Enjoying the Local Sites ~Part 1~
What do I Consider Local?
My wandering spirit considers anything within a day’s drive/ride as local.
Is there a world outside of work and motorcycling?
Work was a big part of my life and when I retired I was hoping to fill the available hours with riding motorcycles 
more. Things don’t always work as planned.
In my mind there really isn’t much outside of work and motorcycling. I feel a little lost without work and I would be totally lost without motorcycling. However, living in the Pacific Northwest means there are several months when riding isn’t appealing due to the cold, snow, ice, and winter conditions.
Autumn of 2019 was a good time, even though the retirement phase hadn’t fully set in. Riding to WI and bringing my sister back felt like I was on vacation and not like I was retired. I wasn’t sure what retired life was supposed to feel like, but this didn’t seem like it.
Since my sister doesn’t ride motorcycles, our travels were in my van instead of on a bike. We opted for motels over camping, exploring places I grew up around. The opportunity to catch up on the many missed years with my sister was thrilling, I didn’t think I’d ever have this chance.
We share an interest in ghost towns, old buildings, and places with haunting stories. After some internet research, we found an abandoned hospital about sixty miles from home, rumored to be haunted. Despite being familiar with the town, I had never searched for the old hospital. It was the perfect time for this adventure, and I was excited to share it with my sister.
St. Ignatius Hospital, Colfax, WA ~9/30/2019~
Before heading to the abandoned hospital, I checked if tours were available, only to find out they had been discontinued due to safety concerns. Considering the age and the extended period of vacancy, it was understandable.
Despite not being able to tour the building, we decided to take a drive to enjoy the surroundings, exploring the exterior and the grounds, which promised to be an enjoyable experience.
Driving from Spokane Valley, WA to Colfax, WA takes us through the scenic Palouse Farmlands—a landscape of gently rolling hills adorned with wheat fields and other crops. While some may find it ho-hum, a closer look reveals the intriguing activities happening in those fields.
In Colfax, locating the old hospital was straightforward. Its eerie appearance added to the adventure as we had fun wandering around the exterior. Despite having looked up its history beforehand, seeing the hospital in person made me wish I knew even more about its past.
From 1893 to 1964, St. Ignatius served as a healthcare provider for the region and later transitioned into an assisted living facility until its closure in 2000. In 2003, the building was officially shut down and abandoned. Recognizing its historical significance, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation added St. Ignatius Hospital to their 2015 Most Endangered Properties list.
In the same year, 2015, the hospital was opened for public tours, fueled by claims of it being haunted. This added a new dimension to its history, attracting those intrigued by both its architectural past and the supernatural tales associated with the site.
In early 2021, the St. Ignatius Hospital found new owners who resumed offering tours of the historic building. Their commitment to preservation has been evident through ongoing restoration efforts. Unfortunately, their dedication faced a setback in the spring of 2023 when five individuals, all of whom were captured on camera and later arrested, burglarized the hospital. Despite this unfortunate incident, the owners continue their work to preserve this remarkable structure. For those interested in exploring the hospital, tours are available through their website.
The presence of ghosts from the patients’ past allegedly roaming the halls of St. Ignatius Hospital adds an extra layer of mystery to its history. The question arises: Are these ghosts ready to welcome tourists, or will they send shivers down their spines?
The Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures” featured an episode claiming proof of ghosts at St. Ignatius Hospital. The show investigates the paranormal, exploring the eerie and supernatural aspects of the historic site. For those interested in the mysterious and haunted, this could be a fascinating link to explore: Ghost Adventures at St. Ignatius Hospital.
A Family Firewood Cutting Party ~10/5/19~
Making up for the lost 55 years of being sisters, my priority was to show her everything and make the most of the present. While we couldn’t do it all at once, the focus was on getting out and enjoying things together, creating new memories in the process.
Every fall, the Cook family comes together to bring in and prepare firewood for my widowed aunt, who lives in the forest of North Idaho. Since my move to “the city,” I haven’t been closely connected with my family, and I’m no longer at the heart of family activities and haven’t been for many years. Despite this, I have been invited to join the annual wood party the last few years.
Our aunt is an incredible woman. In her 90s, she remains independent and is still driving, demonstrating remarkable resilience. Her hands-on work with the Forest Service after becoming a widow around 45 years old adds another layer to her life story.
Since my sister wanted to meet the family that she didn’t know our older brother and I decided the Wood Party would be the perfect occasion for her to connect with everyone.
Coming from a logging family, the Wood Party is a well-organized where everyone has their roles. The men focus on cutting and stacking wood, while the women take charge of preparing food and ensuring everyone is well fed. While this division of labor may seem old-fashioned, it reflects the practicality that shaped such arrangements in the “olden days,” particularly when it comes to physical labor like woodcutting.
I find it difficult to fully convey the remarkable qualities of my cousin Doug — his determination and positive attitude is truly indescribable. Having him as my cousin fills me with great pride. More than a decade ago, he was diagnosed with a disease I can’t spell or pronounce, resulting in paralysis from the chest down. Despite being in a wheelchair, he not only drives a modified SUV but also operates his small excavator around their property, showcasing his resilience and resourcefulness.
During the Wood Party Doug brings his excavator from his place, not far away, to his Mom’s house to kick off the process. He easily pulls himself into the excavator, straps in, and gets to work moving logs. Doug’s self-sufficiency and ability to make things work for him are impressive.
In 2018, Doug received the prestigious “Bull of the Woods” award in the logging community where he lives, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the logging industry.
The Wood Party consists of family members and a few friends from the logging community. The older men, around my age, handle the chainsaws to cut the blocks. Meanwhile, the younger, stronger men compete in splitting the blocks with axes, showcasing their skill and speed. Once the blocks are split, a line is formed, and the split pieces are passed from one person to another until they reach the woodshed. At the woodshed, one of my cousins oversees the process, ensuring each piece is strategically placed to create tight, neat, and well-balanced stacks.
It’s truly remarkable to witness the coordinated efforts and the enjoyment everyone experiences during the Wood Party. The visible display of family love and helpfulness left a strong impression on my sister, showcasing the bonds and camaraderie that make the event special.
As with many family gatherings, food plays a significant role in the Wood Party, and this occasion is no exception. The barbecue is fired up, and the table is filled with a variety of delicious dishes and drinks.
Having skilled cooks in the family meant a delightful variety of amazing dishes to sample. Although trying a bit of everything might have added a few pounds, I made sure to sample several dishes and departed from the gathering thoroughly satisfied.
It was enjoyable seeing everyone and witnessing the process of bringing in wood for the winter. Introducing my sister to all her cousins was a highlight. Most importantly, our aunt was happy to reunite with my sister, especially since they hadn’t seen each other since my sis was three years old.