World's Nest - Sand in Our Hair

World's Nest - Sand in Our Hair

Photos by Richard R. Barron

On several trips though the enchantment of northern New Mexico, we have observed a community of homes northwest of Taos that appeared similar to the "Earthship" houses that we read about for years in magazines like Mother Earth News. One, near the highway, seemed to be growing over the years, and on this trip, our curiosity got the best of us, so we stopped. Not knowing what to expect, we were greeted by Charles Shults, who, much to our surprise, gave us an hour-long tour. The goal of the community is to live "off the grid" and consume as little as possible, by means of solar energy, wind power, biofuels, recycling, and intelligent efficiency. Shults told us that the house started as an "Earthship" many years ago, but had since evolved, utilizing newer, better technology.

Their website contains huge amounts of information, but reads a little bit like a bottle of Doctor Bronner's soap.