and an incredibly comfortable pull-out sofa option for additional sleeping that is next to its original stone fireplace in-front of a large picture window overlooking the river. It has a front porch that I am sure every guest has had their morning coffee on while they watch the water glisten and the eagles fly. This is the only house that has its own beach. We have brought our kayaks with us when we stay here and enjoy the calm waters that most morning offer. In the afternoon, the water sparkles and there’s almost this little diamond dance on the water as it ebbs and flows. It’s fascinating to watch and it’s like the dinner bell ringing at the beginning of a night of shared thoughts and long talks with family and friends. This is the house to go deep into conversation in. You can feel the Native American history of the land here and it will speak to your soul. Fact.

The Ritz, is the little one room garden shed conversion with its private porch and outdoor shower that sits next to the main house. This will forever be my favorite cup filling spot. So much so I have the coordinate tattooed on my arm. It’s that special. It is only available to rent when renting the River House. Depending on the moon phase, I can lay in bed and watch the moon travel across the sky. I can crank open the casement windows and listen to the water below. It’s quiet, it’s small & it’s womb like. It is so much more than overflow lodging for the River House, to me it’s the main attraction. A place you go to enjoy the silence and just dream.

The lawn that is shared by these two places has the most expansive view of the Columbia River Gorge. I don’t quite know how to describe it. It’s mesmerizing. It calls you to pull up a chair and visually dive in. It’s like spying on God. Up above, looking down at a view that rivals any National Park and I live next to Glacier National Park where the views, although larger, are equally spectacular.

I cannot say enough about this special place on Earth. We have a finite number of years in life to choose our vacation spots. Do yourself a favor and book a stay here. Enjoy Hood River, hike Dog Mountain, tour the “Fruit Loop”, wine taste, cruise the Sternwheeler, walk part of the Pacific Crest Trail, visit the numerous waterfalls in The Gorge and then unwind at the Resort at Skamania Coves and let the surroundings just cleanse your soul, because it will. You’ll leave a better person than you arrived.

Mair Blatt

Whitefish, Montana

Trail Magic

Fri, 03 May 2024 02:08:16 GMT

We finished the trail, all 2,655 miles Nov 9th!

Dear Scott and Janet

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are a core memory and honestly one of the coolest and most generous experiences of not only our trip but life. We can’t thank you enough for the hospitality. We look forward to getting out on the water soon!

Happy Holidays from the Hoffman’s,

2023. Was the year of adventure and love for our family. In the winter, we sold our home in Highlands Ranch, which allowed us to continue our nomadic travels through the Southwest. In the spring, we lost our beloved boxer dog, Rocky. It was then we decided that time is our greatest gift, making the most of it became our priority. That catalyst solidified our plans to hike not only the 273 miles of the Long Trail in Vermont, but also the 2,655.2 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail through the length of Washington, Oregon and California. We visited Bryce, Zion, Mojave, Joshua Tree. Cabrillo, Grand Canyon, Oregon Pipes, Saguaros and Petrified Forest National Parks.

The summer kicked off with opening up Sandy Pond. We ventured up to Vermont to (including Gila) backpack the oldest thru-trail to the US. The Long Trail. It took us 21 days, which was excellent preparation for the main event, the PCT. We had one week of fun and family at Sandy Pond, then flew to Seattle, WA. We started southbound from Canada on July 9th. We spent the major of our summer in Washington and Oregon where we climbed spectacular mountains, swam in glacial lakes, ate lots of huckleberries, and connected with new/old friends. We hiked through the Cascades, Mount Rainier, and Crater Lake National Parks.

The fall was spent trekking through California. We hiked the incredible Lassen Volcanoes, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks. The Sierras was our favorite due to the big views, ruggedness, and larger mountain passes. We weaved our way through the desert. Well, looking out for rattlesnakes and poisonous poodle-dog bush. We completed our continuous footpath thru-hike of the PCT at the Mexican border on November 9th.

Colleen's dad and John's mom hiked the last mile of the PCT with us. We celebrated John's incredible accomplishment of completing the backpacking Triple Crown (AT ‘16, CDT ’18, and PCT ’23). He is one of only a few with that claim to fame.

We rounded out the year by accepting new jobs and will be moving back out West.

We want to THANK YOU all for the tremendous support (in taking care of our pup, sending resupply packages, providing rides, sending care packages, trail magic, and FaceTime calls) and outpouring of well wishes. It meant the world to us during our journey. Now we send our love and well wishes to our dearest friends and family for this year to come. May it be filled with the people, places, and adventures you love.

Happy Holidays and Love,

Long John (John), Three Socks (Colleen) and PigPen (Gila)

We finished the trail, all 2,655 miles Nov 9 ^th !

Thanks for helping us get there with a great story!

THREESOX (Colleen) & LONG JOHN #soboordie

Avalon Mists

Fri, 03 May 2024 01:58:47 GMT

Exactly the break and place we needed...

Hi,

This was exactly the break and place we needed to refresh after a challenging few years, and honestly, from the wider world.

This corner of the planet is calm and almost perfectly designed to bring us back to center. From the serine Shack [Garden Shed], its outdoor moonlit showers, to the ambient trains, mixed with the gentle river waves lapping the shore. Everything conspires to create a beautiful quietness.

A.A.

“Storms may come and
stars may fall from
the heavens.
But at night I dream
of Avalon, and in day
I walk in beauty.”

Thanks!

Healing Land

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 13:19:44 GMT

"So much glory in this place, such vastness, as the ancient stones, reflecting the Creators face join the song of presence."

Hi Cinda,

My wife Lois and I stayed at the Skamania Coves Resort last September, we were in space three of the RV park. We loved our time there; Skamania Coves is a treasure. But the highlight of our stay was meeting you and learning about the history of the land you and your husband’s vision and restoration of the property. I don’t know if you remember, but Lois and I were walking the path to the water with her sister and her husband and daughter. We met you and Janet at the railroad track, and I began to ask you questions about the treehouse. Then you began to share your journey of reclaiming the land and restoring its honor. You told us of the disarray the campground was in and how in the process of restoring things you asked a native woman to help in the healing. How she spoke with the native caretaker spirit of the land and his asking if she trusted you. You told us of the offering found under one of the buildings you renovated, of the pennies found on the property and so much more. Personally, what you shared affected me on so many levels. It was a deep encounter. You also spoke to Lois, who is undergoing cancer treatments, that the land brings healing.

Thank you so much for the gracious gift you gave us.

After our meeting I wrote this poem of your, and the lands, story. I hope it blesses you in the way Lois and I were blessed.

Mark Wooldridge

Skamania (Swift Waters)
“What a treasure”, we said,
but even as we spoke an unease tempered our delight.”
So much glory in this place, such vastness, as the ancient stones, reflecting the Creators
face join the song of presence.
But a recent heaviness muted their mirth, sorrow like a veil blurred our sight.
This glorious land, home to Chinook, eagle and salmon,
now reeling under the weight of violence of the blind sons of God.
But an offering cried from the ground, calling like Abel’s blood for righteousness.
Their voice troubling our spirit, “Hear us! Hear us”!
And you heard; as She Who Watches sent a seer
Coming in time to cleanse, to heal, to set the soul of the Fisher-Chief free.
Trust broke the curse, dried the tears, freed the spirit,
and as a husband to his wife returned the blessing to the land.
Now this long held inheritance would be passed to the worthy.
True, open-hearted ones, whose eyes pierce the mists,
and souls live with the land.
Fearlessly embracing the legacy of the spirits of the Great South Wind
in partnership with the ancients, seen and unseen.
And the healed land, once again heals.