Stargazer Ranch

Retreat to the solitude of this Strawbale House with 29 acres of pinion and cedar pasture. 67 miles south of Albuquerque, Mountainair is known as "the Gateway to the Ancient Cities." It is an artistic town that rests beneath the Manzano Mountains. Hiking trails and national parks featuring Spanish and Native ruins are only a 20 minute drive from town. The space If you are interested in eco-friendly building alternatives and have an appreciation for energy conservation, then this is your chance to experience these methods and see the benefits for yourself. In 2007 our family began renovation on an existing stick frame house on 29 acres. The original house was wrapped in straw bales for insulation and a water catchment system was added for catching rain. Several apple and apricot trees were planted and a south facing greenhouse was built. The interior of the house is an artistic collage of southwestern colors. There are beautiful custom mosaics in the kitchen and colorful tilework throughout the large open shower design. The master bedroom has a queen bed & does not have a latching door, instead there is a curtain in place for privacy. The second bedroom has a full bed and door, and the den has a queen size sofa bed. The house is filled with eclectic art work, upcycled furniture and fully stocked for comfort. Please note that this is our family home and is well loved and lived in. If you are expecting luxury accommodations this is not what we are providing. Our price point is set to reflect that. The nearly 29 acres are a jewel to explore. With many untended trails winding their way through the chaparral, this land is ideal for horseback riding or dog-walking. Soak in the scenic view of the Manzano Mountains as they go through their many different moods. Always gorgeous in the evening with the setting sun going down right behind them, the mountains and surrounding mesas come more into view the farther into the acres you go. And at night the dark sky conditions make for perfect star viewing. If you want to use your telescope to explore the dark skies, then this is the place for you. Please note! Our property is located off of highway 55 which adds to convenience of our location. All this with the town of Mountainair just blocks away! Hiking trails are accessible throughout the surrounding area. Including Red Canyon Trail, the Manzano Crest Trail, and many others in the Cibola National Forest. Also running past the property is the historic BNSF Train Line, please take note of this if the sound of a train will be bothersome to you. It's only a 20 minute drive to the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monuments, which have three separate sites to the north, west and south of Mountainair. Ripe with cultural history, environmental explorations, space science, and creative frames of mind, this house will be a relaxing retreat for anyone who appreciates art, nature and sustainable lifestyle. If you are expecting a manicured lawn and see native shrubbery as an eye sore then please do not book here!!! We keep the foliage down around the house but the outer perimeters are left natural. If you hike out to the outer acreage you will find prickly pears, yuccas, grama grass cedar and pinon trees. The owner does not live on site, but we do have a neighbor across the street who will be available to help should you need it. Enjoy your stay at Stargazer Ranch!!! Guest access You will access to the entire home and land with the exception of the basement and the outdoor storage units. Other things to note If you are used to the standard HVAC system, then the straw bale house may be a little different than you are used to. The house is heated during the winter using an ETS system alongside a woodburning stove. The straw bales really retain the heat inside keeping it cozy. During the warmer times of year, we recommend leaving the windows open at night to let the cool air in and closing them on hot days. The house stays comfortable year round with these natural methods and each room has a ceiling fan for air circulation. The kitchen has a 6 burner gas stove that is NOT equipped with an automatic ignition. In order to use the gas stovetop it must be manually lit. We have a microwave, electric skillet and a two burner hotplate as alternatives to the stove. We also stock basic coffee supplies, utensils, plates, bowls and pots and pans for cooking. You will have access to the Stargazer Wi-Fi during your stay and will be able to cast to the television using Chromecast. There are, however, no cable channels available. We offer an extensive library of books, records, DVDs and board games for your entertainment pleasure! The mosaic main street of Mountainair has a grocery store, hardware store, art galleries, cafes and even a pharmacy with an old fashioned soda fountain, all within walking distance. This a great retreat for artists and creatives or those who just want to get their minds into a different space.