Solar Living Emerson Brook Forest 2

Writers, artists, musicians, naturalists, social and environmental activists, families, students, travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and people needing a respite from the buzz and hustle of life will enjoy the peace and wonder of this solar homestead in the lush Emerson Brook Forest. As of August 1st, 2021, due to an uptick of COVID cases and for the safety of all, (including my 2 year old grandson who spends weekdays with me) my house policy requires guests to confirm they are vaccinated. About Solar Living in the Emerson Brook Forest: Beginning in 2011, once the last of my three children moved away, I decided to share this spacious homestead with others through AirBnB. Oriented for southern exposure, my "off grid" battery-based solar electric homestead had its beginnings in 1981. In addition to being an AirBnB host, I co-own and work at Green Energy Options Solar Store in Keene, a local resource for energy conservation education, independent power systems and energy efficient appliances and heating. My home, located 12 miles from the vibrant city of Keene, is a bit of a showcase for this business and my nature-based philosophy. Currently, due to COVID precautions, I am only listing two bedrooms each with a queen-sized bed. Other rooms may be available to registered guests upon request. Each of the rooms have special qualities and I continuously get compliments on all of the beds. On occasion, when needed and possible, I offer my second floor master bedroom with an adjacent living room. This space does not have it’s own bathroom but provides a sense of privacy and accommodates up to four people. This home has a wheelchair accessible ramp to the main floor bedrooms and bath as well as a separate entrance to our ground level living space, which includes an accessible shower. While not certified accessible, I welcome inquiries from those who might be able to enjoy a stay approaching inclusive. In addition to comfy bedrooms, guest have access to a sunroom with a Kawai piano, an ground-level den with a woodstove, hammock and couch; 2 shared bathrooms (one with a shower the other a bathtub), a living room as well as south and north facing porches. Two bathrooms offer on-demand heated water for shower or bath. An open-concept kitchen faces birdfeeders, a fruit orchard and perennial gardens. I invite people to bring partially prepared simple meals. I have a small refrigerator that I’m happy to share. For people who are interested in making full use of the kitchen, I ask a $10 use fee and have the expectation that clean up will happen once your meal has ended. Andre, my chocolate lab is just about the sweetest dog ever. If he has any flaws, it’s that he’s overly thrilled (for about one minute) to see every new face. My other pup, a rescue from down south, Willa is quite reserved but enjoys being around people. I have two cats, Maude and Daenerys who are completely domesticated but exclusively outdoor cats. They help me keep our space mouse free. They eat and sleep in the confines of our back porch where they are safe from their natural predators. Help us keep my promise to cat allergic guests by not intentionally or unintentionally inviting them in. For the well-being of, and out of respect for our resident animals, I am unable to host our guest's companion animals. In addition to our comfy bedrooms, we have a sun room, a ground level den with a woodstove, hammock and couch; 2 shared bathrooms (one with a shower the other a bathtub), a living room with piano, as well as south and north facing porches. Two bathrooms offer on-demand heated water for shower or bath. Our open-concept kitchen faces bird feeders in the winter, a fruit orchard and perennial gardens. A note about accessing our house in the winter—depending on the weather, road conditions and vehicle, traction our road can be challenge, especially for city cars and for drivers who are not use to driving in rural winter conditions. I am, when available, happy to shuttle people to and from their cars the .2 (two tenths) of a mile up to the house. When there is snow or ice on the road, guests without 4 wheel drive vehicles are encouraged accept a shuttle ride in at least for the first night time arrival. As documented by my reviews, I thoroughly enjoy the social aspects of hosting. I see every guest who enters my home as a gift. I love learning about the world through other people’s eyes. We live in the beloved Emerson Brook Forest. It’s a refuge from the fast pace world, a place to unwind, and reconnect to the natural world. Our home is adjacent to miles of surrounding woodland trails suitable for hiking, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, mountain biking, swimming and exploring. The immediate neighborhood includes The Sustainability Project’s Emerson Brook Forest Nature Center, which features wheelchair accessible trails and edible forest gardens. We are an easy drive to several public recreational areas including Pitcher Mountain (great blueberry picking from July through August) and beautiful Mount Monadnock (reputed to be the second most climbed mountain in the world, after Mount Fuji in Japan.) Mole Hill Theater which hosts live music and theater is a seven-minute drive away. Nearby Keene is home to Keene State College (and the Redfern Art Center and Thorne Sagendorf Art Gallery) and Antioch University, the Colonial Theater, several recreation parks and nearly 90 restaurants from which to choose. The Keene Music Festival, hosting more than 90 bands of all persuasions, takes place annually on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. While there is no public transportation between Gilsum and Keene, I am willing, when available, to pick up and drop off our guests travelling by bus, train and airplane for a fee of .50 per mile including driving miles before and after pick up and drop off. Please read our House Rules which contain some repeated information as well as more detailed information. This little note is for absolute dog lovers. Andre loves hiking leash-less, up the hill, deeper into the forest. (We never take him down the road toward the state highway and cars). About 1/4th of a mile up the hill there is a large clearing with a beautiful pond. Andre is a fetcher, swimmer. If you would like him to accompany you up the hill, let us know and we'll give you more information.