Black Mesa Bed Breakfast and Private Bath House Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. Nestled at the foot of the mesa on two acres 10 minutes south of the town of Ojo Caliente, Black Mesa Bed and Breakfast is a little oasis in the high desert. Tall cottonwoods rustle in the dry breezes and old apple, pear and peach trees bloom in the spring. A wide porch surrounds the BB, encouraging lounging in the hammock to watch a sunset or in one of the low slung chairs to watch the birds. In the winter, grab a blanket from the banister and light the chiminea. In the spring, have breakfast in the gazebo shaded by the Virginia Creeper vines. Lara Fitzgerald and Randall Harris offer relaxed, personalized service. The BB reflects their varied interests in eclectic and graceful style. The library, a very comfortable, informal room, boasts over 2000 titles, all of them of interest to one or both of the proprietors. Topics range from ancient and modern history, the metaphysical, mystery series, fine novels and both fun and serious non-fiction. Randall's office boasts artifacts and photographs from the 1800s as well as autographed albums of recording artists he worked with as a lawyer on Music Row. He grew up in Los Angeles and offers his guests a unique added attraction - live and rare concert recordings. He'll gladly make you a copy of a rare find of a favorite band. Lara makes her guests feel special and pampered. Breakfast is at your leisure. She accommodates food preferences and allergies when possible and is fluent in vegetarian (including vegan) cooking as well as regular breakfasts. Coffee and muffins start about 7:30 but there's no hurry to sit down to breakfast. Instead, take a mug of coffee and wander through the place, sit on the porch or soak in the natural springs hot pool. When you do decide to gather at the table, know that it will be set with starched napkins and family heirlooms. That doesn't mean you can't come down barefoot or in your robe! This is about being comfortable and at home.. The natural spring hot pool on the property is in a round adobe building (they said it couldn't be done! says Randall). It has been described as a Roman pool or a Japanese bathhouse but it is uniquely New Mexican. Guests have their own key and can enjoy it 24 hours a day. It is wonderful by candlelight and Lara furnishes festive (plastic) goblets if you want to have wine while you soak. Rooms at the BB have their own baths with showers, so the natural spring bathhouse is purely for enjoyment. Massages are available at Black Mesa and are wonderful on the private balcony or in the sunroom surrounded by tropical plants. In the winter, it's even nice to have a massage in Randall's office right by the wood stove. Then retire to your room for a glass of sherry (there's a decanter in your room) and a little nap before perusing the menus of nearby restaurants for dinner. You can even ask Lara to give you a wake up tap on the door in a couple of hours

Lara's FAVORITE Things. Oh, the food, the food, the food... Yvonne, Albuquerque, NM. Some of you have probably figured out that I love to cook. For several years now I've been saying that I'm working on a cookbook. Well, I am! The difficulty for me has been committing to one version of any recipe. Discovery of a new spice mix, a certain flour or grain (teff is my new favorite) sends me off on a new wave of experimentation with old and new recipes. How to best convey that in a cookbook? Do I pick one version of the recipe or share all its incarnations? Good cooking is alchemy. Something arises that is greater than the sum of its parts. Hey, that sounds pretty good! Ill probably put THAT in the cookbook! If any of you have any suggestions about my best approach to finally get the cookbook moving, please email me! Other favorite things: setting a beautiful, interesting table and planning events. Three seasons (all but Winter) are great for parties on the porch. And in Winter, our dining room with a fire in the wood stove is a great place to gather. Dinners for 25 served by my biker waiter (some of you know who I'm talking about) have been a great success. Think of us for your special events. We'll plan an event to remember here at Black Mesa. I love birthdays and weddings, informal fun days, formal candlelit nights. I love people at the piano or sitting on the porch. Many of you may not know but I planned events in Nashville. My company, Outrageous Parties, was the company to go to for fabulous affairs. Now, I'm here in Ojo Caliente and I want you to join me here for your special event. Whether it's champagne breakfast in bed for the two of you or dinner for 25 to 30, I love to make magic here at Black Mesa. About the grain teff: Teff is a fine grain about the size of a poppy seed (I believe it's actually the smallest grain in the world). Teff is very hardy. It can withstand drought and hot weather better than wheat and has sustained Ethiopian cultures for thousands of years. Milled teff flour gives an almost chocolate flavor to baked goods. I've used the flour in pancakes, coffee cakes, and muffins. I've used the grain in these biscuits and it gives a wonderful nuttiness to them and a little crunch. For more interesting facts about teff, take a look at: www.teffco.com/teff_history.html. You can also buy teff and teff flour from this site. Spelt Buttermilk Biscuits with Teff Grain. 1 cup unbleached white flour 1 cup spelt flour 1/2 cup teff (the grain) 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1/2 cup vegetable oil (one with a subtle flavor: safflower, canola are good ones) 1 to 2 cups buttermilk 1/2 to 1 cup flower for rolling out. Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium size mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and pour in vegetable oil and about a cup of buttermilk. Stir to blend. If you need more buttermilk to make a wet dough, add more. Sprinkle rolling surface with about 1/2 cup of the additional flour. Scrape dough onto flour. Sprinkle dough with a little more flour. Knead dough a few times (do not over knead), turning on floured surface until dough is just dry enough to roll out and cut with biscuit center.

