HOOD RIVER — This land is a miracle — an eternal source of life that binds us together. For Jeanne Carver, Pacific Northwest ranch wife turned sustainable, all-American retail titan, its health is at the heart of everything she practices. “The land must win,” Carver said, attributing the guiding philosophy to her late husband, Dan. “It’s our responsibility to do everything we can while we’re still here.”

The woolen swimsuit gifted to me came with history, a personal challenge and a lesson in cold water swimming. Could this over a century old ga…