Alternative Energy House near Taos, New Mexico

Tres Orejas, New Mexico

travelinguy — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:01:03 +0000

Buddhist Stupa, Tres Orejas, New Mexico ©John Lamkin

Here’s a piece I wrote about Tres Orejas awhile back:
http://john-lamkin.suite101.com/tres-orejas-new-mexicooff-the-beaten-track-a138050
The Casa is still for sale FSBO.

Casa Juan Galan Video

travelinguy — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:33:13 +0000

Video of Alternative Energy House near Taos, New Mexico. Probably more entertainment than information. The Casa is still for sale, FSBO.

Casa Update

travelinguy — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:12:33 +0000

Casa Juan Galan, Alternative Energy House Near Taos, New Mexico

The Casa is still for sale. Not much of the finishing work I mentioned before has been done. I will be doing it little by little as funds and energy are available. As I mentioned earlier, if someone were to buy the house now there would be about $4K of work left to do.

PS, We may be looking for a dog (& house) sitter for Kona again this winter. I should know by the first part of Nov.

Other Houses I’ve Known – Alternative Energy or Not

travelinguy — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:18:17 +0000

My Dream House

by John Lamkin

Casa Estrella de Bacalar, Laguna Bacalar, Mexico

Sitting here watching the sunrise on the lagoon—Laguna Bacalar–I recall the time we arrived by canoe at the little cove here and decided that this would be an excellent spot to build a house. It was covered with scrub growth, weeds, some trees, coconut palms and the jungle was trying to reclaim it. Now, looking from the terraza of the house, it looks manicured, with lawns, flowers, intentional landscaping and the jungle held at bay. We had the house built by a Mexican architect friend with the unlikely name, Shiva. It’s small, sets back about twenty meters from the water and has views of the Laguna from every room except the large bathroom which has its own indoor garden. It took awhile to manifest after the canoe ride, some looking at other places in Mexico, but it happened. It helped that it was on part of the land we already owned.

Nova Scotia “Camp,” Moo the ox in front

It seems there comes a time in a man’s life when he has the strong urge to build, maybe something for ‘posterity’–to make his mark on the land. I found locations for two other homes in somewhat the same manner as the Laguna house. The first was what they called a ‘camp’ in Nova Scotia. Back in California, where I came from, it would be called a cabin. I bought the 149 acres sight unseen. I had always dreamed of having a place, tucked away in the woods, surrounded by tall trees. After traveling to Nova Scotia and a long, adventurous canoe ride up the Barrington River, I located my land. Walking around it, I decided “tucked away in the woods” would be rather dark and not for me, so it ended up on a knoll of tundra-type vegetation, overlooking the woods on all sides, the river below and the river branch behind (at least the small hillock that rose behind the branch). I hauled materials in the six miles from town by ox cart and built the ‘camp’ without power tools. When I left Nova Scotia, I sold it to a neurosurgeon from Maine that wanted to escape the “rat race.”

Casa Juan Galan, Tres Orejas, Taos County, New Mexico – Rainy Day

The next cabin location I found in New Mexico, outside of Taos—across the Rio Grande. With a map in hand and friend that knew the land, I walked around, came to a high, sagebrush covered knoll with a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains. To the east was the crack in the ground that was the Rio Grande Gorge and beyond that Taos, Taos Indian Pueblo and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. “This is it!” I said. I checked the map, went to the court house and found the owner of the piece who lived in nearby Ranchos de Taos and bought it—1/4 acre. I still have the land and the ‘cabin’ that I built little-by-little over twenty some odd years. It’s beautiful now, surrounded by trees and greenery—still has that 360 degree view. The house, Casa Juan Galan, has its own web page.

At this age will I still search out new locations for my dream house and start again?

Reprinted from Travel Writing & Photography Blog.

Spring Again in Tres Orejas, New Mexico

travelinguy — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:47:33 +0000

Spring Cactus in Front Yard of Casa Juan Galan, Alternative Energy House

It’s spring again in Tres Orejas and the cactus is blooming. The house is still for sale.

Some people have asked questions lately and I’ll try to answer here.

Can you keep animals? Yes, although for large animals such as horses, llamas, etc, there isn’t any grazing grass and you might have to bring in extra water.

Can you drill a well? It would be very restrictive in terms of cost. If you need extra water (beyond rain & snow collection), there are people that will truck it in to you for a nominal price. There is also a community, membership well nearby.

Is there owner finance? Almost no. If someone is a little short of the full price, We can negotiate a loan.

