Discover the magic of our mountain top as part of our progressive community in Vermont, USA

Details

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  Description

  We are a dad & sometimes daughter (18! ;), living on a 60 acre pinnacle with distant 360 degree views of both the Green Mountains AND the White Mountains. From sunrise to sunset we are enjoying ourselves and loving the land, with 25 miles of adjoining hiking/biking trails. There's generally a refreshing breeze here, but when it gets too warm we head down to our stream & spring fed pond, which is a piece of heaven -- deep and cool. If it gets too cold, we take a sauna! Our whole mountain is magical, with strong meridians, and located in a very artsy and forward thinking part of southern Vermont.
  
  And yes, there's a lot involved in being good land stewards (even though we're not a commercial farm), so we have many diverse projects, and you might assist in managing our extensive permaculture, low-till garden (or helping expand it, and our season), clearing brush, nurturing the flower beds, cutting or putting up firewood, doing art, music (or homework ;) with Luna, building a steam hut and other structures -- or tackling whatever else needs our attention, for 25 stimulating hours each week of healthy engagement with our bodies. If you have a penchant for organizing, or have a talent for on-line sales, our most recent mission is getting rid of "stuff" (we are rather "jumbled" here after 45 years in the same spot!) and while not complete Luddites, we'd welcome some 21st Century assistance. We're into communal living & learning, and have big plans for the future, which means that we all need to stay busy and chip in, whenever and wherever our attention is needed. Our outdoor Kitchen Pavilion is being christened, as is our glamping Tree House. We like to have a video chat with out prospective guests with Q&A to insure a compatible fit and also have a separate liability waiver form to sign. Let's communicate clearly to keep it real, and heal -- our planet, through ourselves.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Events & social

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Culture

  

  Self development

  

  Movies & TV

  

  Farming

  

  Charity work

  

  Animals

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  History

  

  Art & design

  

  Photography

  

  Languages

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Writing

  

  Carpentry

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Winter sports

  

  Mountain

  

  Beach

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Hiking
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are World-Travelers (just shy of 30 countries), and free-thinking liberals that seek mutually beneficial relationships and STRONG COMMUNICATION, which is paramount. Life's day to day aspects seem best addressed through our perpetual efforts toward mindfulness of each action we take, and the underlying acknowledgement of the brevity of our own spiritual journey -- between two mysteries. Let's make the time to help each other cherish the sacred in every moment that we are given. When you're not learning something about everything here, we hope that you'll be sharing your life experiences. Intellectual dialogue and practical hands-on knowledge covering a wide swath of people, places & things can provide a constant exchange of information and ideas. If we don't know something, we know someone who does, and we are actively engaged in our community. You're going to learn a lot about a lot -- and teach us, too, and we want guests to be enthusiast and active participants in whatever our tasks. Expect to be as fully engaged in the "Work" as much as the "Away" part of your experience . We are socially active and welcome you to join us in our adventures. You can also just kick back around the fire pit with some music, or in a hammock with an adult bev and take in star-lit nights that may blow your mind. We enjoy when our guests become our friends, and hope that they will return, which they often do.

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  Help

  There's lots of good healthy roll-up-your-sleeves farm-type work to be done daily, which is interspersed with a mix of less romantic rotating projects, but none too terribly arduous, and certainly not boring.
  
  We have a tractor & backhoe to help with heavy work, a pick-up truck, and just about every imaginable hand and power tool you've encountered -- and then some. You'll have the opportunity to use a few of them, or learn how, if you want.
  
  I have a PhD from the School of Hard Knocks, and am a willing teacher, so that you don't have to be a graduate, too. We'll work in tandem a good deal of the time, but there are certainly plenty of autonomous projects here that you can address on your own.
  
  We encourage self-starters and divergent points of view. At present we could use assistance gardening, cooking, moving firewood, finishing the sauna (w/ mural?!) & other structures, clearing out the barn, listing on CL/eBay/FB Marketplace, scraping/painting, maintenance & repair of buildings & equipment, mowing, cutting back brush, designing a steam hut and maybe a pizza oven, or solar hot water heater, and tutoring, teaching art & music, cursive, guitar, voice, piano, language, etc. to my 18 y.o. daughter, Luna, when she graces us with her presence. Or -- bringing your eyes & experience to approach something that you might envision here on the hill.
  
  Depending on interest, we sometimes do yoga, fast, cleanse, sauna, meditate, and discuss the numinal.
  
  
  ***There can sometimes be the opportunity for paid hours helping neighbors, after working your allotted 25 hours per week. This depends on your skill set and the time of year. Please inquire, if you might be interested. Sometimes guests will put in their time in 4 days, giving them 3 days off to work elsewhere, or explore New England.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Intermediate
  Spanish: Beginner
  Thai: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Languages are the keys to other cultures, and they bring us inside a world that we can't otherwise fully understand. Plus, they show appreciation, and an effort to reach out beyond our own threshold.
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  Accommodation

