Our intention is to provide those with MCS (Multiple Chemical
Sensitivities) an environment that is as safe as possible during their
visit, while maintaining the same environmentally safe environment for
us, and the next guest(s).
We work under a general assumption that no accommodation is perfect for
those with MCS and that no two people with MCS have the same
sensitivities; so we ask that you read the following carefully, ask
questions should you have them, and make an informed decision should
you be interested in staying here.
We maintain a clean, fragrance-free
studio apartment suitable for the chemically sensitive. This is
not for those persons in a health crisis or for those who plan to
suddenly become fragrance-free for this visit. Those with MCS are
sensitive to low levels of fragrance and chemicals that are usually
undetectable to most people without MCS. This is also not an
accommodation for people who use perfumey products but plan to apply
them in the morning after leaving the casita for the day, assuming that
the fragrances will wear off by the time they return in the evening.
This studio apartment is for people who live a fragrance-free life 24/7
and have done so for a considerable time before arriving here.
“Natural” fragrances such as smudge sticks, essential oils
(e.g., musk, petchouli) and incense, burned or not, are not allowed.
Should you use these regularly and simply plan not to use these during
your stay, this would also be unacceptable as these fragrances are
usually permeated in clothing and on the body and then linger in an
environment. Those who use or wear such products are usually
unaware of these fragrances on their bodies or on their cloths.
For those of us with MCS, these fragrances are quite obvious and they
can affect us adversely.
We air out the space a few days between visitors to ensure a
fragrance-free environment. We also work under the assumption
that even those who live fragrance-free can leave behind odors.
We have been able to easily clear these before the next guest
arrives. Note: There is no air filter in the apartment except for
the days we clean between visitors.
Environmentally friendly and fragrance-free cleaning and garden products are used.
No pesticides are EVER SPRAYED inside the building or around the
property. Ten years ago this property was commercially
sprayed with synthetic pyrethroids and a year was spent decontamining
the house and grounds, with no residual pesticides now in or around the
house that we can detect. More information about this can be
discussed, if there is a concern.
Expect that you will see bugs occasionally in the apartment and around
the property – spiders, ants, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets,
and mosquitoes, etc. We practice Integrated Pest Management and
consult with Richard Fagerlund (IPM expert at the University of New
Mexico) when needed about pest problems.
To control pesky insects we use Diatomaceous Earth, bug vacuums, etc.,
feather dusters, and sweep regularly, keep things clean, and only in an
emergency will apply a bait (only outside though) when nothing else
works. For example, we have used perhaps 3 teaspoon of Amdro
during the past 10 years when a red ant/harvester anthill forms on a
path or in the driveway where people stand or walk. This is because
visitors have gotten serious bites and reactions from these ant
stings. Also, we have used Frontline on our dogs during 2 seasons
over the past 10 years in summers during an especially fierce tick
infestation when nothing we tried helped. There are no ticks now
and Frontline was last used in Summer, 2006.
We cannot guarantee neighbors do not spray pesticides or that they use
organic or environmentally friendly products or that the city where
this is located may not inadvertently spray pesticides, though I have
an agreement with the city not to spray my street.
Nontoxic art supplies are requested. Our policy is no cigarette smoking inside or out.
We are located in the Española Valley in a lovely old established quiet neighborhood with trees, about 1 mile from the Rio Grande.
This is a college town of about 10,000 at an elevation of 5,600
ft. The weather is dry during all seasons. Summer highs are
in the 80s and 90s. The rainiest months are July and August with
wonderful short-lived thunderstorms and frequent rainbows. Winter
highs are often in the 40s and 50s but sometimes lower. Snow is eagerly
hoped for and sometimes happens. Spring is windy. Fall is
dry and spectacular. Lows are about 30 degrees below highs.
Our town, Española, is not considered a tourist destination. Many visitors find that refreshing! We offer an off-the-beaten-track
retreat for those interested in a quiet place to stop over, enjoy their
creative pursuits, or simply unwind. This is a cozy small but
spacious feeling lodging meant to feel like home! We would want
to stay here!
We are nicely situated between Santa Fe and Taos and the Abiquiu area
with their many cultural attractions – all these destinations are
about 30 minutes away and all easy beautiful drives.
Your hosts have lived in the area for over 20 years and will share with
you a list of their favorite places to visit nearby: galleries,
restaurants, chocolatiers, valley and mountain hikes, mineral springs,
birdwatching spots, ski areas, historic churches, Indian pueblos, and
archaic rock-art sites.
There is a public and a college library in town and there are 3 gyms,
as well as walking paths blocks away. Northern New Mexico College, 3
minutes away, offers short courses ranging from adobe building
construction to yoga.
In the summer, there is a weekly local Farmer’s Market.
The apartment is on the west wing of the house though totally private and with a private entrance. It is fully furnished,
has cement floors, a tiled roomy bathroom with bathtub, washer &
dryer, a kitchenette, full-sized organic futon that turns into a sofa,
a private entrance, parking, lovely views from all windows of our
organic gardens and outside native grassy area for sitting picnic style
under trees, and a rustic overhang near the front door for shade which
provides cover from the rain, and has under it a long wooden bench for
sitting. Minimal sounds can be heard from inside the main
house and vice versa.
The entrance to the apartment is wheelchair/scooter accessible.
However, there is a step up to the bathroom, and the bathtub is not
wheelchair accessible.
The property is fenced in with convenient gates. The studio apartment is a wing of the main house, though private. We are on 1/3 acre with our own well – the water is tested periodically.
A long baseboard water electric heater (powered by a gas furnace inside
in the main house) heats the apartment. There is an overhead room
fan and trees that shade the building and keep the inside comfortable
in the summer. There is no air conditioner or swamp cooler in the
apartment. There is a swamp cooler in the main house,
however. One visitor, who had serious mold sensitivity and stayed
for a month, had an extensive test done in the apartment for mold
detection and reported that the results came back as mold free.
A router is available through our broadband for wireless Internet,
though the signal is not very strong. There is no T.V. or
telephone in the studio apartment. Should you plan to stay for a
month or longer, you may arrange for your own telephone service and
T.V. There is no cable or satellite dish on the property so T.V.
reception can be poor. A small radio is provided.
We have 2 friendly dogs, Jeepers and Puccini, who are good watchdogs and are
in a fenced area during the day away from the casita. They sleep
in the main house at night. They do not go into the casita except on
rare occasions.
Sorry, no pet visitors. Those who normally live with cats or have
stayed recently in a place with cats will not be able to stay here as
we are very sensitive to cat dander, as are many other guests.
Cleaning Services
We clean in between guests and do not include in the rates a cleaning service for daily, weekly, or monthly stays.
However, if you desire cleaning services, we are available to clean at a rate of $20 per hour.
What Next?
If, after reading the above, you are still interested, please call us at 505-753-2598.
FYI
Because of the overwhelming response we have had and the satisfaction
of our guests (who often never want to leave!) we are in the process of
building two additional EcoCasitas in the area, though these are
located in a more rural setting with exquisite hill top views.
One of the two will be totally wheelchair accessible. These should be
available in 2008.
