River Farm Guest Casita - a Sheltered Pastoral Abode

Part of a lovely organic farm along the Chama River in Medanales, neighboring Abiquiu. The casita sleeps two comfortably in the bedroom with queen size bed and can accomodate an additional child or adult in the loft. The cozy casita has a small living/kitchen area, a full bathroom with Mexican tile, and a separate bedroom. The loft is accessed through the bedroom. There is a covered portal with a wood stove and comfortable furniture on the front of the casita overlooking the vineyard and fields.

The casita is screened from the main house and is oriented toward the gardens, fields and vineyard. The flagstone patio borders the acequia, the traditional irrigation canal for the farm, and looks out over farmland and down to the cottonwood trees bordering the river. A small bridge leads across the acequia into the vineyard and old orchard. Guests are invited to enjoy seasonal produce.

You can also walk the 1/2 mile down the lane along the farm fields and through the meadow land to banks of the Chama River and enjoy the peacefulness of the river from the shaded campsite at the riverbank with picnic table and chairs and firepit.

Nearby the farm, hiking and riding trails lead to BLM and National Forest lands offering a variety of landscapes to enjoy -- vast open mesas, arroyos to explore, pine forests, mountain vistas. Also nearby are the ruins of little-known old Indian settlements. Ojo Caliente with its fabled hot springs and spa facilities is a short drive from the farm.

Medanales is a small village with a Hispanic population and tradition just south of Abiquiu of Georgia O’Keeffe fame. The landscape varies from pastures to badlands, with the magic Cerro Pedernal and Sierra Negra on the horizon. Both can be climbed by the more experienced hiker.

Ghost Ranch and the wide and splendidly colored Piedra Lumbre basin are nearby, as is Plaza Blanca with its white sandstone formations. Espanola, the main town in this predominantly Hispanic area, is 15 minutes away. Quite a few interesting restaurants that serve local cuisine (with red or green chili!) can be found here.

Keywords: Small House