This blog is about off the grid technologies, alternative building, shacks, shelters, shanties, camping and other things that interest me.
I live in Seattle, Washington, USA and like being outdoors and away from the city as much as possible. My friends and I share this attitude and a few years ago we bought some property in Washington State to get away from it all. The property is a few miles up a dirt road half way up a small mountain, far away from power lines and water service, somewhat remote just like we always wanted.
We are building a small 200 square foot cabin to replace our yurt that collapsed under the snow of a “30 year storm” in 2008. The cabin is a 10 year project that I suspect may never be done, but that’s half the fun. I didn’t know anything about building when we started and have been learning as I go with some help from friends, books and especially the internet. Still lots to learn but it’s great to be able to call my mistakes “rustic” 
.
We use rain water collected on the roof of our shed for washing water, solar panels provide the small amount of power we need for our weekend cabin. Currently we have 150 watts of solar power and one rain barrel with plans to use a 550 gallon tank high on the hill to provide more water pressure for showers and fire fighting ability.
Some future plans include a covered porch, wood-fired sauna in the woods, outdoor shower either solar or wood heated, a tree house for guests, and a camping spot to pitch a tent above the cabin on the hill.
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ok…I figured it out. Thanks.
Hi There Burrito, Just wanted to let you know that I added your website to my website. Cheers! Robin
Sweet, thanks!
Thanks for your blog. I will put it on http://www.mayapplestrawbale.blogspot.com
Thanks to LLoyd Kahn for telling us all about it!
Hey! Just wanted to give you a thumbs up! We’re doing a whole bunch of alternative building, material salvaging and yurt living on the Kitsap Peninsula and are always happy to find like-minded Washingtonians out there. Keep up the good work, love the blog!
What can you tell me about getting Kitsap permit approvals for a yurt as a primary home? I’m just now learning about yurts and wondering if this is a “do-able” for me. I’m thinking about Burley-Ollala area. Thx 4 any info!
I’m not sure you’ll need a permit for a yurt if it’s under 200 sf and the deck is under 30-36″. If you going bigger you may, I’m not really sure though. The main issue that people run into is when they want to live in their yurt. I think Kitsap is not ok with that based on the http://www.mellishfieldswest.com/.
Hey guys, I had a questions for you. I used to own a 1/2 acre on Anderson Island in the upper sound, but they had a lot of regulations for building. So I was curious what Island you were on or the area, because I want to start building a man shack. Your project is sweet.
Thanks
Were near Hood Canal. I know where Anderson island is. Lots of cheap land out there. We technically built a shed as big as we could in our County, 200 sq foot. How big is your “shed” building limit in your county?
I’ll right away snatch your rss feed as I can’t find your email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please permit me understand in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
I would really love to see the plans you worked off of from penny pincher. I am wanting to design my cabin to be close to what you have, ( maybe a little larger) but I am wanting to draft my own plans and get the lumber locally and hopefully break ground soon. Maybe when you have time you could do a detailed construction video of how the main parts of the cabin. Emphasis on the roof sizes and pitch etc. Thanks so much, love your channel.
JT
Penny Pinchers wouldn’t like if I gave you the plans but I can tell you there is no words only 9 pages showing each wall on each page. The roof was really hard. I didn’t have much construction experience but it was pretty easy to frame the walls and the roof rafters would have been easier if we didn’t do the 2 intersecting roof lines or dormer. Not sure the right term but same your money and time and do a simple 12×16 or similar cabin with one roof line. Let me know if you have more questions. Rough carpentry is easy, just keep things level and get help with the roof angles.
Thanks for the response. I understand about the plans. I have ordered a few books that will help with the overall design. That roof looked like a nitemare but it looks awesome. It really makes it look like a larger cabin.
I was concerned about the major guts of the cabin. Like what size the floor joists are? How many Legs are going to the foundation stuff like that. Ridge beam size?, Is everything else 2X4 construction?
Looking forward to more videos. thanks for all the info.
I saw you posted a story about my tree hut (the best hut, NZ)! I’m glad you liked it
It’s a rad place. I was all over your blog last night. I’d like to make a wood fired hot tub similar to yours at my property. Great job, looks like it was really fun to build. How did you know how to weld that tank for the propane heater?
Oh nice man! it was so so fun to build! In my full time Job I work with some stainless steel fabricators so they helped me with welding the Propane heater tank. Hey I am working on another cabin at the moment, would you like to check out my ideas?