Introduce yourself

[loghousenut]

Your pine trees would probably be a great head start to a really cool house. Personally I would bank on the trees instead of the kit house at any price. As for your handicaps, I am a worn out, fat, half crippled old man who is building his wife's dream house as we speak without a mortgage. I'll admit that my Son is supplying most of the brains and at least half of the labor but I coulda done it without him (in my dreams). I am not alone on this forum. There are many of us who you'd think could never do it and yet it is really very simple if you have time and the inclination. You should take the class and count your blessings that you found this site.

[edkemper]

I spend most of my time in a wheelchair or with a cane and am married to a under 5', under 100# wife. If we can do it so can you.

[bakerp]

hi all im paul

[panderson03]

Welcome Paul:)

[ccosborne3]

Hi.

[andrew mason]

hello all. my name is andrew. i am 21 years old and in the military, and will be for some time.
i have an interest in... off the beaten path homes, geodesic domes, concrete domes, log homes.
right now i am most focused on log homes, and they are very appealing for start up costs. i have no land or anything at this time, but i am looking at a plot up in alaska. i am looking into classes, due to my location, i am most interested in the one in vegas.

[panderson03]

we have members in the military and others building or have built in Alaska. sounds like you'll fit in well here. keep your head down and come home safely. thanks for doing what you do.

[jaxsnyder]

Hi my name is Jaclyn. I am 26 and I am very interested in log homes especially building one myself. I love hands on projects especially anything that has to do with carpentry that is why I would love log homes. I am still in the process of trying to convince my husband. I think he still thinks I am a little crazy for think that building our own home is something we can actually do. We already have property that is clear in New Jersey so its just a matter of making the final decision plus a whole lot of planning and educating ourselves. Any suggestions anyone has would be more then welcomed. I am planning to attend the class hopefully sometime next year..... so heres hoping we may have a picture on the student log home page someday!

[panderson03]

Welcome Jaclyn:)
I too had to get the husband convinced. taking him to the class was what finally convinced him we could do this. Welcome to the family:)

[jaxsnyder]

Thank you for the encouragement that is what I was hoping to here since I think he is open to taking the class. Have you and your husband built a home yet?

[edkemper]

I had to beg my wife to go to the class with me. I wouldn't have taken it alone. Once she got there and listened, she got on board very quickly. She's asian and small and she has never lived outside the city. Now she is a full partner in this adventure. It's a life altering class and dream. The guys teaching it are pretty awesome too.

[panderson03]

Sorry this reply is so long in coming. we've been up at the build site:)
no we haven't built yet but will be breaking ground in a few weeks if all goes well.
yes take the class and bring your spouse. good luck:)

[lynn harvey]

My husband and I are taking the may class in boston. , was thrilled to see a class on the east coast, would not of missed it for anything.
we are looking forward to meeting everyone, see you there.

[Art]

I am from Virginia Beach, have 30 acers in the foot hills of Va. Ive eyeballed every tree on it. Is that the right kind, is it strait enugh . All ? i hope to get anwered in boston
last weekend i cut down a maple (insect damage) in the yard had to peel somthing. One thing for sure its a lot of hard WORK. the pics of the student homes make it all worth while
See you in Boston. I hope im not too old

[lynn harvey]

we all are hoping for answers in boston, virginia is a beautiful state. we live in maine in the country. noticed your bear in the picture, my husband is going to love meeting you,
hunting and fishing is one of his passions. looking forward to seeing you in boston.

[what528]

Hello, My Name is Tim, I am from Ohio. I have a piece of property in Presque Isle Michigan 2/3 of an acre and looking to build a cabin on the lot. I just recently found your website. I guess my first question would be about building plans, as a full memebr do we have access to plans? or will we need an architect to draw plans? I am completly new to the process, any feedback would be awesome.
Thanks

[panderson03]

Welcome Tim! yes after the class you'll have access to the LHBA plans. I think after the class they'll be offered at a discount. we bought the plans have made only minor changes to interior layout. again, welcome!

[jrdavis]

Welcome to the forum.....
I was in the military, now out of the military and working as a contractor in Iraq until March of 2011.
Once I return in 2011, I will begin my loghome. I have been gathering things for several years. I am 47 years old so Age isn't an issue. ( in my mind....)
I have windows for the house and for the connected solar/sun rooms.
My wife just bought 3 pallets of 6X6 quarry tiles for $500 off of craigslist.
Attend the class, start getting debt free (if you are not) and start gathering things you get free and cheap to build debt free.
It is a great goal and dream.
James.

[edkemper]

You'll find more than enough company here. I'm a 59 yo disabled guy. We have members that can call me a young'n.
Welcome to the family. Take the class and you'll learn that you're not as old as you think.

[bighausdawg]

Right now my girlfriend is stationed at Ft Bragg in Fayetteville, NC. We're looking to move closer to Raleigh or even above it, closer to Virginia when she gets out. North Carolina is ok, but we're too far East to actually have any nice hills or mountains. :( We have to make due with what we have though.

[Art]

I got my land 10 years ago 1k acer. now pay taxes on 2700 amost tripled my $ in 10 years where can you do that legelly. you can still find it hear for 14 15 hunred acer you see the criders that rome around on it. I got a senic veiw just down the road you can see 80 -100 miles ( Virginia )

[Grey Knight NFO]

Hello all,
I'm Steve and I currently live in Oak Harbor, Washington. I plan to take the class sometime next year, before the Navy sends me out of this part of the country. I've got 16 years before I can retire and move inland, but want to get plans laid for when I leave the active defense of our nation to the next generation.
Steve Griffing

[panderson03]

Welcome! and thanks for your service to our great country.

[rckclmbr428]

your not to far away, you should drop by sometime and see what the LHBA is all about

[Toolman]

My family gave me this class for my birthday (5/21/10) and I'm really looking forward to it. To think I can commute and need no hotel and spend 2 days learning to build a log cabin, this is great. See you in a couple of weeks.

[NM bound]

WOW!!! Talk about a gift that will keep on giving!!!
It may be a while before you all realize just what a wonderful gift your family gave you!
Enjoy the class. We'll look forward to seeing you on the Members side!

[Toolman]

My wife also gave me woodcarving lessons for Christmas. Since I have been a carpenter for over 35 years, I picked up woodcarving fairly easily. I think(hope) this class will be more of the same. Even if I never get a chance to build a log home, just to know I can will be a joy for me.

[Mosseyme]

Hi,
I am Cindy. We [Gary and Cindy] are headed for Washington as I write. So very excited to find this class. I am afraid it will show me how all my plans have been wrong. Better now than 2 months from now. Wish I had found it a bit sooner before we cut those last 30 trees. See you all in a couple. I'm so excited. I said that already.

[Captn]

Pam and I will see you there! I had to work Monday and Tuesday, so we fly out Tuesday night and should get into the Lodge about midnight. Good thing I learned how to sleep on Airplanes!

See You all Wednesday Morning!

[Curtis S.]

Yep, we are pretty excited tooooo! We fly in Tuesday afternoon. See ya there.
Curtis and Sheila

[af14729]

Hi there, My name is Andrew, I live in the UK, but don`t hold that against me!
For many years I have wanted to move to the USA, and after separating from my wife (of 16 years) last year I decided to do something about it.
After trawling through the internet I found 10 acres of woodland 45 minutes south of Buffalo, and now after several months of emails and snail mail, the deal is done. The land is down an old logging road, which is at the end of a private drive, which is at the end of a maintained side road. Although I haven`t seen it myself, a friend of mine who visited the US recently has, I have only seen pictures from the seller and images on google earth and google street view, as far as the maintained road anyway.
I have been looking at this site and the public forum for a while, the general consensus of opinion from members to non members seems to be, take the course! And so next year I will combine a visit to the US with a 2 day course. I will be visiting the 10 acres in October this year to get a look at the lay of the land and decide where to put a log home.
Regards

[Captn]

Welcome Andrew!

Look forward to seeing you on the members side. To Paraphrase Winston Churchill: "The only thing you have to fear is fear itself".
This site is a great resource and I'm sure you'll make a lot of contacts through fulfilling your dreams. That's where to keep your focus.
As Mark Twain once said:

<img style="border: 0px initial initial;" src="http://thinkexist.com/i/sq/5star.gif" alt="" width="39" height="7" /> <img style="cursor: pointer; border: 0px initial initial;" onclick="vote(346308,1)" src="http://thinkexist.com/i/sq/ThumbsUp.gif" border="0" alt="I Like this quote" width="12" height="11" /> <img style="cursor: pointer; border: 0px initial initial;" onclick="vote(346308,0)" src="http://thinkexist.com/i/sq/ThumbsDwn.gif" border="0" alt="I dislike this quote" width="12" height="11" />?<a href="http://thinkexist.com/quotation/great_people_are_those_who_make_others_feel_that/346308.html" class="sqq" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: #003399; text-decoration: none;">Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.</a>?

[af14729]

Thank You for the welcome, appreciate it.
Regards
Andrew

[Toolman]

Just finished the Boston class on Sunday. Fantastic! I learned so much. I really feel ready to go out into the woods and build a home. Elllsworth and Steve are really good teachers and very patient. Full of info and very helpful. Well done! I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.
Gus from Braintree, MA.

[William Hill]

I can't wait to get the chance to go to a class. I've been reading all the fantastic stuff everyone has been writing about it. I have found 40 acres that im currently in the process of buying, and was looking into the do it yourself log cabin kits. Then i stumbled upon this site and you fine people, got to reading and just doing that has gotten me all fired up and ready to get started on my dream of building my very own log home. Im hoping you guys are going to have time to scedual a class in early to mid 2011. that is the soonest ill be available to take the class being that im currently overseas in Iraq till then. Cant wait to start getting to know you all.
William

[Captn]

Arrrrrggggggg. Yavast ye land lubbing stick framers!

[IsraelEternal]

I just drove up to Boston and back from NC for the class this weekend, and now want to build down town there next to Paul Revere's house!
It was worth all the misery of driving 1600 miles hands down!!
I came back home with a clear vision of my future building plans (God willing) and no questions or doubts about anything.

[Captn]

My wife and I took the class earlier this month in Washington ... it was more than worth the airfare and rental car .... the association dues are nothing compared to the knowledge you gain.

Being a realist, I know the path ahead has twists, turns, and challenges along the way ....

For change to happen there MUST be several things present.
1.) A clear and compelling vision
2.) Goals derived from this vision
3.) A plan to achieve the goals
4.) Determination to make the vision a reality.

