Honeymoon – day 5&6 Coram Ranch

Day 5 of the honeymoon found us once again in the car, this time heading north about 3.5 hours to Lake Shasta, to Coram Ranch. This was pretty much a last-minute plan, brought on my the urging of my dear friend (and amazing hair stylist) Christi. Christi grew up at Coram Ranch, and her sister, Debbie, and her family still own & operate this AMAZING piece of property in northern California.

Coram Ranch is located at the head of the Sacramento River, where Mt Shasta towers over Shasta Lake, which gently allows water to “trickle” from the Shasta Dam, one of the larges AND widest dams in the United States. And yes, there were a LOT of dam jokes made this day (and the next). A lot.

Dan and I really had no idea what to expect. I had seen a few pictures on facebook, but I wasn’t fully prepared for what I saw. Our first glimpse of heaven happened as we started driving north….it was like the mountains just kept creeping closer and closer to us – as they grew – so did our excitement! Once we passed through Redding (after a side trip to InNOut burger and a really scary grocery store), we drove up to the Shasta Dam. Just before we got there, we saw this white peak as we rounded a corner….Mt. Shasta. As we made that last turn we KNEW we were in for a good trip.

To get to Coram Ranch you have to cross over the dam (through guards and barricades, and ONLY 25 mph and NO STOPPING). That was VERY hard to NOT stop and just view – but we knew we could walk across the dam the next day, and we were also eager to see the ranch.

After a few winding dirt roads and rustic wooden signs pointing our way, we drove up to this little haven on the river. Coram Ranch is built at the site of an old mining town, and has lovely cabins & grounds that welcome hundreds every year for retreats, family reunions, and group outings. There were bikes to ride….game rooms….a pool, and the most amazing views every direction.

We were met by Debbie, who is the sweetest spunkiest person I’ve met in a long time. She showed us all over the ranch, which was empty except for us (it’s the off-season), and then brought us up to our lovely cozy little home for the next two days. She even picked up a six-pack of beer for some guy named The Beer Truck. 🙂 Too sweet!!!

After such a long ride, it was great to be back on our feet and wandering around. For two photographers and one who loves nature photography, this was certainly a great place to visit! We wandered until the sun went down, then back to our cabin for a cozy dinner and movies (provided by the ranch).

I know most of my readers are Michiganders, but seriously, take the time to check this place out on facebook and give them a “like,” and consider how you might be able to enjoy this lovely place yourself (my runner/cyclist/hiker/adventurer friends will LOVE this place!).

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