Escape to the natural beauty of the Rio Embudo Valley in this private, quiet, straw bale casita on a 6+ acre artist’s homestead in the Sangre de Cristo foothills featuring gardens and earthen buildings. Visit local wineries and the majestic Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, walk down to the river, or get cozy by the fire. Located in the village of Dixon, this is a great jumping off point for ski trips (Taos, Sipapu), snowshoeing, cross country skiing, Ghost Ranch, and Ojo Caliente. The Casita: The approximately 900 square foot, straw bale casita is bermed into a hillside. The artist owned and decorated space features a modern aesthetic with rustic touches, a rotating collection of small-scale works of contemporary art, and a beautifully designed patio with unobstructed sunset views of the surrounding hills and mesas. The Location: Located in the historic village of Dixon, the Bosque Cottage property (pronounced “boss-kay,” this refers to the deciduous forest that lines the river) includes the main house (in which the hosts live), a small art studio, a large vegetable garden, newly planted fruit trees, chickens, the casita, and a tiny house. The retreat is perfect for those seeking renewal, rest, and opportunities to reconnect with nature. The five-acre property is bordered on one end by the Embudo River, a mountain stream that feeds into the Rio Grande, and includes at least three distinct ecosystems: the high desert arroyo (dry river bed), the river, and the bosque. Through interactions with both the tended garden and wilder landscapes we hope a stay in the casita will inspire guests to appreciate the wonders of the natural world, the possibility of a more sustainable lifestyle, and human creativity. Sleeping: • Stairs lead to a loft bedroom with a queen-sized bed • In the living room, a sofa sleeper serves as a twin bed Kitchen: • Organic olive oil and vinegar, sugar, sea salt, pepper, and other basic spices • Stainless steel cookware • Dishes and silverware, basic cooking utensils • Zojirushi drip maker and pour over coffee maker, coffee filters, coffee grinder, and freshly ground locally roasted, organic, fair trade coffee • Two-burner induction cooktop • Ninja countertop oven and air fryer • Full size refrigerator • Washing machine with eco-friendly laundry detergent. Note that the washer is appropriate for small loads only. • Eggs are included when they are abundant, usually late spring - late autumn Bathroom: • Eco-friendly toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. We are currently using Alaffia’s African Black Soap Shampoo and Body Wash and Everyone for Everybody conditioner • Amazing tile work gives the shower a spa-like feel Outdoors: • Patio with sunset views, chiminea fire pit, a small herb garden, shade, seating, and lighting • Front patio with propane grill, grill tools, seating • Visiting the garden is encouraged! Guests who wish to harvest small amounts of vegetables for meal preparation during their stay are welcome to do so after a quick garden orientation provided by one of the hosts. • Garden produce is usually available July - mid October. • A short trail runs from the patio, through the arroyo, to the river. There is a rocky area by the river that is great for sitting. • The river is lovely any time of year, but water levels can vary seasonally Climate Control: • Thick, straw bale insulated walls keep the space cool in summer and warm in winter • Wood stove with locally gathered firewood, kindling, fire starter, and a brief tutorial (in person or over the phone) • Mini split air conditioner/heater • Radiant, in-floor heating Other Amenities: • One large bundle of locally gathered firewood and fire starter are provided for the chiminea and/or wood stove. Additional firewood (with fire starter) can be purchased for $5.00 per bundle. • Smart television streams Netflix, Hulu, and Hulu Live, which provides many cable and local channels • Stream music using the Pandora app on the television Eco-Friendly Features: • Straw bale construction • Synthetic fragrances and fabrics avoided • Composting and recycling are encouraged • Rainwater collection for landscape watering • Recycled or tree-free paper products • Recycled or compostable trash bags • Eco friendly toiletries and soaps • Reclaimed wood kitchen cabinets Casita guests have the entire casita to themselves, including its patio. All Bosque Cottage guests (casita and tiny house) have access to the garden, the arroyo, the trail to the river, the bosque, and the area of river frontage that is on our property. We love meeting our guests in person whenever possible and will go out of our way to welcome you and help make your stay more comfortable in any way we can while also respecting your privacy. Feel free to contact us at any time using the Airbnb app (preferred) or via text or a phone call. You will very likely see us working in the garden or in other areas of the property during your stay. Feel free to approach us to say hello and have a friendly chat! We both have jobs off the property but usually one of us is home during the summer months. Dixon is a small, agricultural community famous for its orchards. The community is very diverse and peaceful. The Sipapu Ski Resort, a favorite of locals, is just 30 minutes away. About the same distance are areas good for sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The casita is just 25 minutes from Taos and a little over an hour from Santa Fe, and all of the cultural attractions these cities have to offer. Drive 20 minutes in another direction and you will be in the Sangre de Cristo mountains where opportunities for hiking, fishing, and enjoying nature abound. About one mile from the casita is the Dixon Co-op Market, a small but well-stocked grocery store and deli. The village has a restaurant, Zuly’s, which has excellent New Mexican food and a patio. There are three wineries very nearby, one within walking distance. Access to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument (a.k.a., “the gorge”) is approximately 10 miles from Bosque Cottage and not to be missed. Although the casita is situated for maximum privacy, it is neighbored on one side by our large vegetable and flower garden (in which the hosts regularly work) and on the other by our tiny house, a second Airbnb that rents in the summer only. The tiny house is approximately 30 feet away. The tiny house rents to a maximum of only two guests at a time, with an emphasis on those looking for a quiet getaway. Also, the hosts live in the main house on the property, which is approximately 50 yards (150 feet) from the casita. Privacy is created using landscaping and fencing. We can provide parking for one vehicle only. We do have wifi, but cannot promise perfect or fast connectivity in our rural area. We encourage guests to unplug. Four wheel drive or all wheel drive is highly recommended during winter months (November - March) due to the possibility of ice, snow, and mud on our unpaved driveway. The driveway is a short dirt road that is narrow and can be a little rough, but it is easily accessed in a passenger vehicle during the rest of the year. We do have neighbors, but they are not as close as in a city or suburb. The driveway passes a couple of neighboring properties before ending at our gate, the entrance into our property. In summer 2022, we and many in our village were impacted by flash floods. We have been working hard to recover and our place is looking better than ever. But not all of our neighbors have recovered from this event. You will notice this as you follow the dirt road that dead ends at our property, passing a couple of neighboring homes.