This class helps you to conceptualize the vision and gives you the tools you need to refine your goals by helping you to formulate the plan to make it a reality. It works because it's based in experience, not just the theoretical that is available in so many books. It's a fully functioning model of how to complete a Skip style home. I'm sure you will, like us, be remembering things we discussed in class for many moons down the road. The Determination is all up to you.
The "triple threat" of this association is the wealth of experience and knowledge available on this forum once you become a member. You can search past posts going back years, and spend a lot of time doing so .... but every week someone is trying something new and discussing it with the people on this site. All based on the same mental model.
Wow.

Welcome to the logs ... pick up a spud and start a peeling ....

[bighausdawg]

Glad to see that you got to make it to the class. Me and my girlfriend attended the earlier Washington class and were glad that we did. As Captn said, it is a wealth of knowledge.
Me and my girl live in Fayetteville, NC and are looking to start a log home soon.
Happy to see that you made it all the way there and back without too much trouble.

[IsraelEternal]

Yeah, Fayettnam-Fayetteville . . . same thing right?
you plan on building around here?

[janem555]

Hi, I am from L.A. and will attend the Sept 4 class. I am looking for flat land to build. Thanks!


Nathaniel

[panderson03]

welcome! Glad you're here.

[ccosborne3]

Hi, I am from L.A. and will attend the Sept 4 class. I am looking for flat land to build. Thanks!



Welcome aboard! Hope you get as much out of the class as I did. What do you have in mind to build?

[rkissinger]

I'm signed up and excited about the Vegas class too. I was planning to be there around that time anyway and everything fell in to place. Are you planning to build in So. CA? I will hopefully be stacking my wood in N.E. OR in a couple years. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and getting involved, it seems like a really great community of people. If this class lives up to half the hype on this forum I think it will be well worth it ;-)

[panderson03]

the class is so much more than I'd hoped. one of the best investments we've made. Welcome to the family!

[StressMan79]

If you plan to build your own house... even if not log, the class will save you way more than the entry fee. You'll love the class, how well it is laid out, how they teach you everything you need to know about building a log structure in just 2 days. And the best part about the class is the member's forums. You will forget some things, and there is tons more info in the members side than in the public side. And yes, the people on this forum make it what it is. There are doctors, engineers, dentists, lawyers, computer programmers, firemen, book keepers, etc. All working towards the same goal. Welcome to the club.
-Peter

[drmnoflogs]

Hi all, I'm Rachel. My husband, Dave and I are super excited about this overwhelming project! We are hoping to take the class the next go around as the Vegas class may not work out for us. We are in Lebanon, TN and plan to build within the next two years.

[ottodog]

Hey All,
I'd love to take the Vegas class, but the hotel rates seem crazy over the weekend. Has anyone found a good rate on room? Really don't feel like paying as much for the room as I'm paying for the class. Maybe I'll wait for a time it's NOT in Vegas.
Thanks, Chris

[chadfortman]

I don't live there but i been there 2 times and my relatives have lived there for years.
If you take a cab you tell them go the Frontier its hole wall but cheapest place you stay there.
It across from Slots of fun and Circus circus
Watch around past Mc Donalds off the strip there it get shady and allot gangs and low life's hang out.
Yugen can probably tell you some other cheep one he lives there if he chimes in.
Enjoy Las Wages but know what going on around you at all times.

[jaclynolson2]

Just wondering if anyone from MN or WI are going to the Las VEgas class? My husband wants to go, but can't get a buddy to go with him to save a little money. Kind of an expensive trip, but sounds like well worthwhile.

[gnllr]

Hey All,
I'd love to take the Vegas class, but the hotel rates seem crazy over the weekend. Has anyone found a good rate on room? Really don't feel like paying as much for the room as I'm paying for the class. Maybe I'll wait for a time it's NOT in Vegas.
Thanks, Chris

Chris,
Try this site: <a href="http://www.i4vegas.com">www.i4vegas.com</a>
See you there!
Glen

[The Murphs]

G'day from The Murph's in Australia.
First time on the site.
We are hoping to get to Las Vegas Sept 4th &amp; 5th 2010 for the Class (dependent on being able to get the time off work to fly over to the USA). We are moving to the USA in a few years when we retire, (have a house in PA but it's not a Log Home), so am looking forward to building with logs then. We will be looking for a block of land between now and then so if anyone has any suggestions please let us know, we are keen on TN or the Carolinas but are open to suggestions.
Best wishes, Brendan &amp; Carolyn Murphy

[the_tof]

Hi Steve, and hello all,
Brand new to this, I don't know a thing about log cabins, but over the past few months it's been calling to me, and I feel unexplicably drawn to it, and am ready to learn everything I can about fulfilling this dream of mine.

[dan.jacobson]

Hoping to head out for the Vegas class in Sept! Not really a vegas type, but If I must go, I must go. Bringing a buddy along. We are both from Wisconsin and planning to possibly camp outside of the city someplace. Anyone have suggestions for that? Anyone else from the midwest heading out? I've been reading the site for a long time and can't wait to get rolling.
Dan

[rkissinger]

Hey Dan, about the only place to camp reasonably close to Vegas is a place called Mt. Charleston. It's about 1 hour north of Vegas, unless you hit traffic. It's also pretty high elevation so it might not be too hot on labor day, but then again it may be pretty damn hot. If you want a cheap room check out Wild Wild West, Gold Coast or The Orleans, they're all off the strip but still about 5 minutes from Planet Hollywood. Good luck, see ya there.

[dan.jacobson]

Thanks for the advice. Do you know this place?
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/districts/smnra/index.shtml
Claims to be closer than the one you mentioned, but west I believe. I'll check out those places you mentioned.

dan

[dan.jacobson]

might be the same place I guess...

[rkissinger]

I think they're being pretty optimistic claiming 30 min. drive time though.

[Danita]

Hello,
I have been watching this wonderful site for several years and lost my old login info and just registered again a couple of weeks ago.
My name is Danita. I am a grandmother, pushing 60 years young, have great kids and a whole "pacel" of grandkids. I have wonderful friends and am involved at my church. I really enjoy interior decorating, clearing land, metal detecting, flower gardening and being with my family and friends, not necessarily in that order. I enjoy people but also enjoy just being by myself sometimes.
I am going to build my own log home using Skip's butt and pass method. I will build this home debt free very frugally.
The articles in this website are a tremendous source of encouragment and information to me.
I have seven acres in NW Louisiana and am trying to "get my ducks in a row" to get to the next class. I really want to get my grandchildren onboard this venture of mine --for their futures.
I already live in a free trailer! When I bought the land a couple of years ago, I just asked these people that had an abandoned trailer on their property how much they wanted for it. They said, "Nothing! Just move it out of here!" It cost me $1140.00 to move it about a mile. That included blocking and tie downs! And a few hundred more $$$ just to fix some cosmetics and some repairs that I could do just fine by myself. It is fine for a good many years to come! And then, I plan to give it away to somebody who needs it! The main thing to me is getting the land and getting it paid for. AND getting my home built!!!
I would like to see other women post on this forum about their experiences they encountered while planning and building their home or even just hoping to one day. I saw info here a couple of weeks ago about two different women that built their own log homes and have read a lot about their experiences---and so totally identified with them and the others who post on here about how and why they are building debt free or nearly.Also, I'm not sure if this is ok to ask, but are there any other women that would like to share accomodations to help save on the hotel expenses?
I really am looking forward to being a part of this group for now and into the future.
Thanks for letting me "yak",
Danita
?a merry heart doeth good, like a medicine?

[ArcticSpear]

My Name is Bob, and I'm a Log Home Enthusiast.
I've always had an interest in log homes, but recently a friend rekindled my interest in wanting to actually build a home of my own someday. I'm not getting any younger, or wealthier for that matter, but I have to start somewhere.
Looking forward to reading your information, tips and techniques.
Currently in Thule, Greenland.

[panderson03]

Welcome to LHBA. Glad you're here! There are lots of women no this forum. some in the planning phase, some in the building phase, others still dreaming. its all good:) again, welcome!
Pauline

[loghousenut]

Arcticspear, get out there and claim your chunk of ice and start building your log house! Actually, if what little I know about Thule is accurate, you'll probably want to wait till you get back to anywhere else to build your home.
Read whatever you can on this site and see if you fit in. You'll find that the class offered by LHBA is geared toward men and women who want to build their own home with their own hands and not spend the rest of their lives paying the tab. Just as valuable as the class will be the assistance from everyone else who has taken the class as we congregate on the "members only" side of this forum.


Thought for the Day... Any married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people expending energy to remember the same thing.
Don't even think about arguing this point ladies.

[cabindreamer]

Myname is Robert, and I live in Dallas, Texas, and want to build a cabin in the mountains someday - possibly in Wyoming. I don;t have land yet, but I'm interested in a log cabin.

-Robert

[Lazylogger]

Hello My name is Neil, I live in upstate NY Near the Canadian border. I own property in the Adirondack park where I am planning to build a log home. I am happy I stumbled across this site it looks as tho there is a lot of good advice to be shared. My back ground is mostly mechanical (up till now carpentry prodjects made me ill). I teach A power-sports class at a college and also work as a technical trainer for a major power-sports manufacturer. So maybe I can share some advice on fixing your toys for help with building a cabin. I look forward to talking with you all in the future.

[morrison7368]

Hello everyone. My husband and I are planning on buying property in Eastern WA and building our own home in 3 years. It's a long time from now but it is never to early to start learning.

[panderson03]

Welcome Morrison and Lazylogger:)

[edkemper]

&gt; I teach A power-sports class at a college
Does this mean you have a bunch of young strong bodies that are excited about hard work? &lt;smile&gt; I think you may have found a source of free labor to help them in the physical fitness training.
It's great to see so many new people introducing themselves. Welcome all.

[FolicAcidisgoodforyou]

Hi, my boyfriend and I are looking at building in 3-4 years. Looking for all the info we can get on building for ourselves!

[Blondie]

Hello,
There are several women who lurk on this site! Why don't your email me!
Blondie <a href="mailto:brightonsnow@gmail.com">brightonsnow@gmail.com</a>

[edkemper]

You have no idea what perfect timing you have. 3-4 years is a great time to start learning on this site. Especially if you can't get to the class, yet. I see you also have future free labor for your build. &lt;smile&gt;
Read every post on the site. Look over every picture. your knowledge will grow and you'll start getting a feel for what you're getting into. No doubt it's work but also a labor of love. A future you can't even imagine, yet. Keep reading and keep posting.
Welcome to the family.

