New Guy

[desdawg]

I just got registered and wanted to say Hello. I have been reading threads and said to myself "Self, this is your kind of place." I have been building things for over 30 years and derive my greatest joy from making something out of nothing. I am an old scrounger and am currently reading Mike Oehler's Underground House book. There are some interesting concepts there. I have a 10 acre mountain property with lots of trees and hillside, a Cat 939 track loader, and a Husqvarna 394 chainsaw mounted up to an Alaskan Mill. Seems like a fit, but I am not sure how badly I want to live underground. Anyway I am doing some homework on the topic.

[Amanda_931]

Take a good long look at both Glenn's and the Montana Mountain places.  If you don't mind a house with different levels, and if you do your homework--not not not the first idea--not sure what he calls it--you can end up with a light-filled house with the roof vegetable-filled.  

and welcome

[glenn-k]

Welcome, desdawg.

You could make a small cabin and see how you like it.  Using Mikes ideas and your great resources, you wouldn't be out much to try it out.  If you don't like it you'll have a great goat shed.

[desdawg]

Actually I have been thinking....(the one thing you never want to hear me say is"I've been thinking").... about using some old power poles and beams that I already own to create a walkout basement using the PSP methodology and building something conventional on top. I haven't finished reading the entire underground book yet but so far that is what is on my mind. Pouring concrete in those mountains is pretty pricey and this may be a good alternative. I am not convinced that I want to live beneath the dirt yet. I have toyed with the cordwood idea but that is pretty labor intensive and I don't get to spend all that much time at that property. The trees I have are primarily Juniper and don't get too big so a full log home wouldn't be practical with native material. So I am still kicking around ideas, exploring ideas I never had before and looking for new information.
Now, where can I get a look at the two homes mentioned by Amanda?

[Amanda_931]

Glenn's garage is his latest project--can be found under "general" "owner builder projects"

Building a near free RV storage garage--9 pages with lots of pictures--don't "open all" unless you have broadband:

http://www.countryplans.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1138433261

And the house (21 pages in this topic.)

http://www.countryplans.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1107141843/301#301

One of Mountain man Mike's topics, talking here about visiting Mike Oehler.

http://www.countryplans.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1148975738

and his pictures

http://www.countryplans.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1148975738

And somewhere there's another thread of PSP construction.

I really hate the search function here.

[glenn-k]

Thanks, Amanda -- Motel internet DSL was down tonight for repairs.  Besides I worked til near 9 pm.  

[Amanda_931]

Your welcome.

and besides I started it by mentioning them.