Austin Trip – Several Sustainable Stops
Sustainable Stops: (1) Agave Community, (2) Chestnut Plaza, and (3) Chestnut Commons Community
After my scheduled stops, I drove around east Austin and came across a couple of other note-worthy sites. The first was a modern housing community development called, Agave, which consisted of eclectic, pastel colored houses of various shapes and sizes in this planned community!
Below is the Agave housing development sign at the bottom of the hill as you drive up into the community!
Austin Trip – Roots Cooperative
Roots Cooperative
My final stop of the day was at the Roots Cooperative in Austin, Texas, for their open house and ‘meet and greet’ for those interested in upcoming available rooms.
“We are one of the 8 community cooperative here in Austin Texas. Our focus is on environmental sustainability and community building. We are governed through consensus process and highly value communication. Roots was founded by 10 activists out of the Occupy movement and takes a strong political and social stance for equality by gaining awareness of societal generated oppression and creating a new standard for non-hierarchical relationships.” – Fellowship of Intentional Communities Webpage
This is a view of the rental house turned underground cohousing community, which includes a couple of trailers for additional housing space. It’s tucked into an older neighborhood that is slowly being updated and gentrified with newer homes — a consistent trend in Austin.
Eco-Road Trip – Valverde Commons
Valverde Commons Community – Summary:
- Who: James Ludden
- What: Visited the Valverde Commons Community
- When: Monday, April 9
- Where: Taos, NM
Quick Resources:
My Route:
Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post
My Travel Story:
After the The Greater World Earthship Community, I traveled to the other side of Taos to visit Valverde Commons.
“Valverde Commons was conceived as an active adult CoHousing community in 2006 and developed from pastureland starting in 2011. Currently there are 22 energy efficient houses with 6 additional ones expected by 2023. Thirty four people live in the community as of 2018. The community is located in the heart of Taos, New Mexico and a short walk from the historic Taos Plaza.
The individual homes are clustered on 10 acres surrounding an almost 4 acre common green space, plus an adjacent 10 acre park with walking paths and gardens.
Our beautiful common house has a full kitchen, large meeting room, library, and laundry facilities. It is frequently used for group dining, parties, meetings, classes, and entertainment. The common house has rooftop solar energy to promote sustainability. We also have a barn building for communal garden tools, tractor, and garden carts. The barn also includes a complete professional wood working shop and other studio facilities.” – Valverde Commons FIC Profile (more…)
Eco-Road Trip – City of the Sun Pt. 2
City of the Sun Pt. 2 – Summary:
- Who: Sheila Bjeletich
- What: Toured the City of the Sun in Columbus and met other residents; Drove to northern New Mexico through various cities; Arrived at The Commons on the Alameda
- When: Sunday, April 8
- Where: Columbus, NM; Hatch, NM; Santa Fe, NM
Quick Resources:
- City of the Sun FIC Profile
- City of the Sun Facebook Page
- Columbus New Mexico Webpage – COS Articles
- City of Hatch Webpage
- Rio Salado Sand Dunes Webpage
- The Commons on Alameda Webpage
My Route:
Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post
My Travel Story:
The following morning in the City of the Sun, I woke up to the sounds of dozens of dove cooing above me, and flocks of desert quail running around under my hammock and in the gardens. So it was an interesting morning alarm.
We started the morning touring one of her neighbor’s homes, which was a round hand-built building, with a mermaid themed bathroom that was undergoing repairs because a storm and water damaged knocked down part of the wall.
Eco-Road Trip – The Commons on the Alameda
The Commons on the Alameda – Summary:
- Who: Louise Pape
- What: Met my interim hostess, and explored The Commons on the Alameda
- When: Sunday, April 8
- Where: Santa Fe, NM
Quick Resources:
- The Commons on the Alameda Webpage
- The Commons on the Alameda Facebook Page
- The Commons on the Alameda Cohousing Profile
My Route:
Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post
My Travel Story:
After a long day of driving from the City of the Sun, I finally made it to the Commons on the Alameda late that afternoon.
Eco-Road Trip – Manzanita Village Cohousing
Manzanita Village Cohousing & Sunset Drive – Summary:
- Who: Art Gorski
- What: Visited Manzanita Village Cohousing; Drove to Prescott to see the Ecosa Institute; Drove back to Mountain Shadow Resort
- When: Wednesday, April 4
- Where: Prescott, AZ; Scottsdale, AZ
Quick Resources:
- Manzanita Village Cohousing Webpage
- Manzanita Village Cohousing Facebook Page
- Ecosa Institute Webpage
- Ecosa Institute Facebook Page
My Route:
Planning my Eco-Inspired Road Trip Blog Post
My Travel Story:
My third and final scheduled stop after Arcosanti was Manzanita Village in Prescott, Arizona.
I met my host, Art Gorski, at the main parking lot, and we went down to the main lodge in the center of the housing complex.
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