[Wildernessgal]

Hey there,
My name is Cassie and I live in Canada, so unfortunately I will not be attending any of the classes/meetings. I'll be going into University next fall (I'm basically taking a year off out of highschool) and after I finish my program I would love to either move out West or NorthWest into the Canadian Wilderness. I have always dreamt of building a log cabin of my own for most of my 18 years of being alive! So it turns out I was browsing the web for lessons on building twig furniture and I found this website, I had to join! Anywho, that's all for now.
Cassie?

[edkemper]

Welcome to the family. It's nice any time we can add family that are young. Even when we're split by a border. &lt;smile&gt;

[loghousenut]

Don't know if you heard the news. They opened a hole in the border and taught us in the States to speak English. You could sneak in and take the class and sneak back home to build that house in the wilderness. We'd love to have you in the club.

[Captn]

Don't know if you heard the news. They opened a hole in the border and taught us in the States to speak English. You could sneak in and take the class and sneak back home to build that house in the wilderness. We'd love to have you in the club.

Yep ... it weren't easy, but we were learned real good .....
You'all come on down and learn with us .... we'd love you have you in the family :o)

[Wildernessgal]

Hey guys,
I know I could very well cross that border, and I'd love to join the class, you guys are awesome! The problem is finding the time and the $$ to do so. I still have University coming up, gas or airplane tickets are not really on my top priority list, except for Log cabins of course!! We'll see what happens. If I do find myself on my way to the states I will most definately see if I can find a way to join the family!
Cheers for now?
ps: which state are you guys actually hanging out at?

[panderson03]

Cassie if you have no $$ for class, just insist that if any of your loving family wants to get you birthday/Christmas/Hanukkah/Kuwanza presents this year/next year, that they just send you to class instead:) class really gives you a new way of looking at things! welcome to the family:)

[Wildernessgal]

Okay, this made me laugh really hard eh! Stick framers..haha
I guess logs do sound like they require a little more good earned sweat than sticks!

[Wildernessgal]

You make a wonderful suggestion. I was just mentioning this to my sister and she said the same thing as you. I guess I may be able to go next spring...but I would have to bring someone with me. I guess it wouldn't be that bad money-wise if I had a whole bunch of family members pitch in.
Thanks for thinking of this and for welcoming me to the family?

[loghousenut]

Yes you oughta bring someone along, for more than one reason. Safety, security, comradeship. but mostly because when you get back home and want to talk logs, it'll drive you ABSOLUTELY BONKERS to attempt a conversation with normal folks who have no idea how we think the house should be built. Trust me... Your point of view about log buildings and the reasons that you will do the things that you do will radically change after the class.
Also, it would be nice to have at least one person in your circle of friends who really thinks it can be done. That will be the one you took to class. It'll be good to have you aboard.
PS... We live all over. From South Africa to Southern Oregon. Plenty of us are in the Southern States but probably most are from Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. Got a few in Canada and Alaska too. My family is building in Grants Pass, Oregon.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Presssurewashingwalls6-24-2010017.jpg

[Pipesmith]

loghousenut....i took my young family to Grants Pass and applegate valley to visit long lost uncle and can't wait to MOVE! what an awesome territory. we really like your picture....hope we can talk sometime, i'd like to here about your building adventure. I will be attending the vegas class and cannot wait to be a member and access the members site/info. take care.

[edkemper]

Good looking boy (Right? hard to see.) you got there.
You will not be the same after the class. Then add to that, access to the Member's Only Side and the other family members, oh boy.
Looking forward to your time here.

[loghousenut]

We have a lot in common. Mrs. loghousenut and I are both Smith's also. hahhhahhahahahha. You're right about Grants Pass and the rest of Southern Oregon. It'sa great place to live. After you've been to class, look me up on the members side and we'll get together.

[Wildernessgal]

I love you guys!!
Talking cabin is what I do best, and I hardly know a thing! I'm so glad I found you guys.
I cannot wait to find an opportunity to take this class!

[Clint Norlie]

Figured I would drop a line of Intro for myself.
My name is Clint, and I originally took the class with Skip back in 2001. After those 2 days I knew without a doubt that a Butt and pass Log home was the way I wanted to go. I had the opportunity to travel and work for a few years after that, and through those travels ended up finding the gal who would become my wife. I shared with her my great hope to build our own Log Home Skips way. Although cautiously optimistic at the start, she is now fully on board with the Log Home, the build, the time commitment and the whole nine yards. Paying a mortgage for few years tends to refocus the priorities a bit I have found :)
We are currently scoping out Land in the state of Washington (our home state), and have a few versions of Log home plans in work. I hope to finish up the plans by the end of the month, and then, with any luck, have some of you fellas take a look at it. Once again, just following Skip's direction and plow forward.
The course was Great. It really helped me to become aware of the different paths available in life. I am sorry to hear of Skip's passing, He was a great guy all around. What he taught lives on today through all of us. These Forum boards are pure evidence of that.
So a big "Hello" to all of you at Log home builders. Gimme a shout if you need a hand at a spud party or raising Log walls or whatever, I will help out in anyway that I can.
-Clint

[ramblinman502]

youre a bit of i hike away..but i have a whole stack of logs you can peel ; ) welcome : )

[janaderry]

Hello,
We are considering taking the class to build on our land near Nashville, TN. Anybody else in the area done this?
Thanks!

[drmnoflogs]

Janaderry--
I will be at the Vegas class coming up; my hubby and I will be building near Nashville. You can always come get your hands dirty if you're in doubt! :) Albeit, we wont start for about 2 years...

[janaderry]

drmnoflogs-
We would love to go, but Las Vegas is a little too pricey for us. We have family near Seattle, WA, so we're going to wait until there is a class nearby.
We are so excited to hear you're building in MT too! We'll be in Eagleville. Can't start for a couple more years either, but already collecting stuff.

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Hi Keith! Glad to have you with us. All I can say about moving out west is come and see where I live! I have five acres, and am now looking at another 20 acres. The prices are skyrocketing but they are still bargain basement compared to central or western Washington, or parts of Montana. Quiet, peaceful. Man, I just can't stand to be away earning a living. All I want is to get back to my place and keep building. Trees, views, solitude. Did I mention peaceful? -G'pa

[Bowhunter]

Hello Everyone:
I have been searching the internet for basic knowledge on what is involved in building a log home. WOW, did I find the right site.
Been reading non stop for a few days on all of the posts (great stuff).
Not enough pennies in the piggy bank to take the Vegas 2010 class but will plan to take one in 2011 if offered.

Bowhunter

[panderson03]

welcome to LHBA:) that's EXACTLY the way we found the site too! spent most waking hours reading the public forums to the exclusion of almost everything else. quite a ride:) the public forums help refine the questions you ask in class too. have fun and welcome!

[Art]

I think I Googled every log kit site out there an then I found the LHBA Never dreamed I would make it to the class &amp; then the tax man said I had payed to much last year my refund was the same amount as the intire class &amp; trip. Went to the Boston class in May this year. It will change your life, keep worken on that piggy bank Bowhunter.
I have 7 years to be debt free then I'll start on my log home. Bow season is going to be a little differant this fall.
Welcome Bowhunter!

[TimSingleton]

Just looking for a way to not have a mortgage. I finally figured out that much of the stress in life is over wanting what you are told you should want, rather than figuring it out yourself and going after it.
Looking at log homes I realized they are very beautiful. Looking at some of the prices builders want to charge, I kicked back for a while. Then I found this site and started reading about homes built for $7,500 and selling in the hundreds of thousands.
I think I will stick around and read for a while and catch a class as soon as I can.
Tim

[StressMan79]

more of a debt free org. you can do this by means of log homes. welcome to the club, Tim.
-Peter

[ldrobinett]

Larry here. I have been a log home enthusiast for many years and have recently acquired property in the Ozark foot hills, on the Black River, here in Missouri. I am looking forward to the experience of building my own log home and plan to begin next year. This looks like a great organization and I am sure my many questions will begin soon, after I read the history to see if they are already answered.

[getmeoutofhere]

Hi everybody! I'm looking forward to getting out of the rat race and moving to a quiet plot of land in the country, where I can build my own log home and life debt free. I can't tell you how exicting it is to have found this site after weeks of looking at questionable log cabin kit manufacturers. I'm really eager to take the LHBA seminar, but unfortunately can't afford the September course. However, I'm on the mailing list and will be the first to sign up for a 2011 class (if one is offered...I hope, I hope...). I think it's going to change my life in ways that, before, I couldn't even hope to imagine. I can't wait to get started!

[panderson03]

welcome! We found LHBA in the exact same manner (researching kit homes). we were SURE we wanted a log home and thought kits were the only way to get there. BOY were we wrong:) you are quite right; LHBA will change your way of thinking about a lot of things (not just log homes). take the time to read through all these public forums. there's a lot of good info here. again, welcome. I hope you find what you're looking for.

[Leanne]

Just joined the forum. (: I spent a week in a fabulous log cabin that belonged to a friend's family, and while I'd always wanted to live in a log cabin in the woods, I hadn't really had enough impetus to go after it until I'd actually had the experience of doing so.
So when I got home, I started poking around and found you folks. Thinking about making that dream real now. (: Can't make the class in September, so I'm hoping there'll be classes next year.

[Cornfed]

Hi all I just joined after poking around on here for awhile, the wife and i have been talking about moving to the U.P. of MI after the kids are out of the house and would love to build a log home there. wont go into to much detail here just wanted to say hello and thank you in advance for any help we get from yall

-j

[uncle_jo3]

hello everyone my name is brandon.... im seeking guidence for my 1st home which i have decided to go with a log home.... ive always loved the way log homes look and i hope im headed in the right direction.. ive searched around and will be on this site for a while so when i get out the army i can have a nice place for me and my family... i wont be able to attend the class anytime soon but hope i can gain some knownledge so i dont screw this up..

[ramblinman502]

hey to the newbies! pull up a seat n forget most everything you think you might know about log homes! its a fun ride.
Rusty-

[ajwilt]

Well hello,
I'm so thankful The Lord brought me to this site! I have always dreamed of owning a log cabin and until recently I thought it was going to be just that.... a dream. I am very excited for the Las Vegas class and booked my hotel and airfare today! I don't know a lick about logs or building stuff with them but I sure am ready to get started. I can't imagine the satisfaction that comes with building your own home.
See y'all in Vegas :-)

[panderson03]

hello everyone my name is brandon.... im seeking guidence for my 1st home which i have decided to go with a log home.... ive always loved the way log homes look and i hope im headed in the right direction.. ive searched around and will be on this site for a while so when i get out the army i can have a nice place for me and my family... i wont be able to attend the class anytime soon but hope i can gain some knownledge so i dont screw this up..

