The property location is situated close to the town of Mendocino, approximately 4 miles directly east of town. It is a separate guesthouse from the main farmhouse. There are numerous trees surrounding the cottage, providing privacy. The views are of open meadow, forest and apple orchard. Lots of outdoor space; fire pit, redwood fairy ring with hammock, secret tree forts, lawn games, outdoor kitchen with sink, counter and BBQ. The cottage was originally an office, which we added a bathroom and bed area. My son and a friend spent a few years working with me to complete the renovation. Utilizing various items we found around the property, we up-cycled to produce unique finishes around the structure. Old plumbing handles became cabinet door pulls, window shutters transformed into a kitchen cabinet, weathered redwood water tank was milled and used as window and door trim, rusted metal roofing covers the outside walls and a childhood dresser became the base for the bathroom sink. The decor is kept simple and clean, giving a sense of calm and relaxation. I've endeavored to refrain from clutter, which enhances the feeling of space and openness. The cottage consists of a well laid out kitchen, open to the remaining area of the room. The bed is situated in a separate area but part of the overall space. There is a small alcove with two lounging chairs. There is approximately 300 sq feet of living space, a spacious private bathroom, plus two additional decks, each measuring approx. 100 sq feet. All adding to approx. 500 sq. feet total living area. Guests are welcome and invited to wander the property. There is a 100+ year old apple orchard, still producing succulent fruit in the fall. There are over 30 varieties of apples, most planted in the early 1900's. We've added some newer ones over the years, primarily Asian pear varieties. The vegetable garden is open for harvest during the season. Help yourself to produce when available. We've installed a 9 basket Frisbee Golf Course that guests are welcome to play. It winds thru the apple orchard and around the perimeter of the property. Our property backs up to Jackson State Forest, so we essentially have a 90,000 acre backyard. Directly across the street from our driveway are numerous walking/biking/running trails thru Jackson State Forest. You can take a quick 15 minute walk or spend hours wandering around the forest. Several trails will take you down to Big River and to the beach. These trails can be challenging but a lot of fun. I let guests set the pace for interpersonal contact. I'm more than happy to communicate and engage with guests but respect your privacy. I would appreciate a brief, 10 minutes walk through with guests, just to clarify how things work. I've often sat with guests around the fire pit and shared a glass of wine and exchanged personal stories but realize that this is not to everyone's liking and leave it to guests to invite. I'm always available for information on local events or things to see and do while visiting. This area is situated out of the coastal fog and is generally 15-20 degrees warmer than the coast. What we lack in ocean view, we make up for with sunshine. Most neighbors have 10 acres of land, established and stable, quiet and respectful. There is very little public transportation along the coastal area. A car, motorcycle or bicycle is essential. It's a short 8 minute drive (all down hill) to reach the town of Mendocino, 20 to Fort Bragg. Riding a bike into town is quite easy. The road is wide enough to accommodate passing vehicles, although there is not a dedicated bike lane. The traffic is sparse and is a 35 mph zone. (in theory) The elevation is 900 feet above sea level, so the ride down is gentle and sloping. The return ride is a bit more challenging but not extreme. The first mile from town is the most strenuous, shifting into low gear but once you pass the grammar school, it flattens out and is a gradual incline. You can easily bike into town in 15-20 minutes. Applegate Cottage is situated on 10 acres of mostly open land, bordered by Jackson State Forest on the south and north. It is surrounded by similar sized properties. We are close friends with all our neighbors and have remained in good graces with each other for over 30 years. Maintaining relationships is essential and common courtesy goes a long way. For the most part, it is a quiet neighborhood, with occasional tractor or chainsaw activity. Rarely will it impact guests.