Country Sunshine

Beautiful guest house north of Durango, Country Sunshine, Durango, Colorado

Country Sunshine Bed and Breakfast, a few miles from Durango, was the Guest House highlight of our trip.

From their website, Country Sunshine looked to be in a stunning setting. The house is large and in log cabin style (large log cabin!) sitting in the middle of a large green garden. 

Looks can be deceptive, though, as we all know.

What we were not prepared for was that Walter and Jodi had massively undersold their property and their services. 

As you enter the property you walk into a huge main room. It has two dining tables - each seating eight comfortably - as well as a grand piano. This room does NOT look crowded for a second.

At the front of the room patio doors lead our onto a stunning balcony overlooking the beautiful garden. The balcony has four tables each seating four in comfort. If needed Walter and Jodi cold fit another four tables on there with room to spare. 

Walter showed us downstairs to the “guests' den”. Here there is a TV with numerous videos as well as spacious seating areas and a stove for winter use. A large fridge houses beer, wine, soft drink: “Complimentary...”.- cheers, Walter!

Upstairs there is a fresh coffee maker and a water dispenser with cold or hot water and 20 types of tea. 

There is even a computer with Internet access for guest use: “It's a bit slow, I'm afraid.”.Vey thoughtful.

We are encouraged to use all these common areas as and when we like. 

It gets better; then on to our room.

Our room, Shady Oaks, has a huge King bed which looks fantastic. The sheets easily pass my partner “sheet test” - ie they are cotton with umptine threads to the inch. The bathroom is gorgeous. The furnishings lovely. 

We unpack, grab a glass of wine and head for the balcony. Walter says: “English people particularly like the humming birds...”

What! I didn't realize they had humming birds in America. In my seven visits I have never seen them. 

Within three minutes humming birds are buzzing around the feeders on the balcony like wasps around a jam-jar. They are so lovely!

Where can we eat, Walter? Walter has menus from every dinner establishment for ten miles around. He spreads out a selection. Where is the nearest? Henderson's – ten minutes away. It's a posh restaurant in a condo/golf course establishment. It's near, so we try it. 

Walter's parting words: “Come back for pudding – I'm making chocolate mousse.”

Is there no end to this man's talents? 

Sure enough; there is the chocolate mousse on our return. And next night – Walter has made a lovely strudel, which we eat warm. Walter has clearly missed his vocation as a chef.

Breakfast, too,.is a gourmet affair; an attractive bowel of fruit with yoghurt topping first course followed by home-made pancakes and crispy bacon; next morning, by special request of a guest, the second course consists of superlight potato pancakes, with choke-berry sauce, and organic chicken and apple sausages. 

I tell you - next time this place get more than two nights of my time! Five stars!

Country Sunshine is located about ten miles north of Durango on the Durango-Silverton road. Stay there if you are going soaring, or zip-wiring at www.soaring.com (a highly recommended day), as you get the train there from Rockwood station, a mile north of Country Sunshine. Otherwise, stay there for a few days' complete relaxation and pampering and use any excuse you can for going that way. The road north is truly beautiful mountain country. Watch our for snow in Winter .