So, I got up too early - 7:45 - the day after Christmas and they said "you write!" We voted, all two of us. Protest as I might, I couldn't get out of it. So here goes.
Let's deal with the important stuff first, and get it out of the way. The place is fabulous, there's no other word for it. Oh, well, there were a few minor blemishes, like resin exuding door posts which made hands sticky, wood too long for the stove, a saw that was too dull to cut the wood, no pepper - at least we couldn't find any-but hey! I know I'm nit-picking, right?
We absolutely love the driveway! Upon arrival, for our 4-wheel drive jockeys, the drive was heaven-- vroom up the hill in 4-wheel drive-low. "See, mama, I told you we needed this rig!"** How things change. The next day, Christmas day, it snowed all day, and the Bronco got stuck half way down, and we all groaned and moaned about maybe missing the train ride, and having to put up with each other up here for a week, and maybe get lifted out by helicopter (That's right, we're not from Colorado!) and losing our jobs, etc., etc. Yes, of course, branches, sand, leaves, you name it, they were all gathered and stuffed under the spinning wheels, with no effect - other than dirty hands!
Right on order, though, the day after Christmas, the sun came out, the required snow man was built - celery for a nose, we didn't have a carrot-but most importantly, the snow and ice melted from the driveway, and the whole gang could drive to Durango. Shopping, of course. Back to the wonderful cabin - we never did find the wine cellar! There must be one, but where?
Back to the important stuff, it's really hard to believe packing so many bedrooms and so many well-designed gathering places, and so much very beautiful pine wood, all into one cabin! Complete with everything, including piles and piles of firewood. Again, the adjectives escape me.
Our group included a horticulturist from South Carolina, who came complete with recently acquired snow shoes. After extensive trekking, he assures us that, in addition to loving the outside enviornment around the cabin, he identified the flora in the area - we didn't see any fauna, except for tracks. For a list and description just call, and it will be sent by return mail (just kidding, we decided that most of the trees around must be pine (??), and that there were some hardwoods too, but that's as far as we got).
Wednesday morning we descended toward Durango for the train ride. The fog was thick, and in the cabin we were well above it. When we got down to CR 501, apparently to top off the beautiful week, the trees were glistening with ice, creating a glistening panoramic view one only sees once in a lfietime - or in paintings. Thank you, thank you, Bayfield, Colorado.
Thanks to our guests,
the Abdallas, Browns and Voths from Columbia, South Carolina,
Albuquerque, New Mexico and Fayetteville, Arkansas for allowing
us to reprint this wonderful article!!
** Editor's note: see our picture Intimidating
Driveway? With all due respect to our wonderful
guests, the driveway can be and has been navigated quite easily
in a standard passenger car. It does LOOK intimidating, though.
Guests Relaxing on the Upper Deck
Fall Color Along the San Juan Skyway
Views
from the Log Home Balconies
Close UP
View
Intimidating Driveway?
After your trip, if you have pictures you want to submit, please let us know!
Send email to mikem77@msn.com.
Durango,
Colorado Vacation Lodging
Mayfield Log Home
Bayfield, Colorado (near Durango)
817-360-3072
email: mikem77@msn.com