  We have enhanced spaces for you to create your own outdoor environment, and we also have several private woodsy dwellings of a more charming, traditional nature that will keep you cozy and dry. A stylin' larger abode with a separate upstairs Queen bedroom for two, has a wood stove, sink with counters & cabinets, and a mini-kitchen, so you could stay into the fall, (possibly through the winter.) Another is an insulated mini-cabin with a single bed and a tiny sink. It also has heat which could allow a visit through October or even November?) Then there's "The Nest", a one-room attached space with Queen bed, sink, kitchenette, and a sweet mountain view. All have electricity and use either a port-o-potty or outhouse, and have running or carry-in water. (The Main House bathroom is also available for showers, etc.) There are other intriguing living options as well, for couples or singles, and you might help build or finish some. Oh, and we just picked up a '65 Airstream that we'll be tuning up! You can tent it if you'd like, but we find that roofs come in awfully handy as we are in the bottom teardrop of the Northeast Rain Forest. We ask that you leave your quarters better than you found them, with the bed changed and totally prepared for our next guests. You are responsible for any damage done by you or your pets, so please be mindful. and forthright if something breaks ir goes awry.
  
  We can share some breakfasts and dinners together to relax & converse, and you'll also have access to supplies if you want to sometimes fix your own food as well. Lunch we often do on the fly. In season, the garden is generally pretty robust. We eat TONS of greens, as I was a complete vegebatarian for 17 years and a vegan for 1, and am quite handy in the kitchen, cooking to suit most (but not all) of your dietary preferences -- but enjoy eating other's culinary creations. We ask guests to volunteer to cook once a week. (Please be VERY specific about any & ALL restrictions/allergies, likes & dislikes, as communal cooking can be tricky.) We'd prefer lacto/ovo veggers -- or casual carnivores. G.F. & Vegans are a challenge. but not always impossible. Our 5-Star International cuisine tempts diners to seconds, and we welcome guest chefs any time. Your contribution with food prep & clean-up is an integral part of our meals together, so if you're not cooking -- please plan to wash the dishes (pots, sink, etc.) & clean up the whole kitchen. We're generally up and engaged from about 7:00am to 9:00pm, but try to eat breakfast by 8:00, and dinner usually around 7:00, keeping our afternoons free (but we're pretty flexy.) Our summer suppers runs a bit later, with the longer daylight hours. Guests are expected to pick up after themselves, and contribute in the ongoing daily cleaning and vacuuming of shared spaces. Days off can rotate between weekends to mid-week, depending on personal schedules and tourist traffic. Oh, and there's usually a passable cell signal and fiber-optic WiFi access from the central buildings and some of the others, which is pretty sweet in lil' ole Vermont. Whenever you need anything (ice cream, a hug, alone time), please don't hesitate to express yourself (that's how we got our 5 stars.) We are all about keeping everything up front, and sharing our needs and emotions -- maintaining harmony in diversification. It's not always heaven up here (just close), and nobody's perfect, but through open, clear communication, we keep the mo-jo runnin'. Things come up and circumstances change, but we all need to allow for the time required to plan ahead, so we ask for ONE AT LEAST A WEEK'S ADVANCED NOTICE for any adjustments to your arrival and departure dates. Relationships with flexibility and respect help remind us that we are all One.

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  What else ...

  We are near a lot of great spaces & places, which involves a drive in this part of the country, that is steeped in history and natural beauty. The "Fourteenth State" has always had traditional Yankee roots while being progressive and free-thinking, and that tradition carries on today. Brattleboro is about half an hour away (and quite the hip little berg, rated "Top Ten" in several categories) as is Keene, N.H., and there's a fair amount to do in both, culturally and practically. Putney and Bellows Falls (a 10-15 minute drive, for entertainment, movies, restaurants, laundry, hardware, etc,) are also happening, but on a smaller scale. We get out to hear local music, go to Gallery Walk, hitting other fun stuff that pops up (and there's enough), and have a strong social/tribal connection with many other families nearby. Public transportation is pretty sketchy in Vermont, but we go out almost daily and you might use a vehicle if you needed one to shop for whatever. And we have bikes of all sorts. We work hard, but we play hard. And we do "party", but at the right time, in the right place, believing in moderation of all things. And in joining our family, you may experience a little dad/daughter banter, so brace yourself for life with teenage visits ;0 Please write me if you have any questions or needs that might help you consider a visit to our gates.
  Aloha.
  
  ***** IF YOU RE-READ OUR BIO, YOU'LL GET EVEN MORE OUT OF IT THE SECOND TIME, AND HAVE A BETTER SENSE OF WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE TRY TO ACCOMPLISH, AND EXPECT FROM OUR GUESTS. (A LOT! ;). COMMUNAL LIVING NECESSITATES COMMUNAL PARTICIPATION ON ALL FRONTS. WE ASK EVERYONE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REQUIRED, OR ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE HAND FOR FURTHER CLARIFICATION. (You'll be asked to review all this again and sign off upon arrival.)
  And . . . COMMUNICATION is absolutely essential !!! You must be able to reply to texts (etc.) in a timely manner or you will be missing the most critical link in our relationship. Capesce? Bene! Let's rock 'n' roll. ;0

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We have fiber-optic and multiple access points, whether you are a casual or professional user.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a number of good spots that can offer views, power and water, as well as bathroom facilities.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Our Loving Airedale (#4) is sorely missed but we will be getting another soon. If you have a pooch, they absolutely must be non-aggressive, friendly, obedient, and garden savvy. No hard-core alphas, please. ;)

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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