Healing Land

"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.