Where My Heart Calls Home
I’d spent time at Lake Almanor
Today was mine to go explore
I drove down Highway 89
Through small towns does this Highway wind
At “70” two rivers met
Towards Quincy, I chose to go left
This Feather River Canyon Road
Was carved through mountain hills of stone
A train winds through the other side
Above the creek and great divide
We race, but I don’t know where to
But soon it disappears from view
Then suddenly it reappeared
Now on my left and ever clear
I sped towards a tunnel dark
Where mountains swallow railroad cars
I climbed a hill and took a right
Then saw the view of Keddie “Y”
Two Railroad Bridges cross the creek
Beneath the hills and Keddie Peak
The train slowed down across the bridge
Then came to rest where eyes could miss
“Keddie Resort”, a sign directs
It beckoned me “turn to the left”
The small paved road led to a pond
Years of neglect, its patrons gone
Green trestle bridge spans Spanish Creek
Stone walls and Vinca welcome me
I venture ‘cross to “days gone by”
And hardly can’t believe my eyes
Log Cabins empty standing strong
Are all but lost, this just seems wrong
Ahead an old Lodge on one side
Its Bunkhouse does this road divide
Tall shutters made with tree cut outs
This town was something, that’s no doubt
Some twenty Cabins lined its roads
To share views of the creek below
Just past the Lodge and up the hill
I heard my train, its whistle shrill
An old white Depot stood alone
Above this town with walls of stone
A Railroad town this must have been
I thought “this place should live again”
A voice inside said “this is it”
A seed was planted, candle lit
From that day my soul found no rest
Till’ Keddie Town was at its best
For many years I’d come again
To this Resort I shared with friends
This special place I felt at home
And hoped someday that I could own
The train that led me to this place
Knew who I was “make no mistake”
I gathered friends who felt the same
Restoring this town and its name
Someday these Cabins on the creek
Its Lodge and Bunkhouse, parks and streets
Redressed and fitted will be shared
Its guests thankful this town was spared
So grateful now I saw that train
That fateful day when first I came
A treasure once lost long ago
Is now that place my heart calls home.
Inspiration
After returning from our first renovation weekend at Keddie Resort