Kristine and I arrived at our appointment at The Salt Ranch a few minutes early when I texted Laura saying, “Hi Laura! We’re early, but we’re here!” A couple of minutes later, Laura popped out from behind the entrance to welcome us. She lead us inside her and Thom’s showroom, which had so many things to look at, ranging from Iron and Resin’s hand built collection of motorcycle inspired goods to The Salt Ranch’s coastal ranching inspired goods. I almost felt speechless — I’ve never felt more understood.
Both brands’ roots have two things in common: the California coastal lifestyle and the appreciation of our area’s history. I ended up at The Salt Ranch with Laura because I was in the market for a custom hat — I was looking for something that would be one-of-a-kind, that nobody else had, and more importantly, a hat that actually fit me and stayed on my head whether I was out on a trail ride or on a sailboat. I wanted a hat that I could take anywhere, no matter what I was doing.
A hat shares your life story, as long as its your ride-or-die. Ever notice how worn-out some people’s hats look? They’ve been through some “stuff” (the good, the bad, the heavy) with you, whether it’s keeping you safe while you’re in the sun at the beach, on a horse, or doing yardwork. It’s probably seen your good days, your bad days, and your average days. No matter what, it’s been by your side.
The story of The Salt Ranch is a deep and life-altering one. Laura was in a horrible horse accident a few years ago and suffered a traumatic brain injury. While she was recovering, she had a “renewed clarity of focus and a commitment to pursuing the things in life that [brought her] joy”. Laura, Kristine, and myself shared our own recent experiences of times when life presented us with a notable plot twist, which in-turn created a new way of approaching life. The three of us all agreed on the idea that life is never promised, as cliché as it may sound. Tomorrow is never promised and this perspective naturally changes the way you approach each and every day.
The Salt Ranch is founded on the passion of history, ranching, and the ocean. Everything you find in their showroom or on their website is designed and made by hand and built to last, inspired by a life well lived. Their mission is beautiful and strong, honors the history of our ancestors, and appreciates what they built for us today.
All of our their hats are handmade from Guatemalan palm leaves and are incredibly durable, providing excellent SPF 50 protection from both sun and rain. They all start out in the same silhouette, and Laura gives them a special touch by shaping and molding them to your own custom look and fit. There are lots of different accessories to choose from to make your hat your “own”. Personally, I chose a light leather band that we layered, along with a beautiful gold piece of jewelry, and a little arrowhead. Arrowheads are very special to me, so when I saw one on her workbench, I immediately fell in love with it. I’m so proud of the hat that Laura and I created together!
I left The Salt Ranch with a new ride-or-die hat, that will always sit shotgun in my car if it’s not on my head, but more importantly, I feel like I left the showroom with a new friend. Laura is incredible — Anyone who knows her is lucky. She is a light in a currently bizarre world, and a beautiful reminder to enjoy your life while you can.
The West is Still Wild.
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Photography: Kristine Cramer Photography
