Gentlemen. I started and made this thread because I'd like to share something with you. This year, I'm going to start a project that represents something significant in my life. I'm going to be the owner of a big section of land soon, 130 acres to be exact, and I'm going to build my home on it, or I'd like to start and try this year.
So, this thread is going to be a bit of a journal as I post updates and musings on what I'm going to be doing throughout the year, and it's going to be something I'd like to share with you all.
Part of this will be fun, and, on occassion, mildly informative. So, without delay, I'm going to take you folks on a field trip picture by picture with me, free of charge, and walk you through the area that I'm going to call my home and my life in the years to come. Starting now, on Monday, Janurary 19th, 2015, is a chapter of my life that I'd like to share with you all. So, let's begin.
Ride starts here.
From the entrance to the property, this is the east side. The fence you see running along there is part of the property. That's the farming field that's been rented off to nearby farmers and used as a source of income for the property.
This is from the west side.
This is from the south side. As you can see. No fucking neighbors.
And this right here gentlemen, is facing north. The driveway and entrance to this nice little patch of home.
As you roll in through the driveway on the left is this house. This house is a project I've undertaken in little bits and pieces of time and helped my Uncle with. This house that we're working on is going to be my mother's retirement home.
If you push a little further along, this is the backyard to the old house. Although it's all under snow, the majority of that free space is a garden.
So if we push along north here on the other side of the garden, you get the old barn here, which as weathered as it looks, is still impressively intact inside. That barn was built a good solid 60-70 years ago. They don't build stuff like that anymore.
Speaking of they don't build these things anymore. Say hello to my Uncle's still functioning Mercury from the 30's or 40's.
Another with the barn. Beside is another handy area used for critters at some point.
More barn area.
If we push further along north here past the barn we get into this area.
Pushing north further now.
A little farther north, if you look to your right, you get another patch of forest. Nice thick stuff too.
Turning around on the trail you get a view of the main homestead.
End of the fence here folks. Now we're pushing along into free homestead territory and something special that I'll show you in a bit.
Further along north here. It's all just bush and young growth. This place was originally a rocky field but it was decided at some point to just let stuff grow. I swept the camera along so this is a continuation of the first picture above.
End of the camera sweep and from here on out we're pushing north-west. We're going to be running along something soon that makes this property very, very special.
Further along north-west, we get my home site. The trees in the left corner of the picture that you see is going to be my home site. Those patch of trees in the middle ground are actually a corner so my home will rest at a bit of an angle to recieve the best possible sunlight exposure in the winter.
And now I show you what makes this property so special. On the corner of the trees behind my home, if you turn and look, you get this. This, my friends, is a lake.
Out of the trees and along the lake side, we're at the very corner of that patch of trees I told you I was going to build my house. This is what lays beyond my corner further north-west.
If we round the little corner of my home site, out westwards is a stream that runs from the lake to a lower marshy area on the property. The space between the trees there is a beaver dam and beyond that is the farming field I mentioned earlier.
The marshy swamp area.
Along the lake here, and now heading west.
In the lake.
At what appears to be the beaver dam which is completely buried under snow and ice at this point. There's a hell of a lot of trees sticking out from under the snow and this is a low spot in the land so I assume this is the only place they'd build a dam.
Turning around now and going back home from the beaver dam.
On the way back home, looking at the farther northern area of the property as I'm still alongside the lake treeline.
Back at the corner of my home site. I plan to plant a sturdier treeline here eventually.
Back home now.
And now for the educational bit. For you young folks like me, assuming you cord firewood or you might sometime in your future, and for you old folks who've been doing it wrong all these years, this is how you properly cord your firewood.
And this last part that I can't help but mention. This was some enginuity that me and my Uncle put together. That white tank in the back is the water heater for the house. It's brand new and recently installed, and it makes scorching hot water. Too hot in fact.
So what we did, with a bit of planning, we routed a pressure release system that vents the excess heat from the water heater into the wood stove there, effectively warming the house even if you don't have a fire. In an emergency, this could be used as a substitute for having no firewood.
And that, gentlemen, is the end of the tour. In the coming months when the spring thaw hits, I'll have my strength back and then I'll really get rolling along with this. So until then.
I tip my hat you.
EditFor any that are curious, my house is going to be a little different.
That, is going to be my house. The structure I'm building will be a form of protection for the motorhome AKA "The Snail." It'll be a shed with a large door on the front so that the motorhome can roll out of it to travel if I ever decide to go for a trip.
The shed itself will be build approximately six inches away from the motorhome on all sides that there's room to park but enough space to trap heat. Windows will be set up alongside the the exact same position as the motor home's and effectively act as double paned windows.
I also have plans for the interior of the motorhome as well but for now the exterior protection is most important.
Edit: Rough estimate for majority of materials so far is give or take, 1500-1700 dollars.
Edit: Decided to put the bulk of the project on hold. But will make the protective roof covering, and build it so that it can be dissassembled for later when the house itself goes up.
House Project Thread: Change of Plans