Hi there Uncle. welcome to the forums:) there is a lot of good information to be found here in the general forums but the best info (and all the key details) reside on the members side. I don't recommend building with just the information in the general forums alone.
THANKS for your military service and all of the sacrifices you've undoubtedly had to make in pursuit of that. we have several folks here on the forums who are currently active duty:)
Take care of yourself. come home safe.

[panderson03]

Well hello,
I'm so thankful The Lord brought me to this site! I have always dreamed of owning a log cabin and until recently I thought it was going to be just that.... a dream. I am very excited for the Las Vegas class and booked my hotel and airfare today! I don't know a lick about logs or building stuff with them but I sure am ready to get started. I can't imagine the satisfaction that comes with building your own home.
See y'all in Vegas :-)

welcome AJWILT. congratulations on signing up for the class. you won't regret it. as ramblinman said 'its quite a ride'! we're in the middle of building now and can definitely say YOU ARE RIGHT! there's nothing quite like the satisfaction that comes with building your own home....especially when you're doing it debt free.
Welcome to the family
Psalm 127:1

[AmericanStar]

Hello everyone,
It is good to be here and know there are other with the same dream i have the will powerto go get! Looking forward to hear more of every one's commits and progress.
I'm looking for land NOW to make this cabin become a real.
America

[panderson03]

after you take the class you'll have access to a whole HUGE list of websites documenting student's log home building journeys:)
glad you found us. WELCOME!

[rckclmbr428]

well, i guess taking the class is the first step, then the land, but welcome, and good luck!

[ramblinman502]

i dont have ANY land and im building 2 log homes right now..and two next year.. then my own. i think desire and passion are good first steps. you never really know where the road will take you. the class is key..it will be a game changer. its there youll learn to think in a differently about building a log home..or most anything else.

[kbsatlive]

Greetings from Texas! Glad to be here. My husband and I have always dreamed of a log home but felt it was out of our reach. This has given us new hope. We have our land and by the first of the year 2011 we will be debt free! We will be starting an organic farm in Indiana where I grew up. I bought the land from my parents who are raising grass fed beef for their retirement. I want to start an online delivery service of organic vegetables and marry it with my parents grass fed beef. I believe everyone deserves access to good food. The idea of building my own log cabin with no debt makes my heart race! Anyway enough about me. Thanks for having me God Bless hope everyones dreams come true!

[ramblinman502]

hey there n welcome..we might have more than a love of log homes in common : ) what part of indiana??

[kbsatlive]

It is a very small town called Sharpsville in Central Indiana. My parents have 120 acres there, I grew up on a farm. I never thought I would miss it. When your a kid you think, Man when I get out of here I'm going to get me a nice job in town! No more shoving poop for me! Now after 20 years I can't wait to go home. Where are you all from? Are you into green organic living too? Have you been to the class? I can't wait! We are doing David Ramsey Debt Snowball, so far going well. My husband and I are both RNs. We had about enough of big pharma, Mancento and Walmart-They lie. We are ready to be farmers! Not glamerous but real. Nice chatting hope all is well with you.

[ramblinman502]

i grew up in the city. i took the class 3 years ago ( you will love it ) im BIG into eating good food : ) and green living. im building a few log homes on a grass fed beef farm that also does organic/biodynamic market gardening. its a pretty amazing place. i dig your idea with your farm..the beef on the farm here is GREAT. ill be moving to the land myself after these cabins are finished.

[KingLewey70]

Welcome kbsatlive, I work in Kokomo and we are building just outside Logansport. The wife is into organic gardening and I would like to raise a few bison.

[danlaurajacobson]

King Lewey,
I am checking out your pics. What are the dimensions of your structure?
Thanks
Vegas in Sept!!!

[KingLewey70]

Hi danlaurajacobson, the cabin is a 30 x 30. it is 1 1/2 stories with a half loft bedroom going in upstairs. Congrats on taking the class in sept, it is definitely a life changing class. It was the best decision I have made, make that the 2nd best decision behind my wife.

[kbsatlive]

That is so great! I'm very excited for you. My husband and I thought about Bison also. We are starting small with chicken, eggs maybe ducks and geese and veggies. Next I think we'll try pigs and work our way up! Good luck on your home!

[kbsatlive]

I Love Chicago. We used to take the train up there. It's a great city, not too big but big enough. Your place sounds amazing. My parents have an old farm house that was built in the 1890's I want to covert it to a B&amp;B someday. I thought if people could come to a working farm where people are doing things the right way-Maybe we could change things you know? Goodluck on your cabins, I know you'll do great!

[Captn]

My wife is from Southern Michigan and I lived in northern Indiana for 40 years ... Logansport area is really nice, but are you ready for all the snow????

We're building here in Texas ... what part are you in currently?

[KingLewey70]

Captn, I grew up in Northern Illinois (rockford) for 22 years. I have been living in the Logansport area now for 18. The winters are milder than the northern part of the state and seem to keep getting milder every year. Last year I was only able to get the snowmobile out one time and only put about 30 miles on it.

[Captn]

Well, we only saw snow once last year .. and it melted as soon as it hit the ground!

[ahiranta]

Well, my name is Ahiranta and living in England UK. This being an American based association I hope I am still welcome here to learn from you all. Originally I am from Holland so forgive me if I make some mistake in my choice of words, but live in England with my Welsh husband. We are as lucky to have bought a property in Sweden in 2005 which is build in 1869 and contains a big house traditionally build with logs, a barn, a store house, and a garage o and a stable with outhouse build onto it. Stable is build in 1949 so is of more recent date. Any way if your interested you could do a search, the property is called Strombacken. By having spend some time in this property we have fallen in love with log build houses. In 2007 my husband was given, by his mother, the "family land" in Wales on which stood 11 miners cottages which were all demolished in the 1960s. This land was bought by my husband parents in the 50s but sadly my husband father died 6 weeks after arriving on the land from a heart attack. Since then the land has been lying there without being used. Its not a tremendous big piece of land but big enough for what we have in mind. A little stream runs over the land. We would love to build log cabins on it, so we can spend some month's each year up Wales, and bring friends and family with us for walks in nature etc. The plan is to divide our time between Sweden, England were we live in a small counsel house, and Wales. Because the property in Sweden is already build out of logs does not mean we will be knowing what we are doing when starting to build in Wales so any advice of any one will be welcomed. We want to build it all without lending any money because we value our freedom highly. Although on paper we look rich we are not, in England we would be classed as being of NO class, which is our personal joke , or better still UNDERCLASS, hahaha. First of all I am going to find out what butt and pass means. I saw it on one of the pages within the website and I have no idea what it means although I have a quess that that is the system they used to build our buildings in Sweden. Any info about building a so called removable log cabin would be lovely too. Ok hope to hear from at least one of you. Kindest regards, Ahiranta

[panderson03]

Welcome!
when you're doing research on our building method be sure to look for 'tightly pinned butt and pass'; that's important! again welcome!!

[CrossFan]

You mean there are classes on this stuff? Wish I would have known that. I winged it and built one out of the dead ash trees in my back yard (appx 40 trees). It doesn't appear to be falling down any time soon, but maybe I missed some secret instruction. :-)
Chinking it right now. Any tips? Can't believe how much that stuff costs...
Don

[ajwilt]

Well hello,
I'm so thankful The Lord brought me to this site! I have always dreamed of owning a log cabin and until recently I thought it was going to be just that.... a dream. I am very excited for the Las Vegas class and booked my hotel and airfare today! I don't know a lick about logs or building stuff with them but I sure am ready to get started. I can't imagine the satisfaction that comes with building your own home.
See y'all in Vegas :-)

welcome AJWILT. congratulations on signing up for the class. you won't regret it. as ramblinman said 'its quite a ride'! we're in the middle of building now and can definitely say YOU ARE RIGHT! there's nothing quite like the satisfaction that comes with building your own home....especially when you're doing it debt free.
Welcome to the family
Psalm 127:1


Thanks Panderson03! I really appreciate the welcome and wanted to say thank you for pointing me to that scripture. It immediately became one of my favorites. May God bless your new home.
~ajwilt

[pittysbad]

Hi All,
I purchased a cabin originally built in 1893, we took it apart brought it home and would like to reconstruct it on our property. I would like to keep it as original as possible, the previous owners had excavated the basement and used concrete block. Does any one know how the old cabins were done without a foundation under them? I've seen some with rock piers but am not sure that this would be appropiate for the period, or if it is, how to construct it so the whole thing wouldn't come crashing down. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Linda

[ramblinman502]

im in the process of de-constructing 3 cabins built in the 1830s. all three are sitting on rock piers. when its time to rebuild ( were using a total of 6 cabins to make one stucture ) well be putting it on a concrete stem wall.

[Loghomeguy]

The old cabin foundations made use of whatever indigenous materials were available. Even though the Romans invented concrete, it was not readily available in the usa frontier, the pioneers often just dry-stacked stones or where old growth cedar was available used that as it was rot and bug resistant. I think cinder blocks are too flimsy and would not use them under logs-ever.
Mikey Simmons, Journeyman Log home builder class of 1987 <a href="mailto:loghomeguy@msn.com">loghomeguy@msn.com</a>



Michael Simmons

[Will Gatlin]

Hi all,
I'm building a very small log cabin on my property using mostly old hand tools, found on eBay or bought in antique tool stores. I'm learning as I go, and I'm learning lots from my mistakes. Later, I'll use more modern methods to construct a log home higher on the site, and the cabin will serve first as a kid's play house and then as an outbuilding.
Is this a good place to ask questions?
Will

[panderson03]

welcome. I read your blog. you have a way with words. Yes. this is a good place to ask questions. If we know the answers, we're usually more than happy to help. couldn't hurt to ask. the method you are using to build is different from our prefered method (tightly pinned butt and pass). with our method there is very little notching, which is good (from my perspective) for several reasons, but it seems from your blog you sort of like the whole notching process, so more power to you!
welcome to the forums!

[Will Gatlin]

Thank you. The blog is almost as much of a project as the cabin -- it's certainly a parallel project. My wife thought I was over-utilizing Facebook and suggested the blog.
When I construct a full-size log home, I won't be using saddle notches. Looking forward to learning more about butt and pass, and other methods.

Will



welcome. I read your blog. you have a way with words. Yes. this is a good place to ask questions. If we know the answers, we're usually more than happy to help. couldn't hurt to ask. the method you are using to build is different from our prefered method (tightly pinned butt and pass). with our method there is very little notching, which is good (from my perspective) for several reasons, but it seems from your blog you sort of like the whole notching process, so more power to you!
welcome to the forums!

[Will Gatlin]

Thank you. The blog is almost as much of a project as the cabin -- it's certainly a parallel project. My wife thought I was over-utilizing Facebook and suggested the blog.
When I construct a full-size log home, I won't be using saddle notches. Looking forward to learning more about butt and pass, and other methods.

