It’s month 8 of our 30 Something Gap Year and we’ve come to a halt. We decided to take a break from constantly being on the move and hole up in the mountains for a little while (and save some money while we’re at it). We were lucky to find the perfect fit, living and working at Dunton Hot Springs. It’s an old mining townsite with log cabins turned Relais and Chateau; The all-inclusive resort subtly combines rustic charm with unpretentious luxury. In the evenings, guests gather in the original saloon and dance hall from the 1880’s for an elegant, multi-course meal, paired with world-class wines. Beginning this beautiful fall of 2018, “Team Regan” is Dunton’s newest Chef and Sommelier!
We are living on the property in a cabin that blends in with the other 13 guest cabins. It feels like the beginning of an entirely new adventure as we settle into our new home, new jobs and new “neighborhood”. Stillness in one place feels really good. We both have realized the importance of having a home-base and allowing ourselves to slow down and be still. These vast San Juan Mountains satisfy my nature-loving, introverted self on a deep level. I don’t mind hiking up the same trail to the same pond or gazing at the same mountains…the fleeting fall and changing of the seasons makes it look and feel different every day. Plus, I really enjoy getting to know a place.
The daytime has been spent exploring the area around Dunton, which I think might be one of the most beautiful valleys I’ve ever seen. We have an unobstructed view of El Diente Peak, which reaches 14,165 feet. During our first week out here we had the fortune of climbing most of the way to the top with Jarrod’s brother, who has now summited all 54 of Colorado 14ers. Now in mid-October, El Diente and the surrounding peaks are covered in a thin blanket of snow. The white crests are juxtaposed by the vibrant yellow and orange hues of the aspen trees in the valley. I can’t seem to take my eyes off of the incredible beauty of it all! I’ve been out of the country every September/October for the past 4 years, and nearly forgot just how beautiful Colorado is this time of year. I am soaking up every moment of this especially vibrant fall while it lasts!
Dunton is an hour drive from the nearest town, Dolores to the west and Telluride to the east. To get here you turn off the highway and follow the West Fork of the Dolores River for 22 miles. The road tunnels through beautiful groves of aspens and opens up to a wide valley with cabins and ranches dotted along the way. Eventually the pavement turns to gravel, and 10 miles later it reaches the old mining town of Dunton, siting on pockets of mineral-rich hot springs.
We are settling into our new roles as Chef and Sommelier. We work in the evenings for dinner service. The chefs have a big, private kitchen for prepping and butchering (yes, butchering!), and a display kitchen in the dining area for curious guests to watch and interact. They source as much as they can locally and make nearly everything from scratch, from vinegar to jam to cheese and salami.
Along with serving beautiful plates of food, I have been pouring and presenting wine to pair with each course for dinner. It’s fun to put my studies to practice, especially in this casual yet elegant setting. Guests seem to really enjoy having an elevated dining experience with rustic charm; jeans are encouraged and after dinner a big fire awaits for roasting marshmallows and sipping whiskey.
I am appreciating this rustic-luxury cabin life too. No cell phone reception, no stores, no traffic, no distractions. Just cabins, trees, mountains, a river and hot springs.
During the warm hours of the day it’s not uncommon to find Jarrod fishing for trout from the clear river while Alpe sniffs all the new smells and I practice yoga nearby. It’s easy to find these peaceful moments out here; fully absorbed in our own existence. Quiet trails lead to incredible views and high alpine lakes. Serving delicious food and wine to visitors from across the globe provides the perfect amount of engagement in the evenings. Then, at the end of the day, melting into the hot springs makes us feel like royalty and ensures a good night’s sleep.
No wonder people from all over the world come here for a mountain escape. I can’t believe that we are living it!
SO MUCH YES!!! Love this post. Thanks for the glimpse into your new paradise:)