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If movie-making, as the old adage goes, is
all about suspending reality, there's little wonder why movie
producers like Steven Spielberg so often circle the barn at
California's Bonnie B Ranch Resort.
As the natural setting for Spielberg's
Mouse Hunt and countless other flicks, Bonnie B Ranch
has truly carved out a unique niche in the Sierra foothills.
Its 440 acres of undulating beauty lay at the foot of the
majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains in a Sierra National Forest
populated by cedars, pines, and oaks.
During the fall, the forest complements
the mountains' breathtaking sunsets with its own blend of
burnt oranges and rustic reds. A magic carpet is laid come
spring as the lupin stand tall amidst a rainbow of wild flora.
And in between, the seasons are contrasted by virgin snows and
lush meadows. Five small lakes reflect the property's pastoral
peace, and an old covered bridge and gristmill combine with
long stretches of finely crafted stonework and winding
split-rail cedar fences to link a time-honored past.
The Ranch:
Built in 1891, this one-time cattle ranch
ultimately evolved into a dude ranch before Kerry Bryant and
family converted it into a "guest ranch." In its
current incarnation, the "Bonnie B" offers you the
best of both worlds -- the recreational amenities of a dude
ranch coupled with the privacy of a vacation rental.
Best of all, though, you don't have to sell
the farm to rent the ranch. A group of only six people can for
one week escape to the suspended reality of the Bonnie B Ranch
for just $55 per person per day. Except for meals, that
includes the whole kit and caboodle -- your lodging, horseback
riding, some action-packed fishing, and all of the myriad
other things you can do on 440 acres of natural habitat.
In other words, when you book the Bonnie
B, you become more than a mere guest. For that one week, the
ranch is all yours. There will be someone around be of
assistance and to help with the horses. But other than that,
you'll be pretty much on your own. Which is kind of nice for
those who value their privacy.
As for those who don't mind being pampered
just a little, there's a personal chef on retainer who can
satisfy your palate night and day at a most reasonable rate.
Or, if you'd rather, there are some excellent restaurants in
nearby North Fork, Bass Lake, and Oakhurst. In fact, Bass Lake
is known for its lakeside eateries, and Oakhurst is home to
Erna's Elderberry House, California's renowned five-star
dining establishment.
The
Accommodations: Most guests, though, choose to
stay put, and to that end, Bonnie B's 4,300-square-foot main
house includes a fully equipped country kitchen and a
wrap-around deck complete with barbecue grill. The barn-style
main house also has three bedrooms, three baths, and a
spacious living area that features an unusual three-way stone
fireplace, a towering wood-beamed ceiling, and giant picture
widows that provide incredible vistas of the property's
largest lake and the Sierra Nevada Mountains that lie beyond.
Other lodging amenities include cable television, a VCR, a fax
machine, and heating and air conditioning. |
Fishing &
Trails: Sixteen miles of scenic trails mark the
way for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, and the
property's lakes are not only great for catching trophy-sized
bass, bluegill, and crappie, but also provide alcoves for
swimming. The acreage is teeming with all sorts of wildlife,
and bird-watchers will think they've found paradise. Yosemite
National Park boasts an even larger menagerie, and it beckons
from only 35 miles away. There you will also find one of three
local golf courses, where grazing deer will leisurely critique
your swing, which is why you'll want to pack a camera in your
golf bag.
Winter
Activities: Naturalists will also be impressed
with the region's High Sierra lakes of Shaver and Huntington.
Huntington Lake, in particular, is known for its various
islands and its ideal sailing conditions. And when the weather
turns cold, you can look forward to testing the slippery
slopes of the Sierra Nevada. There you'll not only find trails
for cross-country and Alpine skiing, but also a nice ice
skating rink. In fact, you can also go snowmobiling,
snowshoeing, or hitch a sleigh ride if you'd like.
If you truly want to see it all, though,
you'll probably need to take a tour. The Logger, an authentic
steam train, offers one option and also throws in some lively
musical entertainment and mouth-watering barbecue. Or, you can
opt for a guided bus tour that navigates the Sierra Vista
Scenic By-Way from Bass Lake and Oakhurst all the way into
Yosemite. Either way, you'll see the kind of scenery that
inspires movies; and when the day's done, you'll even get to
spend the night on your very own movie set. |