Will



welcome. I read your blog. you have a way with words. Yes. this is a good place to ask questions. If we know the answers, we're usually more than happy to help. couldn't hurt to ask. the method you are using to build is different from our prefered method (tightly pinned butt and pass). with our method there is very little notching, which is good (from my perspective) for several reasons, but it seems from your blog you sort of like the whole notching process, so more power to you!
welcome to the forums!

[vlarson063]

Hello everyone!
I attended the Las Vegas class this month and was blown away. When I got home and went to bed that first night I did not see visions of sugarplums dancing in my head! It was joists, rafters, piers, rebar and, of course, LOGS! My new catch phrase is "Got Logs?"
I live in south central-ish Indiana in a little town called Bloomfield. Am shopping for my land and have been for several months. Guess I must be picky. I let one piece get away from me because of that. Hmmmm.
I'm looking forward to finding the right spot and am following Steve and Ellsworth's advice about finding the tools, although I already have some!
Good luck to everyone else who attended the class. It WAS pretty awesome!
Vana
PS If anyone else in S Indiana gets moving before I do, I would be glad to help just for the experience!

[panderson03]

the class teaches that mortor chinking is preferable to synthetic in that it costs less and lets mosture escape (so less opportunity for rot...).
what building method did you use? how long did you season your logs? the method preferred here allows the use of green logs so no seasoning required (seasoning takes more patience than i have.....)
good luck! welcome to the site:)

[edkemper]

Welcome to the family, sister. It'll be great getting to know you on the member's side.

[R_Cullen]

Greetings All!
I'm from Ottawa Ontario Canada and am relatively new to the forums. I hope to take the next class whenever they announce it and am pretty excited about what I'll learn.
Everytime I go camping my wife and I get to talking about owning a cottage that we could potentially move into one day. This cottage must be made of logs and I must build it myself, I can't imagine it any other way.
I'm a carpenter by trade and have been for 10 years, and have been itching to get into log building and timberframing for a while, but my attempts at working with a crew that does this have been, shall we say, life threatening? lol I've got stories to tell about that but will save it for another day.
I love to build homes from start to finish, as its a feeling of accomplishment unparalleled with anything else, and the thought of building a log home on my own without any expensive special equipment seems so impossible that I have to do it! lol I thrive with new challenges and this is my next one. I really am excited about what I'll learn at this class, I've already got a basic layout for how the log home will look. Am currently looking for land but holding off on buying till I take the class, as I want to get some land large enough to fell my own trees. It will be difficult to find a place that matches my requirements but I'm sure I'll find the perfect one if I'm patient. Anyway, look forward to participating in these forums from here on in.
Cheers!
-Ryan

[panderson03]

welcome! love your enthusiasm:) yeah, holding off on buying land til after the class is probably a good thing. when we went to class, we came with plans in hand only to scrap them after class 'cause what we learned changed our minds about a lot of things. and about being patient, there are some of us here who've taken YEARS to find just the right property. sounds like you'll fit in well here. welcome to the family!

[Grimjack]

Hey all,
Just found this site and am very interested in taking the class. My wife and I have been moving towards more sustainable living for a few years now- Raising chickens, goats, and we put in a large garden. We are flying out to Tennesse in November to look at property in hopes of retiring in a few years and building a cabin. Our goal is to buy land with cash and then save up to build without a mortgage.
I've only built some small sheds and the like previously. I've enjoyed reading the posts and seeing the photos of what other people have done. It's very inspiring!

[kbsatlive]

Hello All, Anyone go to the last class? How did it go? Can't wait for my turn. Still working on our debt bomb closer than ever now! Looking at Jan 2011 for freedom! Hope all are well.

[f1racefan]

Looking for info on types of notching.
Rebuilding a log home from 1867 into a shop.

[panderson03]

welcome to the LHBA forums! sounds like you've got a fun project ahead of you!!!! most of the folks on this site choose to build butt-and-pass style which requires very little notching. not sure you'll get too many answers here but its worth a shot. GOOD luck. Happy building:)

[Mosseyme]

Where in TN, very long state. I-40 milemarker 451 from Memphis to NC

[Grimjack]

We're flying into Nashville on 11-11-10 and we'll be looking in the Waynesboro area.

[MedicallyRetiredPoliceOfficer]

Hello,
I live one county North of Waynesboro and am familiar with the county. I had to retire as a police officer (over 20 years experience) due to epilepsy. Anyway, is there anything I can do to help you. You need info or a contact, just let me know. I will be glad to do all I can to help. My email address is MRose106@aol.com
Mike

[edkemper]

Welcome to the site and thanks for your years of service.

[Grimjack]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the great offer. The wife and I are pretty excited about the trip. How funny that you were a cop. I'm also a cop, been on the job here in California for 16 years. We're interested in rural Tenessee for a few reasons; low crime rates, no State income taxes, good gun laws (as opposed to CA), and of course the land prices are quite a bit lower....We couldnt touch 5 acres out here for under a couple hundred thousand dollars....
Kevin

[raisadan]

[raisadan]

Howdy All !
I'm Dan...I've lived in Washington State most of my live (Olympic Peninsula and Leavenworth area) Anyway, I'm retired now and am building a log house in Russia near the city of Kazan in the southern Volga River area. The walls and roof are up, but no floor or ceilings. In the spring I hope to finish up. I need some advise from someone about basic plumbing, issulation...stuff like that. It gets cold here in the winter...minus -35 for weeks. Can sure use all the advise I can get.... Thanks for reading this.
Regards,
Dan
Kazan,Russia
email: dachniki60@gmail.com (mailto:dachniki60@gmail.com)

[Timber]

you should try and keep your plumbing on inside walls/no outside perimeter plumbing-and try and design your plan to keep bathrooms lined up if second story or kitchen plumbing and bathroom wall back to back so plumbing becomes less costly.
i dont know if you have pex for your water lines but it expands if it freezes rather than breaks.

you should insulate your stem wall--icf--you might still be able to insulate the foundation walls if you have yet to backfill
and even if you have backfilled you could still do the inside of your raised crawl stem if that is your foundation
edit: your best info would be to talk to a plumber over there-as they would know what works in that area
THE SAINT

[jpw]

I'm Jon. Very interested in log cabin building, sawmills, timber framing, and hand hewing. I've done some hand-scribed work and timber framing. I'm intrigued by the building methods described on this site.

Jon
www.peelinglogs.blogspot.com

[Beauty]

I am looking forward to the next class that will be held - especially after reading the post from the woman who was at the most recent class. My fiance thinks i have lost it a little but i've convinced him to come to the next class with me. I am truly looking forward to it:) I am in Philly -but hoping to move up to Jim Thorpe, PA and begin building (after the class) one day very soon...

[StressMan79]

sorry for not welcoming you all individually. I do have a couple of comments:
1) Jon, you named your blogspot "peeling logs"! That may be the least fun part of building. If you want, you can come out to my place and peel some, since your obviously like it so much!
2) Dan, Russia, eh? There has to be a story there. 35 deg below zero is friggin cold!
3) Beauty, you'll do well in the class. I am sure your fiance will take to it after a couple hours. Everything is laid out in such an orderly fashion (you COULD learn everything they teach from the internet, but it would take you years and years. Mostly to sift through the crap and get to the stuff that actually works). Plus the member's side is worth it, even without the class.
-Peter

[Red]

Hello all! I'm Red from MI. I just found the LHBA site and I'm glad I did! We bought a log home built in 1979, but it's all sorts of "unique" and we keep finding things that need to be fixed or updated. I'm happy to have found an experienced group of people to talk to!

[Scoutman]

Welcome Red! The log home you purchased. A B&P? A Kit? How 'bout a pic?


Hello all! I'm Red from MI. I just found the LHBA site and I'm glad I did! We bought a log home built in 1979, but it's all sorts of "unique" and we keep finding things that need to be fixed or updated. I'm happy to have found an experienced group of people to talk to!

[dirtydeeds]

Howdy, i'm Matt from Central TX. Stumbled across this forum on the web & look forward to reading/sharing ideas with everybody. We have property in SW Colorado that we plan on to build a cabin on within the next 7yrs or so, that i would like to do as much on myself as i can. Log work has always fascinated me & I enjoy making log furniture by hand when i have the time. If only i could grow Aspens in the hill country, i wouldn't be limited to cedar! :D

[loghousenut]

Mr Deeds,

Welcome aboard.

PS... So what's wrong with cedars? I'd build with them.

[jestertree]

Dirty... I guess you don't know about the history of Texas and Loblolly pines. There are plenty of great pine trees in Texas in and around Austin all the way to Houston. Cedar trees are indeed everywhere but I've seen better pines in Texas than a lot of places. I will be using all native, local pines to build my house. I'm going to Vegas this weekend to attend the class to get more detailed info. Where in Texas are you located?

[jestertree]

loghousenut is like a shadow of a ghost... Passing ever so gently, like a breeze that dances with the desire of selfless intention!

[dirtydeeds]

Hey, thanks for the welcome fellas. I do know about the pines - not around Austin, but more towards Bastrop & east on from there. They are quit nice! In fact, i have a nice hunk of a stump i snatched up from between the borders of Bastrop & Buscher SP. :cool:
I'm located out in the Wimberley area (about 30miles SW of Austin), nothing wrong with the cedars unless you have bad allergies like i do. Not even in just the pollen, just the particles that come out when skinnin' that dry bark down. I know i know.... I would smart to invest in a pressure washer! Other than that, i love working with cedar. Last long outdoors & has bunches of notches that give each log it's own unique characteristics.

[dirtydeeds]

Also, i suppose an avatar is out of the question on this forum until you hit a certain amount of posts? Noticed when i click on "edit avatar" it doesn't give me an option to add one. Just says "don't display one".

[greenthumb]

Welcome dirtydeeds!

I'd like to see some pictures of your log furniture if you have any(might want to start a new thread for that.)

Thanks,
Andy

[loghousenut]

loghousenut is like a shadow of a ghost... Passing ever so gently, like a breeze that dances with the desire of selfless intention!

Definition... Ghost shadow... "Massless lack of light radiating from the dark side of a spiritual non-mass of protoplasm usually weighing considerably less that 300 lbs."

That doesn't sound like me but I can appreciate quality poetry.



PS... And I haven't had a selfless intention since I was in knee pants! hahhhahhaa

[leoq]

Greetings from West Virginia!!! My name is Leo Quilichini. I just retire from work and currently live in Parkersburg, WV with my wife and our two dogs. We are planning on selling our house and buy 5-10 acres of land. Early next year we would like to attend the classes so that then we could start working on building our "dream home".