Happy spring! (almost summer),

John (AKA Juan) The email on the website isn’t working right now. You can email me at johnlamkin (at) gmail (dot) com.

Get away from it all * Live & work off the grid * Alternative Energy Home for Sale

travelinguy — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 02:56:26 +0000

Flower - Winter, Casa Juan Galan - Sustainable Energy Home - Near Taos, New Mexico FSBO

Would you like to:

* “Get away from it all”

* Live & work off the grid

* Send a signal to the big energy conglomerates

* Have nature in your own backyard

consider:

Casa Juan Galan- a beautiful, small (one-bedroom), green solar-home.

Operates on sustainable energy: passive solar heating,
off-grid electrical system with solar panels (photovoltaic) & wind generator electricity.

It’s an energy efficient, energy independent home.

Rain and snow water harvesting-catchment system provides water
(about 4500 gallons of storage).

It is located in Tres Orejas, a small off-grid community one-half hour west of Taos, New Mexico.
Situated on 3/4 acre of desert oasis with outstanding 360° panoramic views of the Sangre de Christo (Rocky Mountains) and Picuris mountain to the east and southeast, with BLM National Forest to the west.

A solar haven with High-Speed Internet, Internet Phone and good Cellular reception available.

A great recession-proof, real estate deal!
For sale by owner
Asking: $115,000

A few details about Casa Juan Galan – Solar – Wind Energy Home near Taos, New Mexico

travelinguy — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 03:46:25 +0000

In response to questions I’ve been asked, here are some details about Casa Juan Galan – Alternative Energy Home.

A few details about Casa Juan Galan:

The altitude is 7200 feet.

Some firewood comes with the property. It’s easy to have firewood delivered. The wood stove could be replaced with propane, if so desired.

The roof rain & snow water collection system provides enough water except in drought years. The storage tanks hold about 4500 gallons. There are people who will bring a truck load of water (not sure of the present price). On the way into town there is a community membership well where pure water can be purchases inexpensively. Drilling a well would have to be very deep, therefor expensive.

Shopping, medical, movies, restaurants, etc. are in Taos–about a 25-30 min. drive.

The property is rural. Animals are allowed. No covenants or that type of thing.

The neighbors are not real close, but close enough to walk to. Most are very nice people–all ages, from 70′s to 20-30′s.

The ‘tract’ was subdivided into 1/4 acre ‘city’ lots. Owners live all over the country. The house is on one of 3, 1/4 acre contiguous lots (3/4 acres total). One person in California owns 1-1/4 acres (5 lots) contiguous to my 3/4. He has no plans to build and might be convinced to sell (or trade).

The state of the Casa currently is:

Some final connections need to be made to gas and plumbing. And a little finish work to cabinetry, etc.

My estimate of work to be done (if the buyer isn’t a handyman/woman) is about $4,000.

I will continue to do work as money is available until the property is sold, raising the price accordingly.

Backyard Summer – Alternative energy home near Taos NM

Spring is here and Casa Juan Galan is still for sale

travelinguy — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:29:59 +0000

Silverlace Vine & Wind Gererator

OFF GRID SOLAR AND WIND POWER HOUSE …. thirty minutes north of Taos, New Mexico with stunning 360 degree view of mountains…GREAT DEAL!

House & Dog Sitter Found – Casa is Still For Sale

travelinguy — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:42:15 +0000

Backyard with Fall Colors

Sue will be house/dog sitting until spring. The house is still for sale.

Please give us enough advance notice if you want to see the house.

Thanks, Juan (AKA John)

Looking for a house, plant, dog sitter

travelinguy — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 02:00:54 +0000

Kona in Winter - Tres Orejas

Thanks to all the people that responded! I have found someone to take care of Kona and the Casa.

John

GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OFF GRID HOUSE TRADE…. thirty minutes north of Taos, New Mexico with stunning 360 degree view of mountains

I’m looking for a dependable, honest and caring person to take care of the house and plants (once a week watering) while I’m traveling. The other responsibility is for my very mellow indoor dog, Kona, 17 years old. For this service, I’m offering this small, charming off-grid, alternative energy house free of rent as a trade.

I need someone from around Thanksgiving or Christmas through April 15th of 2011, but can extend it somewhat it in either or both directions.

The person needs to be a nonsmoker and not use perfumes and fragrances in the house.

This is a great opportunity to experience rural, off grid living,

Auto necessary — 4-wheel drive great, but front-wheel drive will do. I use an old Ford Taurus all winter.

Kona in Winter 2

Kona in Winter 3

Kona in Snow