When the stresses of urban life get too great, take a step into the peace and tranquility of one of the most serene spots in Nevada. Deer Run Ranch Bed and Breakfast is the perfect spot to take a break from the running "rat race" of city life.

Relax in the shade of tall cottonwoods on the pond deck and watch the abundant wildlife that call Deer Run home. Take in the spectacular views of Washoe Lake and the Sierra Nevada while watching the surrounding alfalfa fields sway from side-to-side in the gentle breeze. Make Deer Run your home base for an adventure-filled vacation, or just enjoy the solitude of a secluded getaway.

This casual, contemporary ranch house combines luxury with the charms and pleasures of a simpler time. An owner-built passive solar home, it was designed to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter, reflecting the extremes of climate typical of the high desert mountain west. Spacious patios and outdoor areas surround the house, and the evening breeze down the canyon brings the smell of the sage and the haunting cry of the coyote. The private guest wing has two comfortable guest rooms with queen beds, private baths, and guest sitting room with private entry. On those nippy winter nights, you might want to sit by the cozy fireplace in the sitting room, which is decorated with Navajo rugs and paintings, and enjoy the extensive library collection. A telephone, television with VCR, coffee and beverage service, and guest refrigerator are in the sitting room for your convenience.

Upon your arrival, you'll find a welcome basket of fruit, wine, and snacks to greet you. A full ranch breakfast, served at the handmade table in the sitting room, might include house specialties like omelets Florentine or Provencal. Enjoy fresh-brewed coffee and imported teas, home baked specialty breads and muffins. The table at Deer Run is seasonal, depending on what's in the garden. Breakfast is served on pottery plates made here at the ranch in the studio.

Your hosts, David, an architect-builder, and Muffy Vhay, a professional artist-potter, are both longtime Nevada residents who are knowledgeable about local lore and activities.

Deer Run Ranch is only ten minutes from Carson City and 25 minutes from Reno. Though secluded, it is not isolated, and there are many things to do and see in the area. There are excellent restaurants in Washoe Valley, Carson City, and Reno. Golf, riding stables, shopping, sail boarding, sailing, hiking, bird watching, skiing, and much more can be found at nearby places like Washoe Lake State Park and the Virginia and Sierra Mountain Ranges, Lake Tahoe, Carson City, Reno, and Virginia City.

Come and see why Fodor's said, "site and structure form a perfect union, creating a spacious secluded and sensuous Bed and Breakfast experience" at Deer Run Ranch.