[edkemper]

Welcome Leo and bride. This is a great place to re-define or clarify your dreams.

[huntinmup2]

Howdy My name is Rick and we are gettin ready to built a 35'x45' log cabin w/ 6:12 pitch roof... single storey 3 bedroom,,bath and a half

[panderson03]

Welcome Rick. Ohio's beautiful country! read all you can here, and if you're planning on building butt and pass method, take the class. you'll get a LOT of great information on how to do it in the best and cost effective way. using techniques we learned in class we've saved a TON of money and not only on our build. we thought we'd get ahead by going to class with plans in hand, but by the end of the first class day, we'd changed EVERYTHING :) quite a learning experience for us:)

[Francis]

Hi all,

My name is Francis and i come from Quebec in Canada.
I want to build a 30'x30' camp with the butt'n'pass method... i wish i will be able to attend to the LHBA class!

[yellowstone]

hay steve how are you? chris legourd and i ( patricia kennedy) attended the class workshop.we are moving to west yellowstone mt. to build our 30x30 log cabin, but as of now we are still here in the south. we bought the plans right away. you will be happy to know we are building a practice storage shed. i posted some pictures under user name yellowstone.our she is 10x10 and it still looks huge, someone said we could use it for a guest house. i think when we sell it will make a good selling feature for a child's play houe, plus value to the house. loved your class workshop thanks again our logs should be here next week:D

[yosemitegirl]

Hello, my name is Becky and I'm from Tucson, AZ. My dream is to buy 10 acres or so in northern California in order to build a few cabins for myself, my parents & any of my siblings that wish to join us. I'm just working to save up enough money to get the land, and that will probably take a couple of years. I'm planning on taking the LHBA class with my dad once I have enough in savings. My parents & I are really excited about the idea of living in the midst of nature, debt free. I'm trying really hard to think long term & set realistic goals, but the whole process is a little overwhelming.

So anyway, that's my story. I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone, and I'm hoping to draw strength & motivation from everyone's success stories. :)

[logsurfer]

Hello, my name is Becky and I'm from Tucson, AZ. My dream is to buy 10 acres or so in northern California in order to build a few cabins for myself, my parents & any of my siblings that wish to join us. I'm just working to save up enough money to get the land, and that will probably take a couple of years. I'm planning on taking the LHBA class with my dad once I have enough in savings. My parents & I are really excited about the idea of living in the midst of nature, debt free. I'm trying really hard to think long term & set realistic goals, but the whole process is a little overwhelming.

So anyway, that's my story. I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone, and I'm hoping to draw strength & motivation from everyone's success stories. :)

Are you thinking around the Mariposa area? The gateway to Yosemite? We also have scanned around those parts...It's a tall order for sure. Were a few hours outside of that area...It's a challenge indeed to steer clear of GOV. involvement in most of those outlying areas...be sure to do your homework on all facets...It certainly sounds like a beautiful plan...need a roommate? :D
Welcome to the fray...hope to see ya around :)

[yosemitegirl]

Are you thinking around the Mariposa area? The gateway to Yosemite? We also have scanned around those parts...It's a tall order for sure. Were a few hours outside of that area...It's a challenge indeed to steer clear of GOV. involvement in most of those outlying areas...be sure to do your homework on all facets...It certainly sounds like a beautiful plan...need a roommate?
Welcome to the fray...hope to see ya around

Well, originally I was looking in that area, but I realized early on that there was no way I could afford it lol :( So, I'm really just keeping an eye on the entire northern California area for now until I have enough $$ to really jump on anything promising. Honestly, I'm open to any of the southernmost areas of the country as well (can't take snow country lol), but my parents have made it clear that it's California or nothing for them, so....:confused:

But it's nice to know that I'll have some LHBA neighbors in the area...and I may need a roommate after seeing land prices :D

Talk to you soon! :)

[edkemper]

logsurfer,

Since you haven't even had enough time to dry off from your plunge in the class yourself, would you suggest she wait to take the class until she has the savings to buy the land or take the class as soon as you save that much and take what you learn in the class to arrange to find and pay for the land?

I know you've had more than your share of weight on your shoulders lately, but what do you think?

[logsurfer]

Good point Ed...hmmm, I would suggest the latter. We pondered that same thought (at least I did) HA! I would wholeheartedly suggest that book 'Finding and buying your place in the country' Great read and sound advice throughout! We would welcome any fellow Ca folk who we could beg, borrow and pick their brains regarding such an endeavor! YGirl- what are your Parents position on such a journey? Do they include muscles, brains or funds? We would certainly be left to our own on all counts...that's what frightens me the most! :O....To clarify, YES, take the class...read all you can throughout the forums before. Can't even begin to tell you how much that helped before attending class.

[yosemitegirl]

It's funny that you mention that book Logsurfer...I ordered it on Amazon last week & it should be here any day now lol :)

Originally, I was going to take the Vegas class in November, but decided that I would be able to build more momentum by working really hard & saving first. I don't have any debt & I have a small nestegg that I was saving for a home here in Tucson, so I can realistically envision 3 years until I'm in a position to buy.

To answer your question, Logsurfer...my parents are the ultimate homesteader types. They've always wanted to build on acreage, but they started a rather large family & that kind of derailed their plans. This is kind of my plan to take care of them as they hit retirement age, since my dad his whole career working at a small business (translates to no retirement plan) and my mother was a homemaker. He is an incredibly handy guy & can build/fix anything he puts his mind to. He taught me some of his skills, but I'm nowhere close to his level. My dad & I are both pretty tough, so I know we can handle the building part...just not so sure about the red tape :p So my plan is that I buy the property, they sell their house here so that they have the money for their cabin materials, and we all work on each others cabins together. I know this sounds simplistic, but I think we can make it work if I can save up enough (by working a couple of jobs if necessary).

I've been reading these forums obsessively, and honestly I'm starting to get super nervous about Northern California :eek: I had no idea that there was a place more difficult to build than Pima County lol! I completely agree with Logsurfer about needing to find someone who has successfully built in this area so we can pick their brains! :)

[BoFuller]

What is there insistence on CA all about? I lived there for 20 years and could hardly wait to get out. We bought our 40 acres in Northern AZ for 2 main reasons. The lesser of them is that it was hundreds of thousands of dollars cheaper. The major reason was to just get out of CA. :)

[BoFuller]

You're not too much farther away from our place than we are (Seligman area to Mesa is about 220 miles). Add another 100 for Tucson. Come up and see how nice it is up there.

[LogSurfer2]

Hello YosemiteGirl,
The Logsurfer wife here....with my 2 cents ;) Yes, there are plenty of counties in CA that are difficult to say the least....but don't be too afraid. There are a few that are still fairly reasonable and less expensive. Don & I started with the intention of building in these Santa Cruz mountains since we're both from San Jose. BUT we would be spending at least 75K-150K just for land and then at least 25K-35K to get permits and the permission to begin building. That being said, we have decided to expand our search to other counties and areas, maybe even Southern OR. Yes, my family will be very upset with me if I move more than 1 hour away, but I figure they will just have to follow me or vacation with us frequently.

I have been doing plenty of research on CA counties, their regulations, fee schedules and scouring the MLS to put 2+2 together....it takes time, but we have that on our side, since our savings fund is small. Taking the class was key, and will remain our inspiration to keep this dream alive. In the meantime, reading up on buying land, and learning what we can on other building needs; plumbing, electrical, framing and the like. I think this will be enough to keep us striving to save as much as possible and spend as little as possible to keep us going in the right direction.

For land, I've also looked into Property tax default auctions, as well as Billyland.com. It at least helps you to see trends and see why land is priced the way it is. Once you spend some time researching that, you will begin to see the good, the bad, and the great deals. You'll have more confidence as you search for land. You'll get cheaper land if you are up to the tasks of doing your own septic, well, pad clearing, etc. Obviously when those things are already on the land, the price goes up! You can save time or you can save money....

Keep your chin up, you are already WAY ahead of us in many ways, just try to become a member soon....I think that the class will help you with planning & timeline and give you the confidence to know what your next steps should be. Since you already have a nest egg started, the class should be a small dent, assuming you & your dad can share a room & take the class together to save $200. I hope to keep tabs on your progress and would love to see where your dream takes you!

Judy Rainey


It's funny that you mention that book Logsurfer...I ordered it on Amazon last week & it should be here any day now lol :)

Originally, I was going to take the Vegas class in November, but decided that I would be able to build more momentum by working really hard & saving first. I don't have any debt & I have a small nestegg that I was saving for a home here in Tucson, so I can realistically envision 3 years until I'm in a position to buy.

To answer your question, Logsurfer...my parents are the ultimate homesteader types. They've always wanted to build on acreage, but they started a rather large family & that kind of derailed their plans. This is kind of my plan to take care of them as they hit retirement age, since my dad his whole career working at a small business (translates to no retirement plan) and my mother was a homemaker. He is an incredibly handy guy & can build/fix anything he puts his mind to. He taught me some of his skills, but I'm nowhere close to his level. My dad & I are both pretty tough, so I know we can handle the building part...just not so sure about the red tape. So my plan is that I buy the property, they sell their house here so that they have the money for their cabin materials, and we all work on each others cabins together. I know this sounds simplistic, but I think we can make it work if I can save up enough (by working a couple of jobs if necessary).

I've been reading these forums obsessively, and honestly I'm starting to get super nervous about Northern California. I had no idea that there was a place more difficult to build than Pima County lol! I completely agree with Logsurfer about needing to find someone who has successfully built in this area so we can pick their brains! :)

[yosemitegirl]

Hi BoFuller,

It seems like we have the inverse of your situation. My parents have lived in Tucson for 30+ years, and I've lived here most of my life (with a 2 year stint in Yosemite National Park & a 3 month stint in Memphis, TN). At this point we're all looking to get out of the desert/heat & into the green! My parents did actually own some land in Prescott Valley when I was a teenager, but they ended up selling because they had some major water issues (water table has been significantly diminished). I think I'm still looking to recreate those wonderful years spent in Yosemite & my parents just want out of AZ at all costs lol! I will agree that land is much cheaper & it's probably much easier to build in northern AZ, but we're all just really looking to get out of the desert entirely. :p

Logsurfer2,

Thank you so much for the encouraging words! I have also been broadening my search to southern OR, and even some southern states. My parents are not fans of humidity (I'm not really either), so I really don't think that we'll get past the northern CA, southern OR area. I would LOVE to stay in touch with you & keep up with your progress as well, because you really seem to know your stuff :) I fully intend to take the class. But I would be paying for the whole trip & my dad's ticket also, so I'm going to wait a little while on that. This is more about outsmarting my pessimistic self more than anything else (I know that makes no sense, but my mind works in strange ways lol). I will definitely not be buying any land until I take the class, though.

