Entrance to Shepp Ranch from the airstrip . . . Gates to keep stock in or out ....
Next thing I
know, we were leaping up the rapids of the Salmon River in a jetboat like the
river's namesake itself—one of only three ways to get to this lovely place (the
other two being to hike in or take a small plane ride and land at the ranch's
airstrip.
It's hard to put into words what Shepp Ranch is like because there are so few places left in the world that are so unvarnished and welcoming. Walking up the broad green lawn at the entrance of the ranch, I searched my memory for the last time I felt the immediate sense of place that Shepp Ranch evokes. When I saw the cherry tree with its sweet hanging fruit at the end of the lawn, I knew when it was — my grandma had a cherry tree like that in her back yard when I was a kid. Over the next few days, I would come to find that time at Shepp Ranch passed leisurely and easy — like it did when I visited grandma — and like I hadn't experienced in some 40 years.
It's hard to put into words what Shepp Ranch is like because there are so few places left in the world that are so unvarnished and welcoming. Walking up the broad green lawn at the entrance of the ranch, I searched my memory for the last time I felt the immediate sense of place that Shepp Ranch evokes. When I saw the cherry tree with its sweet hanging fruit at the end of the lawn, I knew when it was — my grandma had a cherry tree like that in her back yard when I was a kid. Over the next few days, I would come to find that time at Shepp Ranch passed leisurely and easy — like it did when I visited grandma — and like I hadn't experienced in some 40 years.
The orchard looking out towards the river . . . .
Lynn and
Mike have managed Shepp Ranch for more than 30 years and, in my opinion, they
make the place the unique experience it is. They both work harder than they should
to make sure their guests have everything they need without asking and enjoy
the many treasures of the ranch and the river. Lynn gives "farm to
table" a new meaning with delicious cooking that includes thick smoked
bacon, vegetables from the garden, eggs from the chickens right outside, fresh
picked raspberries, daily baked bread and home-churned butter. Mike grills
dinner like a master chef and tends to the mules and horses and more than a day's
worth of other ranch chores — but he is never too busy to take you on a jetboat
ride or show you the best fishing holes.
Mike and Lynn
Mike and Mark with a big rainbow trout . . . .
The two guys
named Mark had 4 great days that seemed like 4 weeks at Shepp Ranch. We caught
an abundance of beautiful trout, rode mules into the wilderness, explored the
river, saw a multitude of stars at night, enjoyed an evening bonfire on the
beach with inspiring violin music by Lorrie and relaxed and laughed around the
dinner table with new found friends.
Lodge dining room and view of kitchen . . .. .
If you
haven't been to Shepp Ranch, find your way there. You'll never forget it. If
you've visited, then you know what I'm talking about. Either way, I hope
to see you on my next visit! — Mark
Smith
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