This adorable cottage has the perfect combination of Hill Country qualities: it is rustic, riverfront, and conveniently located. Our house is just a few minutes’ walk to The Hunt Store, but our 3.5 tree-covered acres along the north fork of the Guadalupe River give the house a country cabin feel.

The house has been in our family since the 1960s, and we consider it a sanctuary of quiet and simplicity. We have maintained its quaint vintage appeal with features like the limestone exterior and original cabinetry. The kitchen is fully-equipped, and opens to a dining/living area with a fireplace; the two screened porches open off either side of the living area. The house has brand new central a/c but was originally designed for maximum air-flow . . . so on those cool Hill Country mornings, open the doors and windows and listen to all the birds.

There are two bedrooms, each with a full bathroom; both bedrooms open onto a screened porch. One bedroom has 2 full-sized beds and the other bedroom has one full-sized bed and a twin bed. There is also a Pack n Play available. All of the beds have nice cotton linens.

Our lot has woods on all sides, obscuring the road and neighbors. There is a large lawn with beautiful old oaks trees and a cleared area perfect for baseball or football games. There is also a barbecue pit, a picnic table, and a tire swing. Our porch chaise lounges have substantial, custom-made mattresses known to sleep an overflow; they also provide a cozy vantage point, shaded by the oaks and overlooking the bird feeders and yard.

We've kept our riverfront wooded and undeveloped in order to retain a natural, secluded feel. And our slice of the Guadalupe has it has it all: towering cypress trees, deep water for swimming, and a shallower area for wading. Fishing can be good too. Or bring tubes or canoes, launch them upriver at a low-water crossing, and float back to the house. The riverfront is downhill from the house and is accessible from the upper lawn via stairs (about 30 steps).

One of the best features of our house is the location! It’s just two blocks to The Hunt Store, Elaine’s Table, and Rio Rancho taco stand. The ever-popular Crider's Rodeo and Dancehall is a beautiful 10 minute drive down the south fork. Our central locale means close proximity to many summer camps; it is 0.1 miles to Camp La Junta, 2.2 miles to Camp Stewart, 4.3 miles to Heart of the Hills, 4.3 miles to Camp Rio Vista/Sierra Vista, 5.1 miles to Camp Waldemar, and Camp Mystic is 5.6 miles away. The house is also just a few hundred yards down the road from La Hacienda.

We hope other families find that their time here brings them closer together as it does ours. This is your opportunity to unplug and enjoy tranquility and/or family with no electronic distractions. In keeping our house simple and low-tech, there is no television or internet service at the house. However, wireless connections are available a couple of blocks away at The Store and Rio Rancho.