I've looked into property tax defaults in the past, but it was always for homes & never land. They always scared me because you never really knew what you were getting. Maybe it's a little different with land? I will definitely start watching Billyland.com...thanks for the tip!

Btw, I just got "Finding & Buying Your Place in the Country" in today's mail. I know what I'll be reading for the next couple of weeks lol! :p

[Eckasha]

Greetings Steve!
It was great to be part of the course the other week. Though i must say Las Vegas is quite a crazy place which i thought i'd never visit and support. But how could i pass up a chance to attend one of the associations gatherings.
Thank you for putting on a stellar weekend of human empowering home building :)
Until next time,
Polek

[edkemper]

I personally am most surprised that anyone would still want to move into california. I'm born and raised in CA and we're bailing as soon as we are able. 60 years is more than enough.

[BoFuller]

There are places in CA hotter than Tucson (Death Valley, Ridgecrest, etc, etc) and there are places in AZ cooler than Yosemite area (Flagstaff, etc.). I wish you well whever you go, but I say "explore AZ" before you give up on it. I think it has as much or more diverseness as CA and for a fraction of the cost. Just saying.

[logsurfer]

In Ca.'s perhaps only defense...We are heterogeneous, meaning we have as a state 'a little bit of everything' No matter where you live here, you are within a few hours of every possible climate and terrain you could hope for...BUT!!??!! AZ is nice, but it's got no ocean...I for one would miss such scenery...BUT!!!??? I am though in agreement with edkemper on most everything else that CA has to offer these days. Barely clinging to 'middle class' (whatever that means anymore) here is becoming a drag! Don't even get us started on the lawmakers here...I surely use that term lightly....BUT!!?? :D

[loghousenut]

Am I the only one who has noticed that the "State of Jefferson" part of California acts a lot like Southern Oregon except for it's connection with Sacramento.


Don't know what the State of Jefferson is?... Google it.

[logsurfer]

HA! Brilliant!

[jrdavis]

Am I the only one who has noticed that the "State of Jefferson" part of California acts a lot like Southern Oregon except for it's connection with Sacramento.


Don't know what the State of Jefferson is?... Google it.

Yep, bound to be the BEST state in the USA in many an area.
I worked with a guy in Iraq who was from Klamath Falls area. He LOVES it up there and doesn't consider himself in Oregon OR California...."has a t-shirt that most don't understand". The Only State -- Jefferson.

[edkemper]

The only thing you can't find in Ca is a job. The easiest things to find are new taxes, courthouses and unemployment offices.

As for Oregon, if you're not a member of any minority group, you'll be okay.

[SweetLisa]

Hi.
I am a disaster around tools and couldn't even use Lincoln Logs without much frustration!
I am trying to get my husband passionate about building a log house (he was weaned on Bonanza in Wales)--the seeds have been sown, but then he keeps asking me "What kind of logs are used?" "How do they insulate the houses?" and I have NO idea what to tell him, other than, join this forum, I am SURE they have the answers!

We currently live in Germany but have plans to move back to "Merica in 2013, only a year away! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee! Can't wait!

I am in the Navy Reserves, HM1, and my husband is in road construction on the autobahn and can do just about anything handy-man wise.

Nice to see everyone here!

Lisa

[Timber]

i took german in high school cause some joker told me it was easier than habla...what a load of crock! 3 different der die das
oh my gatos!
guten tag LisaSprechen sie deutsch?
Kleider machen Leute

[loghousenut]

Hi.
I am a disaster around tools and couldn't even use Lincoln Logs without much frustration!
I am trying to get my husband passionate about building a log house (he was weaned on Bonanza in Wales)--the seeds have been sown, but then he keeps asking me "What kind of logs are used?" "How do they insulate the houses?" and I have NO idea what to tell him, other than, join this forum, I am SURE they have the answers!

We currently live in Germany but have plans to move back to "Merica in 2013, only a year away! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee! Can't wait!

I am in the Navy Reserves, HM1, and my husband is in road construction on the autobahn and can do just about anything handy-man wise.

Nice to see everyone here!

Lisa


If he halfway likes the idea of building his own home with his own hands you should let him follow his fantasy with a little nudge from you. Schedule the time when you will both be in the States and then you should purchase the LHBA tickets (for both of you) and set up the travel and hotel arrangements and give it all to him as a birthday present. If he's half the man you think he is, you'll have the most romantic birthday evening you've ever shared with him.

Once he's taken the class he'll get tired of answering everyone else's questions about "What kind of logs are used?" and "How do they insulate the houses?". It'll all be so easy for him and it'll all make so much sense to him after he's been to class. He'll join in the forum on his own after class.

You're the Woman. That means you must guide him so he knows which way to direct your future.


http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Rafters9-2010442.jpg

[spiralsands]

My parents have lived in Tucson for 30+ years, and I've lived here most of my life (with a 2 year stint in Yosemite National Park & a 3 month stint in Memphis, TN). At this point we're all looking to get out of the desert/heat & into the green! My parents did actually own some land in Prescott Valley when I was a teenager, but they ended up selling because they had some major water issues (water table has been significantly diminished). I think I'm still looking to recreate those wonderful years spent in Yosemite & my parents just want out of AZ at all costs lol! I will agree that land is much cheaper & it's probably much easier to build in northern AZ, but we're all just really looking to get out of the desert entirely.

When I was doing my land search, I considered all states in the union even AZ because I lived there for several years and I loved it. But when you are going to buy land and plan to stay there you have to very seriously think about what is very important to you. I disqualified AZ and other beautiful places in the west because of the lack of water. Do you want to truck in potable water and store it in a tank? Remote locations don't usually have city water services. Are you going to be able to drill a well in the area? If you are out in the country, what are you going to do there? Raise livestock? Can the land support livestock? Horses? You really have to distill down to what your life is going to be to know where you should go. Everywhere has taxes, some more than others. So I think tax rates are a poor excuse to disqualify a state or region. Do you want to be off grid? Do you have survivalist plans?

For me, independence means being able to survive if the gas pumps are shut down and the grocery shelves go empty. To some, country life is just having a big lawn. Focusing your needs can take a little time. Don't be afraid to research areas you may not have considered. I never thought I would end up in upstate NY but here I am. A 50 state, 3 country search and I found a place that had everything I needed.

Frances

[John W]

Spiralsands, great post.

My grandparents had a cabin in the Adirondacks we went to in the summer growing up. I didn't know how good we had it. Cabin on Lake Simon, (also called Simon Pond, attached to Tupper Lake). So as I look for land, I'm drawn to the Adirondacks. A couple sites out there are http://www.landsofnewyork.com/new_york/ and adkbyowner.com
For everybody out there looking, the "landsof" sites have many, maybe all the states, landsofwisconsin, etc. As expensive as you would think it would be in NY, I search all the time for 25+ acres at $50K or less, and I always get results. Obviously, you're not going to get 25 acres on a LAKE for $50K, but there are some waterfront lots with several acres for reasonable prices. Decent river lots. Another obvious point, many of the cheap acreages have just been logged.

I've made a couple other posts, but am mostly new here. Trying to figure out how to make the dream a reality. It's tough to build in NY, whey you live in San Antonio. : )

[spiralsands]

John W.,

I was living in Florida when I began my land search 6 years ago. I bought my 23.5 acres in Fulton County, southwestern edge of the Adirondacks, in 2006 and didn't actually move here until last December. I took a second mortgage on my FL house and bought the land outright. Have the deed in hand. So my FL house paid for the land because I broke even when I sold the house. I'd come up to camp on it and make plans and it was always frustrating to leave because I already thought of it as home. I took a huge risk last fall when I jumped with both feet out of Florida and up to NY but I pulled it off and I still can't believe it.

NY has snow and deep winters but that is not the majority of the weather. Spring summer and fall are beautiful and producive. Winter will also be welcome because it gives me a respite from all the WORK!! I am not building yet but I am preparing my land to live on. I live only 1 hour away now and can be there every weekend.

BTW, you may not get a lake front, but you may get a pond. I have a pond fed by a constantly running stream that meanders across the property. NY land is still hugely undervalued which is why so many Amish are buying it up.

Frances

[Fuzzyhutch]

Hello all, my name is Hutch and I am located in central Oklahoma. I live in Oklahoma City at the moment, but this spring purchased 80 acres to build my "last home" on. While starting the research into what sort of house I wanted to build I came across the site while looking for log home kits and became very stuck on the ideal of building a "real" log home as opposed to a kit home for all the reasons mentioned on this site.

There is a lot of work to be done (and money to be spent) just getting ready to build. It is going to cost $8000 just to get the electric line run to where I am going to build. I am planning on attending the class in January 12, hopefully I will have my electric in and well drilled by that time so I can start building in the spring.

The acreage has about 15 acres along the front that has been cleared with the remainder being trees although not the sort needed to build a cabin LOL I have built the 3/8 mile road to the building site and have cleared the ride-away for electric lines and the building site itself with a rented dozer.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello and hope to meet some of you at the class in the spring.

Hutch

[StressMan79]

Whoa Hutch.

you can start building the day you get back... but you'll pay retail for everything. If you can afford to wait, you'll get much better deals.

anyway, glad to see you are so gung ho, and look forward to seeing you on the member's side.

-Peter

[Builderguy]

My name is Danny. I see there is a new class in early Jan and I plan to attend that one. I live in Tn. Gonna be building around Dothan AL.

[loghousenut]

Hey Builderguy,

It's good to see that we finally hooked ya. You've been riding that fence for some time now and I was afraid we'd lost you. Can't wait to get you over to the members side of the forum. Get your check in the boss's hands so you can nail your name on a seat at class.

[alaskabound633]

Hi Everyone,
My name is John. I live in Oregon and just bought some property in Alaska.
My plan is to go up for 3 months this summer to lay rock for the road and pad (fish), peel some logs (fish). Then I'll go back to Oregon for the winter, then back to stay and live in Alaska the summer of 2013.
One of my goals is to make it wheelchair accessible so I can bring some friends I have, and some wounded vets up there to fish and experience Alaska.
There is a boardwalk (needs some repair) already going from my property thru State forest to the beach where I can tag my boat out..
I plan on a single level main house with two guest cabins.
The main house will be heated with a outdoor furnace/ boiler. That will also heat the shop, greenhouse and my hot water. I am building my own solar panels from cells off of e-bay. Also building a wind generator. If you go to www.otherpower.com you can see how to do it too.
I plan on a huge fire place that goes right through the main windows, having a door on both sides so it can be used from the inside or the outside.
In the kitchen I want a gas stove plus a earth oven and a open fireplace/ pit.
There are a lot of special features to the place, but they will help me to create lifetime memories for the people who come to visit.

