(cont.) A large east facing portal has a built in fireplace for BBQ and a handcrafted bench and table for outdoor dining with spectacular views of the mountains of the Sangre de Cristo and the Santa Fe National Forest. Also, there is a separate bathhouse with sauna, shower and sleeping bench in a serene resting room. This separate building offers a south facing terrace with lounge chairs. This home is located on 20 private acres bordering state land. Indian ruins are within walking distance. Do not forget to hike along the ancient arroyo to the Chama River. Wildlife can be seen from the huge windows, which lend this home passive solar heat. Built on several levels this architectural home has beautiful fenestration which encompasses views from every angle.

Close by are the old Abiquiu pueblo, the non-excavated ruins of Poshuouinge, plus San Juan, Santa Clara and San Ildelfonso Pueblos. Not to be missed are the Piedra Lumbre basin, Ghost Ranch where Georgia O'Keeffe had her studio, Christ in the Desert Monastery and Abiquiu Lake . Colorful mesas give way to high mountains with Alpine meadows.

From late March through November the Georgia O'Keeffe house in Abiquiu is open for guided tours. Santa Fe and Taos are nearby for day trips. So are Chaco Canyon, Chama, Pagosa Springs in Colorado, Los Alamos and the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs.

You might want to come out when the cottonwood trees turn yellow and orange during the annual Abiquiu Studio Tour (Columbus Day Weekend) in October, or one week later for the El Rito Studio Tour. Winter in New Mexico is as sensational as summer.

Amenities: large living , 2 bedrooms (king and queen), 2 bathrooms (both full bath, one with walk in shower), den with day bed for 2 extra persons, fireplaces in living and master bedroom, CD player, radio, fully equipped gourmet kitchen incl. microwave and dishwasher, washer, dryer, separate hot water sauna building, 3 patios, patio dining with fireplace and grill, flat screen satellite TV, highspeed wireless internet, phone (please use a calling card for long distance), cell phones DO work here up on the mesa. No smoking please, pets are okay for $10/night.