The Duncans Return

On February 21, Bob and Bobby Duncan came to Glencanaan for a visit. Bob's wife unfortunately could not make it. The visit was non-stop story-telling for all parties involved.

For several hours we talked about the history of the area, past: distant past, and recent past.

Much of what we had heard about the property from others in the valley was confirmed by Bob: the Duncans came to this area -- what they called the Lake Wenatchee Ranch -- just before the turn of the previous century (likely around 1887); the log cabin was built by Bob's grandfather (Alec), likely shortly after their arrival; they grew hay and chickens and strawberries.

But we learned many new things: They didn't homestead this place, they bought it, meaning that white people settled here before the Duncans, thus it has been habitated by white people for well over 120 years; and they also grew lots of rutabaga (and had a local reputation for them that drew people from some distance). There are even some secrets about this area!

Bob brought some pictures which we scanned. They will come again (hopefully soon) so we can hear more stories and scan even more pictures!

Exciting News!

One of the things that has enamored us to Glencanaan all along is that it is rich in history; we just didn't know much about its history.

A few years back we were driving to Glencanaan and we stopped at the rest stop just west of Cole's Corner. They one of those groups offering free coffee and we got into a conversation with one of the volunteers and she asked where we were from and we explained our dual residencies, including our place just north of there. She asked for a more precise description of where our place was, and after we told her, she said, "Oh, the Duncan place." Unfortunately, we didn't get her name or phone number, nor did we write down the name "Duncan." Ever since then, we have kicked ourselves for not writing this down, and we became even more interested in learning about the history of Glencanaan.

In January we went to a fund raiser for the Wenatchee Valley Museum. It was a wine gala and featured 14 local wineries. The time schedules for its end was approaching and we realized we had not visited one of the wineries, one right in Leavenworth, so we dashed to their table.

We had a nice conversation with the wine-maker, and somehow he mentioned having lived in Indonesia. I asked a few questions about his stay in Indonesia which made it clear to him that I had more than the usual familiarity with Indonesia, so I explained that I had been there many times, most recently just a couple of months ago. He was thrilled and said we must met his father because he was served in the US military and was stationed in Jakarta for a couple of years.

His father, owner of the winery, soon joined us at the table and introductions were made. We talked about Indonesia for a few minutes, then he asked where we lived. We again explained our dual residencies, and when we told him we were near Lake Wenatchee he asked where. "On the White River Road. Do you know it?"

"I do. I used to live up there." Then he went on to talk about Sears Creek.

I asked where he had lived; was it up past Sears Creek? No, he clarified, it was before that.

"Where?" I probed.

"Up past the McComas', there is a meadow on the left.

"That's ours now!" I interrupted.

He look shocked, and I held out my hand and shook his.

We spent some time comparing stories, then pledged to get together sometime soon so he could come see his old home, share stories and share pictures.

When we do, I will be sure to post what we find out here.