What people are saying about Black Mesa Bed Breakfast. Many thanks for this wonderful place. Gary, Albuquerque, NM. It's a sure bet that I will return. Desiree, Colorado. You have created such a beautiful sanctuary in this magical place. Maria, Austin, Tx. The surroundings and food were exceptional. Bryan and Judy, Fayetteville, TN. We could not have chosen a better place for our short but sweet honeymoon. It was like coming home to good friends. S.C., Albuquerque, NM. Not only do we want to come back, we NEED to come back. The energy is a healing one. ML, Colorado Springs, CO. In our travels in the southwest, this was truly the standout experience. Your warm hospitality is such a comfort for the traveler. Larry Ruth, Leipers Fork, TN. Thank you so very much for the wonderful food, laughs, conversation, coffee and everything else. I think now we can go face the day to day realities just a little more relaxed and with happy memories to carry us through 'till we can get back here! Lynn and Sara, Albuquerque, NM. The meals were fantastic!! What a beautiful oasis - how proud you must be of your endeavors. We look forward to oru next visit. Mike Betsy, Colorado. Thank you so much for the wonderful respite. I will never forget it. I will see you again. Peg G., Brooklyn, NY. The two of you are now on my list of Treasures of Northern New Mexico. I will come back soon - and again. Liz, Colorado. Your place is a true paradise in New Mexico. Everything was perfect to the smallest details and the ambiance was extremely relaxing. Nick Lydie, Albuquerque, NM. We will spread the word of your special, wondrous place! Paige, Boulder, CO. Your place here is so lovely. Thanks again and again, my third time through Ojo Caliente and the BB. you guys rock! Can't wait to get backexcellent birding! Andy Courtney, Nashville, TN. We found Black Mesa to be an exceptional BB, more like home than a guest room...All of the little extras really have made this our most enjoyable BB experience. Mikel, Albuquerque, NM. I'd like to say that we found the gem of Ojo! You made it very easy to relax and forget about everyday chaos. Lela Parker, Albuquerque, NM. We've already begun telling friends and relatives that this is THE BB to go to in this area. Tupper Linda, Albuquerque, NM. Endless thanks for a wonderful stay! Thank you for going out of your way to make us comfortable...for all of the little extras that make your BB so welcoming and relaxing. This was once again a simply enchanting visitThe beginning of our 29th wedding anniversary was made perfect with out stay hereThis place will always be a part of our wonderful times together. ML, Del Norte, CO. We needed a getaway so badly and you had everything we wished for and more. Tasha Thane, Albuquerque, NM

Enjoy the pleasures of Northern New Mexico An Intimate Natural Setting Great Gourmet Cuisine. 10 minutes from mineral springs 1 hour from Santa Fe or Taos Private Bath House. Call or email for Reservations 505-583-2545 lara@blackmesabnb.com. Click on the thumb nail to see a larger, more detailed version of the photo preview

 Guest rooms have air conditioning
 Breakfast may be served in the room
 Clothes dry cleaning
 Credit cards accepted
 Dinner may be served in the room
 Facsimile services
 Games room
 Hairdryer
 Heating
 Ironing facilities
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Pets are accepted
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Quiet surroundings
 Fridge
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Solarium
 Tea and coffee making facilities
 Phone at reception
 Patio, summer terrace
 Common room with a TV set