AVAILABLE in MAY:

1 Bedroom partially-furnished kitchen suite located in a valley in the high plains of Northeastern New Mexico. This suite is located in a large farm house part of which was originally built in the 1850's. This suite is upstairs with a outside stairway leading to a deck that over looks the south lawn, orchard, and moss covered rock buff to the south.

Two dormer windows grace the suite; one facing east out to our backyard, vegetable garden and our lovely orchard, which is full of fruit trees and the other dormer window faces west and the beautiful sunsets. Then there is a large widow on the south facing our south lawn and flower garden area. Many different species of trees including cottonwood, aspen, willow, oak, green gage plum, chokecherry and much more are all over our property. Our hay fields lay north of the house and north of those is our magical river-bottom area full of mulberry, cottonwood and other species of bush and grass. This leads you to the Mora River which runs at the base of our property. And to top it all off, the train comes by several times a day. On any given day you will be delighted to see turkey, deer, elk (if you are a very early riser), fox, bobcat (very rare), mountain lions (rare also) and rabbit - lots of rabbits! Also coyote from time to time.

This is truly a haven of peace and beauty, and is perfect for one person who is retired and seeks the quietude of the country. It is an inspirational setting for artists, writers, persons who can work from a home setting; it could also be perfect for someone who travels and desires a second residence here in the magical land of Northeastern New Mexico. It is only a 35 minute drive to the nearest town of Las Vegas, NM where you can purchase most anything of necessity. There are also many shopping boutiques, including a wonderful Independent book store. The town of Las Vegas, NM is a very historical place, full of thousands of stories. There is a very active arts community here if you are so inclined. If you are interested, there is also a Walmart in town, 2 other grocery stores and a health food store as well. We have several locally-owned hardware and furniture stores, wonderful restaurants with great Northern NM food.

We have at least two emergency care clinics, many primary care doctors and chiropractors as well as a licensed and board certified Naturopathic Physician. Our hospital is new within the last few years and has helicopter service, if necessary, to the Albuquerque and Santa Fe hospitals. There are 3 institutes of higher learning: New Mexico Highlands University, Luna Community College and Armand Hammer World College.

WELL - We've told you a lot - much to take in and we may have left out one or two other things, but for the most part this is it. As you can see we have links to many photos off this text so you can get a good idea of what we are offering. This is our home. Naturally we will be very selective in choosing who will be the best fit. And, of course, so will you. If you are interested please contact us via email at jg@hughes.net for additional info. We have included a letter of reference from people who rent another property from us here on the farm so you can know something about us.

Person we are seeking:

Older, mature
Preferably single
Non-partier (social drinker not a problem)
May have one pet (preferably a cat)
Clean and neat
Respectful of property
Smoking allowed

AMENITIES

Small apartment-sized refrigerator - New
Large Microwave - New
Counter and S/S sink (small)
Large tiled bathroom-dressing area with large tub and shower
Nice closet and drawers in bath area
Private entrance
Convenient parking
If desired the ability to help out and share our produce from the garden and orchard
12-15 minutes to nearest village for mail and great mechanic
1-1/2 to 2 hours from Taos, 1-1/2 hours from Santa Fe, 2-1/2 hours from Albuquerque
15 minutes from Interstate-25
Pastoral and magical setting
Satellite TV and Internet availability (for additional fee - reasonable)
Phone availability-provided by Century Link (formerly Qwest)
Freedom to roam, walk, hike our property
And probably more I can't think of at the moment

Do not be concerned about having a 4-wheel drive, we do not. It is not necessary. We live off a paved state road and the state workers are good to plow after the Interstate is cleared. Our tree-lined lane is about a quarter of a mile from that county road and Joe has a tractor to grade it.

LETTER OF REFERENCE FROM OUR CURRENT RENTERS

In February of 2003, my husband and I moved from my native Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to Las Vegas, New Mexico, when he took a position at Alta Vista Hospital. We went online to search for housing. Our search led us to the lovely website of Joe and Patti Goetsch. Their beautiful photographs with scenes from their Cherry Valley Farm and surrounding territory, wildlife, mountain vistas, great rock formations and green meadows enchanted us, as did photographs of the charming cottage - just up the farm lane from the main farmhouse - where we have now lived so happily these nine years.

Cherry Valley is described in guidebooks as the prettiest valley in New Mexico, principally because of the river that runs through it. The result is a green valley filled with deep green shade alongside open meadows that support great herds of deer and elk. I have seen wet little newborn fawns, their mothers hovering near, and huge bull elk - unmistakable on account of the huge rack of antlers they bear - surrounded by the cows in their harems. I’ve seen cougars cross the road, baby bobcats on the farm lane and one big old tom who sat down and regarded me with curiosity that lasted long enough for me to see the scars on his chest from tomcat fights cougar-style. Then he got bored and trotted off, bobcat tail held high. On one of my early morning walks (this is a beautiful place to walk and it calls you forth) I was crossing the bridge nearest our house when I beheld a mother raccoon leading her litter of four little raccoons along the riverside. So much fur in one long line!

We see bald eagles in their migrations and year-round resident golden eagles, redtailed hawks who wheel overhead seeking prey and great blue herons who flap back and forth from a heron rookery on the river nearest us. One of my favorite sounds is the arguing of magpies as they build their nests in the tall blue spruce trees in front of our cottage. One of my favorite sights is the circling of migratory geese landing in clouds of wings on Cherry Valley Lake.

But by far the prettiest place is the Goetsch farm itself with its beautiful spreading farmhouse surrounded by trees and orchard. The house is lovely and large, always cool inside on even the hottest days. The view from every window is delightful.

The Goetsches are wonderful people who take wonderful care of us. When we first moved here I was at the midpoint of chemotherapy for colon cancer. Both Patti and Joe were generous, solicitous and helpful. They brought food and visited me while Frank was off working, drove me to the hospital while I was weathering crises and made sure I had everything I needed in the house. Patti, the best cook in the world, sent food up to me and eating at her table rivals the finest restaurants! It’s a treat for us to hang out at their house from time to time and enjoy their big screen TV and, most of all, their company.

I’ve watched as they’ve created this beautiful space to rent out in their spacious farmhouse. The grounds are equally beautiful with lawn, trees and flowers beside a spreading orchard—wonderful to overlook from the deck in the cool of the evening. I once saw a doe reach up and pluck an apple from a low hanging branch. In short, you will find both privacy and company in their home, beautifully appointed and surrounded by spectacular scenery. I cannot think of a more wonderful place to live.