Holland Lake Lodge Once It Is Gone…

As best I remember it, over 40 years ago, me and my cutt’n partner Butch was coming down from Alaska. Turned off in Albany, Oregon headed for the sleepy little cowboy logg’n town called Sisters. Butch had friends there.

Took note of the scenery over the Santiam pass, noted in the distance Mt. Jefferson wilderness and the mountain majesty thereabouts.

Was a few years since Butch was back and all of a sudden was big real estate developments Butch whistled, “What happened?” Last time he saw it--it was a meadow, horses and cows.

As I drove through town dodge’n BMW’s, tricked out Jeeps, want-to-be cowboys, cowgirls, Butch was still in shock as I ran the gauntlet to Hermie’s shake mill. His first words to Herm was “What happened?!”

Be’n a man of few words Mr. Hermiston sez, “Greed and Money!”

Just to remind some folks my family was a resident of Swan Valley for about 30 years. And some of my children worked at the Lodge. Not hav’n been there in many moons sounds like it could use some upgrades. Problem is how much? Be a cry’n shame to lose its history.

So to those who make these decisions just a word to the wise, “Once it’s gone---it’s gone forever.”