Native Spirits & Spirit Pennies of Skamania Coves
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
