A Shasta Lake Reset

Memorial Day weekend always feels like the real start of summer. People are off camping, heading to the lake, shaking off the cold months. I was lucky enough to make it up to Shasta with my buddy Allan to meet up with our friend Kaesen and his girlfriend Heather. She recently renovated her houseboat up there and invited us to come break it in for the weekend.

Mt. Shasta peaking in the background.

Shasta’s been my favorite lake in NorCal for a long time.

The mountains, the water, the way everything slows down—it’s got this way of making the rest of the world feel far away. I didn’t even realize how much I needed that kind of space until we pulled in.

The drive up was packed, no surprise. Holiday weekend traffic, but we weren’t in a rush. We rolled in a little late, and Kaesen and Heather had food ready to grill, drinks in the cooler, and good vibes waiting for us. We hung out for a bit and called it a night.

Kaesen grilling up some dinner.

Next morning, Heather brewed up some pour-over coffee with beans she grabbed from Heritage Coffee. That first sip hit the spot—smooth, strong, just what I needed. We sat out on the deck while the lake slowly woke up. That’s probably my favorite kind of moment. Nothing fancy. Just some quiet, a warm mug, and water stretching out in front of you.

Morning coffee on the top deck.

We spent part of the day helping with a few houseboat things, waiting on our friend Dan to show up. Once he arrived, we headed out from the marina, looking for a calm cove to anchor in. Kaesen went ahead in his boat with my jet ski in tow and scouted out this perfect little spot—flat water, protected from the wind, and a killer view of Mt. Shasta in the distance.

Mt. Shasta view from our anchored spot.

From there, the weekend just kind of unfolded.

We surfed behind the boat, floated for hours, jumped off the slide like we were kids, and paddled around with nowhere to be.

Heather having a bit of fun wakesurfing.

One of the afternoons, Kaesen brought up this hidden spot he knew about—a place he’d been to over the years. It’s tucked away in the mountain and takes a short hike to reach, climbing up rocks and following a creek.

The hike to reach the swim hole and waterslide.

The trail opened up to this quiet little swimming hole where the water rushed down from the mountain, carving a smooth rock into a natural slide. It was the kind of place you’d never find unless someone local told you about it.

We took turns sliding down, landing in the pool below like kids at summer camp. The water wasn’t too cold—just the perfect kind of refreshing after the hike in. And the whole thing… felt unreal. Like our own secret tucked into the woods.

Heather getting her slide on. —> pic by: Kaesen

Kaesen jumping over the rock slide.

That second night, Kaesen built a fire right at the edge of the point where we were anchored. It got hot—like stand-back-a-ten-feet kind of hot—but man, it was beautiful. Fire crackling, lake shimmering, just us and the trees around us. One of those nights where you don’t really talk about anything big, but everything feels meaningful anyway.

Nothing like a lakeside camp fire.

At one point, early in the morning before anyone was up, I sat on the top of the boat, feet dangling just above the water. The lake was glass. The air was still. And for a few minutes, everything just felt… quiet. No hustle, no pressure, no figuring anything out. Just peace.

Morning stillness.

Kelly couldn’t make it—she had to work that weekend—but I’m already looking forward to going back with her. I know she’d love it. Hopefully the kids too, someday. It’s one of those places you want to share.

I came back feeling different. Lighter, maybe. Like I’d picked up a little piece of myself I didn’t realize I’d set down. Being out there reminded me how important it is to step away. To float a little. To let things be quiet.

And honestly, I don’t think we do that enough.

Thank you to Kaesen and Heather for being so kind and for being amazing hosts!