On the Brink of Summer
A visit to Stehekin
We’re on the brink of summer, so we took a quick trip to Stehekin to stay at the Stehekin Valley Ranch, the place that inspired the location of The Restless Lake. We got to revisit all the things I love: the Norwegian fjords, the Agnes Gorge hike along with some other nearby trails, the cook hall where the abundant, delicious food happens. You’ll find each of these in The Restless Lake.
The first afternoon we walked to the horse corral, and noticed a lot of commotion going on. When we arrive, look what we saw!
A very happy Norwegian fjord splashing in a mud puddle! It was so funny. He/she was having the best time, while all the other horses looked on in dismay.
The next day, after filling up on an awesome breakfast of potatoes and eggs and biscuits, all prepared by a new chef who came to Stehekin from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, we took off for a day of hiking. We started out by walking to the Agnes Gorge trailhead.
Here’s a photo of my husband hiking toward the gorge, with a small waterfall in the background. That large metal clasp in the foreground is a remnant of the bridge built across the gorge, leftover from gold mining days in the late 19th century.
After our Agnes Gorge hike we stopped for a quick lunch and continued hiking around the many trails in the area. We ended up hiking about thirteen miles. On the journey back to the ranch about 2pm, just a little over a mile away, we spotted this fella looking at us:
The photo’s a bit grainy — taken with an iPhone 11 on zoom. We were between this cinnamon-colored black bear and the river, so we scooted on down the trail and let him/her continue on his/her path to water. My husband took this photo. Whenever we see a bear he whips out his phone to take a photo while I talk loudly (something like Nice bear. We’re leaving, bear!) and slowly creep away.
Another reason we traveled to the wilderness community of Stehekin was to meet the new owners, Jake and Mistaya Johnston. They are the nicest couple with three beautiful boys, 3 months old, 7 and 9. Did I mention that this couple and their kids are among the nicest people you’ll ever meet? They are. Here’s Jake about to load passengers on the Ranch van.
BTW, The Restless Lake is available for sale in the lobby of the main cookhouse at The Lodge. It was a great time at Stehekin Valley Ranch. With no tv or distractions from the real world, I read Ann Patchett’s The Dutch House in two evenings. A very good read.
And speaking of reading, here’s what The Seattle Book Review had to say about The Restless Lake:
“Ms Fink has written a fabulous, emotional tale about a group of people coping with change, each in their own unique ways, as they are faced with old and new challenges during their time on the ranch… Restless Lake is a compelling story that draws readers into the daily lives and worlds of the characters right from the start… Ms. Fink is such a talented storyteller that I can't wait to read more of her work. I'm sure readers will love her ability to move them with her characters' dilemmas and her fantastic prose.”
Reviewed by Susan Miller
If you would like to meet me in person, I’ll be at the Manson Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings starting June 15, 2024. I’ll also be doing to book signings this month. On Saturday, January 22, 2024 at A Book For All Seasons in Leavenworth, Washington, and at the (fabulous) Fielding Hills Winery Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 2-5pm. While your there, sip one of their delicious wine selections in their beautiful Lake Chelan venue.
That’s it for this edition of Notes from the Lake. Thanks for joining me on my adventure to Stehekin!