For all you would be cabin builders here is a write-up on some features of our cabin and outbuildings. I myself am not a cabin builder so bare with me on some of the finer details. For more cabin life information see here or here for daily chores.
Outside
The cabin is a 16 x16 foot master piece. It is not a log cabin…though there are 3 main load bearing log beams that keep the roof up there. The walls and floor are 6×2” and very well insulated. There is board and baton siding, a deck and a dog house which matches.
We have 2 solar panels and 3 batteries in the system. The solar panels work alright considering our latitude. The batteries are the weak link. In order for the batteries to be most effective they need to be indoors and somewhat warm. Unfortunately they emit gases and chemicals that aren’t great to have in a small cabin. So they are outside and don’t store energy very well in the winter. We use headlamps a lot.
Inside
Inside, the wood stove is huge. It’s a Regency classic. Our main problem is making sure it doesn’t get too hot in the cabin. We live in Canada in the north so getting our own firewood isn’t an issue.
The fridge and stove are propane. We have 2, 100lb propane tanks that we alternate. Changing them is exciting, especially if you are me. There is a system.
Propane fridges aren’t a lot of fun. They are very expensive and do not self defrost. This means that if you ignore them glaciers will form in the back of the fridge and freezer and slowly envelop abandoned condiments.
The stove works well. It is small though. Also when changing the propane and turning on the pilot lights there is an extravagant yoga move required to re-light the main stove area pilot. You have to hold the knob down at the top of the stove while reaching to the back of the broil area and then light it at the bottom. I hate yoga.
We have 2 lofts. The big one has room for our queen sized bed that takes up most of the room. The sloping roof ensures you will bump your head on a regular basis. The mini loft holds Carl’s climbing gear. The cat likes to explore up there as well.
For years we just had ladder access to the loft. All of us have had at least one near death experience using this ladder. We have a set of stairs now. They are steep. It was tricky coming up with a plan so that the stairs didn’t take over the entire cabin. Underneath the stairs lives Carl’s pile of clothes. It slowly makes it’s way across the cabin floor when no one is looking.
Outbuildings
Outhouse
It’s about a 40 ft downhill run to the outhouse. It works well and I have no issues with using it. Sometimes when it’s -35 and I’m making the trek down there in the middle of the night I wonder what has gone wrong in my life. But really, it’s so ridiculous that it’s pretty funny.
Shower
Some exciting things are happening to our shower. Up until now it was an outbuilding and only 3-season. As soon as the temperatures got below freezing, it was done. Here is the video.
Now, it’s still an outbuilding but it has a wood stove attached. Get that stove rocking, bring in your water jug and hook it up to the pump and on-demand propane heater. It is a process but it works well.
The actual shower unit was abandoned in the bushes not far from where we live. Carl grabbed it and cleaned it all up.
Cook Shelter and Cook Stove
A friend of ours gave us an old cook stove from the 1950’s taken from a collapsed trap cabin. What’s a cook stove? Carl decided to build a little shelter for it so it could be used outside. Anyway the construction process got out of control and we ended up with a really cool looking building. The stove has a pretty accurate thermometer on it and we’ve cooked everything from bread to roasts to pizza.
Shed
We have a little shed that Carl also built. A giant deck with fuel storage and a work area are currently getting installed. See video…
Sea Can
If we didn’t do any sports or activities or hobbies this would probably not be required. Instead it houses all the bikes and ski’s. There is gear for climbing, canoeing, camping, bike touring, etc. You get the point.
Campfire Area
I really like our fire pit area. It reminds me of the Flintstones. Carl hauled in giant rocks that surround the pit. He also welded up a grate for cooking over the fire. It’s pretty unique. It’s a big area with lots of places to sit. We use it year round.
Conclusions:
- Cabin living encompasses more that just the cabin.
- There is a lot of old technology here that still works well today.
- The cat made it into a lot of inside cabin photos.
- Outbuildings are key.
