On May 16th a memorial was held for Garde Wells who is buried on the Breitenbush property in an area where there are remains of other former community members. Stories of Garde and songs were shared by those who knew him.
The first photo is before the 2020 fire and before the dam across the river was removed. The second photo shows a more natural looking river without the small dam and how the view is changed after so many trees burned in 2020 on Devils Ridge and on the Breitenbush property.
A little downstream from Breitenbush, next to the Breitenbush River is the historic site of a former hot spring business. It is on National Forest land and is used by some people who are willing to clean and fill various pools or tubs themselves.
Bob Miller who lived and worked at Breitenbush in the early years (1982-89) passed away Aug. 13 this year. He was a main force on the Maintenance Team and one of the first massage therapists at Breitenbush. His main past-time was painting and he helped the school children with art instruction and projects.
He wanted some of his ashes to be placed at Breitenbush and so on Oct. 20 we remembered him in the area designated for burials. I include a photo of his painting studio and just one of his many paintings which often had a lot of depth.