WHAT A RUSH

IT HAS been 25 years since I visited the States and the last time I was in America, I was getting a selfie with Minnie Mouse at Disney World in Florida.

- BY SANDRA MALLON

So what better way to reintroduce America to me as an adult than to head for California's Tuolumne County — the heart of Gold Country where thriving Gold Rush towns put the region on the map.

Here, you'll meet real-life cowboys and cattle ranchers. Sadly, none I could take home to Mum.

After 10 hours on an Aer Lingus flight direct from Dublin to San Francisco, we travel around three hours to Sonora, the largest town in Tuolumne County.

This quaint town offers a glimpse into the past with their preserved saloons, historic buildings and museums.

Our first stop is bedtime. We arrived at The Inn on Knowles Hill, a gorgeous boutique bed and breakfast hotel overlooking the town of Sonora. It's been 14 hours since I last saw Ireland and I was looking forward to my bed.

We were immediately greeted by owner Rhonda Buess, who runs this charming hotel with her vintage car-obsessed husband Fred.

The couple have been married since 1992 and have spent over $1 million renovating The Inn on Knowles Hill — and boy does it show.

The Inn is 12,500 square feet of home away from home. I've never slept in a bed with softer pillows and it had the most comfortable mattress. It was so big I joked I'd need a ladder to climb in.

After a peaceful night's sleep, it was time for breakfast. But this was no grab-and-go situation — I was in America now.

For every guest, Rhona prepares a two-course breakfast that sets you up for the day.

For our first course, Rhonda served us organic bosc pear poached in cardamom spice, filled with vanilla bean creme with raspberry coulis and toasted almonds.

Our second course arrives as Rhonda serves us Aebleskivers (Danish pancakes) served traditionally with raspberry jam and Chantilly cream. The dish was accompanied with Knowles Hill eggs florentine, a recipe designed at The Inn, and some turkey bacon.