Holden: Drive On

After arriving at the Chelan visitors centre and being informed that he missed the only ferry for the day, Andrew sped up stream to Fields Point Landing, the only other stop he could board the ferry at. The red rocket truly lived up to it's name and managed to get Andrew there just in time, though not quite enough time to get out the money required for a return ticket. Andrew knew that problem would be easily resolved as he was convinced that by the end of two weeks literally hundreds of people fed up with his stench would be throwing cash at him.


So he jumped on the boat to Holden village and within a few hours was docked at Lucerne and taking a bus up the mountains in to the village. This village is more remote than even the fanciest pay TV controller. It has no outside road access, no phone reception, and an internet connection slower than a high schooler "taking a toilet break". Adding to it's wilderness charm is the fact that it's set in the prettiest mountains imaginable.


Even the building they had services in was beautiful. But not as beautiful as the people Andrew met. One being another great Chiles that endured many trials and hiked with him for miles, who's now added to the piles of files containing great people Andrew's had the privelledge of meeting. It was quite a thrill for him to meet a young man named Will.


After a few days of work Andrew wrote in complaining of RSI (Really Slack Infection) and got some time off to go hiking with lead cook, Will, who misplaced the insect repellent causing an unthinkable number of mosquito casualties. Speaking of casualties none were caused by the above, but...


Many had gone before them and lost their lives on this stretch of snow.


But once again, any danger they faced was far outweighed by the many beautiful rewards.


Thinking about all that death gave Andrew a new outlook on life.


Not satisfied with just thinking about death, on the way back Andrew suggested walking on this ice. Maturity prevailed, and the boys continued their walk.


On the way back Andrew stopped to read. "Reading's cool!" he joked. Will retaliated "I wouldn't WARNTER-FALL" he said, as he played a mini trick (some call a trickle) on Andrew who dripped over. Presumably this was to teach him a lesson for making terrible jokes. Andrew wondered if that outburst was really set off by something deeper. 'Maybe it's my unwashed hands or maybe my choice of kitchen music' he thought, 'then again maybe my jokes are really that bad.'


A week or so later both Andrew and Will took off with two others in search of some elusive phone reception.


This involved a 5am wake up and some foward planning. They had to be up Mt Fernow by 2:30 for Chris' phone interview.


Up they hiked. Up, Up, Up


But not as high as what they next saw. Overhead the boys spotted what they believe was Air force 1 (the presidents private plane) closely guarded by a jet. They all took turns shouting suggestions about how the U.S should be governed...


That is, until Andrew saw a rocket headed straight for them. "Here it comes" Andrew cried.


Scott paid no attention and continued to drink his water. The rocket hit him and gave him a hairy face and made him look strangely similar to Andrews acquired brother Glenn Foster.


In spite of that unfortunate event the boys pressed on. Someone in a different direction.


Someone went in a different direction. Thinking he could climb over a tiny ridge and walk to where the others were heading Andrew wandered off. Will followed, probably more out of concern than that he actually thought Andrew could have possibly chosen a good path. Andrew assured Will things would get easier.


This 'little ridge' got bigger and bigger and steeper and steeper. Eventually Andrew stepped on some loose rocks and sent down a landslide that narrowly missed Will. That was the angriest he saw Will, who then climbed up next to him and suggested a new plan. Follow the leader!

Unable to head back down where they came up, Will and Andrew spent an hour climbing sideways to where the others were. The only casualty was the loss of a hiking pole.


The group was reformed and were soon ready to make up for lost time but when another poor path was chosen the remaining majority of the ascent was spent climbing up rocks that were loose, steep and dangerous. Without ropes and without a clue Andrew was convinced at least one person would be carried away in a helicopter and he was nearly right as Scott sent down a big rock at Will and Chris who ducked out of the way. The climbing got harder and for some panic set in. The interview suddenly took a back seat and the guys became far more worried about was getting out of this mess safely.


The climbing eventually turned back into a more manageable scramble and the group finally completed their quest. Chris found his reception with literally a minute or two to spare and took his high altitude phone interview. (This was the peak he took his interview on, look closely and you can see him) Short of breath from both the altitude gain and the hike Chris still managed to cough up a few good words because the next day he was given the job.


The interview was not the only breathtaking view. While Chris was on the phone the other three were keeping themselves busy drinking, eating and looking at majestic scenery like this. Not even Wills photography skills and million-megapixel camera could capture it all.


Soon after Chris got done it was time to head back down. Going down was much easier, and much less scary than Andrew anticipated. Some of the guys glissaded down the snow (gliding without ski's)


While others who weren't so coordinated slid down on their backsides. In fact, some spent so much time on their backsides that their rumps turned numb enough not to feel the many cuts inflicted upon them. The discovery of cuts came later that night as the shorts were removed to find the usual white insides had magically turned red.

Some glissading attempts can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3fasP-yhos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_DOYzFYHk


A bleeding rump and bleeding elbows weren't enough to stop Andrew going on another hike. This time to Holden lake. On the way there were some pretty clouds that looked like sheep.


"How cool are they?" Andrew asked


"Pretty cool," said the friendly marmot who Andrew offended by mistaking for a beaver.


There was no mistaking this animal which Andrew had been longing to see ever since he took off on this adventure. He was led to it with less than an hour left at Holden Village.


It was a cute little bear cub. "His mother was nowhere to be seen, so it was obviously safe to take a video" Andrew reasoned. The more sensible bystanders disagreed but at least hung around as bait while Andrew got some footage.


Then it was time for Andrew to say goodbye to all the great people he had met at Holden Village. Here are some pictures of the people he met. The camera got switched to Sepia while Andrew remained on stupid mode.


Annie got rained on.


Jen died a horrible death, choking on her own cheeky tongue.


Scott got caught pinching a loaf (if you dont know what that means don't worry)


And Joy, clearly beaten by the 'ball of the century' walked for a duck. (Went 'out' scoring O runs)


Now desperate to get rid of him, some girls dragged a log over and pleaded with Andrew to get on and drift back to civilization. The disappointed girls soon realised Andrew was too uncoordinated to hop on and wouldn't you know it, Andrew somehow did end up with enough money for a ticket back to Chelan

Andrew then waved goodbye and boarded the 'Lady of the Lake' to begin the next chapter of this adventure.



After leaving Holden, Andrew discovered a program that can make panoramas. Here are some of the earlier pictures he took. If you can't see them very well CLICK TO ENLARGE because they are amazing.

The above was of Mt St Helens



This is the Oregon coast


And this is Crater Lake.


Andrew also spotted a lot of animals along the way and discovered putting films on youtube wasn't as hard as he thought so here are some of the videos of the Weird and Wonderful Wildlife he came into contact with.


Bear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reg24mKVf64
Baby Bear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Miq1sTXfXno
Deer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmKqq6Ps1uY
Marmot http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr6CcJ8GM2k
Bison http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgiX6Jm3O8k
Kitchen staff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=de7w5-OxxP4


Time to drive on...