Location, location, location

To begin the story, you need to know about the setting.  Catron Couny is an interesting place. The Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts merge somewhat in this area. In addition, the geological complextiy, elevational gradients and relatively high numbers (for a desert) of rivers and streams make for a biologically diverse area. In other words, views are amazing where-ever you go, the birding is fantastic and there are interesting animals and plants everywhere.

Back view of the house

To get to the house, you have to drive, and drive, and drive.  Thankfully, it is a beautiful drive from any direction. This part of the country is pretty isolated; it is a four hour drive from any large city (Albuquerque, Tuscon, or El Paso), and once you get there its nice and quiet. 

Passing the Very Large Array on the drive from Albuquerque 

The house was began in the 70's by my father.  He started the magazine Adobe News back then, which over the decades has transmuted into Adobe Builder and the Southwest Solar Adobe School.  He designed the cabin and built it with the help of friends and students through the early 90's.  At the point when I took over the project, the house was the shell that you see below.  It looks nice (and it is), but to stay there is still an exercise in fancy camping.  All the electricity is in, but the plumbing was not finished.  The adobe guarantees a level of climate control (along with a fireplace in winter), but the creature comforts weren't there.

The house in 2005

Forthcoming posts will describe the history of the site, construction progress, future projects and the growth of the orchard and garden.  See you soon..

Barbed wire ball in a juniper tree outside the house