The one main thing is I want to create memories for the people who come to visit. I want them to feel safe and secure. A place of refuge from the world.
Thanks, John

[StressMan79]

John,

Sounds like you have what you want in mind. LHBA will help you determine how to make it a reality. I won't be able to make it up to give you a hand (I have work/my own project), but the handicapped accessibility is great, and I may be calling on you for a weekend, as I am staring down wheelchair boundedness.

Great to have you here and look forward to having you on the member's side.

[edkemper]

John,

> One of my goals is to make it wheelchair accessible so I can bring some friends I have, and some wounded vets up there to fish and experience Alaska.

Now you're talking. Great to have you here. Anything you need help with on wheelchair access let me know. My build will also be accessible for the same reasons. Welcome aboard.

[coffinail]

Hello, Name's Chris. Took the class last month. All set to buy land and start building.

[panderson03]

WOO HOO! glad you took the class, Chris. email Steve or Ellsworth to get your access changed from 'regular user' to 'member'. See you on the members side:)

[Lawnmower]

I'm Lana. I took the November 2011 class. For job reasons, I'm pretty much confined to the Southern California area. I'm hoping to build in the mountains (yes, there really are mountains here!) just north of the city. Judging from some of the other posts from fellow Californians, it sounds like I'm in for quite a ride when it comes to building a log home down here. I keep visiting the pictures of the log home in Big Bear to psyche myself up. My favorite parts of the forums are the pictures of the houses in progress!

[happyquilter]

Hi Everyone, My name is Shari, I'm from Western Washington (state), and I'm signing up for the January 2012 class today. My husband recently retired, and one of our dreams is to build a real log cabin vacation home. We fell in love with log cabins after touring some Forest Service cabins that were for sale. The problem with those is that you don't own the land and they cost $300,000 and up where we want to be - in the Cascades near skiing. We are looking at land either near Snoqualmie Pass or Crystal Mountain, for those of you familiar with the area. I am coming to the class alone to save money, as we are living very frugally now, and because I am the one really bitten by the log cabin bug. However my husband is totally supportive and excited about this too. I am really looking forward to the class, meeting similar people, and learning a lot!

[Tom Featherstone]

Happy Quilt!

Welcome and sign your Husband up to and save yourself even more $ and time by both attending. Read/search the forum posts here on this subject. Most of those that have attended without, wish they would have done so otherwise. You will more than make up for it, by both taking the class. I'll "assume" you've been married for awhile, and anyone married knows how important it is to be on the "same page". Building a home, let alone a log home, is a huge endeavor. If the only reason to go alone is to save money, you won't.

Good Luck and again Welcome, we'll see you on the Members Forum soon!

Best of Wishes,
Tom

[irace2win41]

Ok, here I am. Ellen and I have signed up for the Jan class and have been actively looking for land. Would like to get started before we get too old. I travel a lot for a living and am hoping to make steady progress. Ellen may have to hold up the fort as I travel for business.

Quick background, I'm a retired Air Force Officer now working as a Field Engineer. Ellen is a Cardiac ICU Nurse. We're looking for land towards Pilot Mountain or Rural Hall in NC just above Winston Salem. My work is in Lexington although I call the airport home 80 percent of the time. Have really enjoyed the public portions of the site and am looking forward to the "secret society" LOL.

Have a lot to learn from those that have gone ahead of us. Just hope we haven't bit off more than we can chew.

Thanks for everything and looking forward to Vegas.

Rod and Ellen

[happyquilter]

Hi Tom, Thanks for the advice. We have been happily married 26 years, so I get what you are saying. We usually do well when one person researches something and reports back to educate the other about it. I'm curious why you feel we would "save money" by both attending. It is a huge expense to spend another $1000+ to have the 2nd person attend. I will read the forum posts to see what people say about this. I guess he can always attend later if we think it is necessary. I would love to hear more from you or anyone else on this subject. Thanks! Shari.

[ncgator]

Shari,

Welcome to the forums!

I would have to agree 100% with Tom on this. Even though money is tight for everyone (especially now), I would highly recommend that both of you attend. My wife and I just attended in Nov and there was so much that she got out of attending that will more than recoup the expense. Just reading the notes she took filled in the gaps for me and the same for her from my notes. The only real added expense was the registration, her plane ticket and meals. It was also a nice getaway for us even though we aren't really Vegas fans. Even if your husband cannot attend in Jan, you might encourage him to attend a later class (when they become available) just so that you both have a good foundation (pun intended). Even though we are just starting the journey, the class has helped us to think about planning things a little differently than we were before the trip to Vegas.

Good luck to you and have a great day!

Jim

[panderson03]

hey Shari. having ones spouse attend and report back might work for you but it wouldn't have worked for us. having us both take the class gave us a shared foundation of log home building knowledge. if we hadn't taken it together, there would have been endless questions about how to build, why we build that way, etc. it helped our marriage to have done it together cause we were both on the same page. and Jim's right. we were both in the class together most of the time but our notes looked quite different. my husband focussed his notes on some things and I on others.

[happyquilter]

Good news! I just signed both myself and my husband up for the January class. He now feels it is worth it to both attend. Thanks for all the great advice!

[loghousenut]

Good news! I just signed both myself and my husband up for the January class. He now feels it is worth it to both attend. Thanks for all the great advice!

That's the ticket. It wouldn't have worked any other way in our family. Good to have you two on board. Merry Christmas.

[Tom Featherstone]

Good news! I just signed both myself and my husband up for the January class. He now feels it is worth it to both attend. Thanks for all the great advice!

Congratulations to you both! You both will be sounding the horn here soon. A few more tips.... Be a sponge during the class, absorb as much as possible. Linda took great notes, I'm more of the listen/ visual person. Try to keep your questions to the end of the section, they usually answer them anyway without even asking it. They will answer All your questions. You'll come up with many more after attending, that's where our Members Forum comes into play, this is where this organization is invaluable. See you on the other side soon!

Merry Christmas!
Tom

[panderson03]

Good news! I just signed both myself and my husband up for the January class. He now feels it is worth it to both attend. Thanks for all the great advice!

I'm so glad to hear that Shari!! the 2 of you will enjoy the class and even better you'll have a shared knowledge and foundation for your cabin building journey. Welcome to the family :)

[gamecockmom]

My name is Deb; just joined. My husband and I plan to build our second log home within a few years (our retirement home). We built our first when we were newlyweds. We could use some help from members...we are trying to locate the designer/builder of a log home pictured in the Feb 2012 issue of Log Home Living. It's the featured picture in an article on page 52 "Savvy Planning." This home is exactly what we're looking for. If any one knows the company that designed this home or any type of log home similar would you please pass along the info? Thanks so much!

[edkemper]

Mom,

You're speaking of a Kit, manufactured log home. You may want to read our site and read why we don't support kit homes. Welcome to our site and I/we hope you'll stick around and read what we are all about and perhaps, you will understand why we do what we do.

[TW WA]

My names Tom. I recently moved to Spokane WA area from the Seattle area. I was signed up for the January Class, but had to back out right before due to an issue that popped up at work. Just got the good news that the next class will be in March and I am already signed up.

I was attracted to LHBA by John Koenig (Johnny Coho or The Koenig's here on the forum). I have been a long time customer of John and his Fishing Guide business and was able to see the progress on his place from a pile of logs spread out over his land drying to the Beautiful place him and his wife own now. When I was over in December fishing with him we toured his house afterwards. Not sure if all of the other member homes featured in the Gallery Section look as good in person, but the Koenig's sure does. In fact it looks even better then the pictures in real life.

Looking forward to taking the class and getting started on this adventure!

Tom

[happyquilter]

Hi Tom, My hubby and I just took the class this month. You will love it! It is well worth the money spent.

Shari

[houndog1970]

My name is Lonnie, I just signed up for the class in march. I bought 3 acres this last year after I found the LHBA website and solidified the fact that my dream was possible. I am eager to get things rolling with the whole process. I have dreamed about this most of my life so there isnt a whole lot that I havent already figured out as far as what I want to build. The solar aspect seems to constantly grow as far as options so that is one area that is uncertain. I dont want a big one so my build will be simple and (should be) fairly easy. I look forward to picking all available brains for info on the members side when I can get over there. Until then I will be content to just ask what I can on this side. Thanks to all in advance and I look forward to meeting all possible in the future....

[some_guy]

Hello!

I have 21 acres of untouched forest-land in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. I'm sure you don't have to guess too hard what I'm hoping to do with it ;) . I'd like to start building something within the next 5 years. (I'm 37, so I figure I've got some wiggle room on that.) I won't be able to attend a class this year, but i'm hoping to get some ideas about what I can be doing in the mean-time to be as prepared as I can be.

Thanks!

[edkemper]

some_guy,

First off let me say it's nice to meet a young man with his head screwed on right. Welcome.

Now as to what we can offer so you can get ready? Take the class. Stop planning anything except how to get to the class. You already have the most important part. No matter how much planning you do now, all of your plans will change once you take the class. Save your pennies and every twenty you can hoard. While you're waiting, read every post you have access to on this board.

Now to the serious side, I think you should just give up and give me your land. My family is from Charlotte/Ashville area. I'd take really good care of it for you. <smile>

The most important thing for you to do at the moment is save and read. You're already ahead of the game. With pretty surroundings.

[some_guy]

I can take no credit for my head being screwed on right. I was raised by my grandparents, and I guess after having to tear it off so many times, they figured they might as well screw it back on correctly.

Thanks for the point in the right direction. I figured that's what the answer would be, but I thought I would check just in case. I will certainly avail myself of the posts I have access to, It's just hard to wait (i'm sure that's a common feeling around here.)

Sadly, I'll have to decline your offer to take my land off of my hands (Unless of course you have a bridge or something somewhere you'd be willing to trade for it ;) ) It is a pretty place though. About 20 or so minutes from the Nantahala National Forest.

[ssrusticlogdream]

Hi everyone. My name is Shaina and my husband's James. We are 22 and 23 respectively, got married a little over a year ago, and have no children. We both really love the off the beaten path living and would prefer to live in our own little wooded paradise, with no neighbors, and lots of room to do as we please. We always knew we wanted to live in a log home, its our dream and until recently had been looking into log home kits. I fell in love with one design, and we seriously considered buying it. The only thing is, whenever I thought about how much that house was going to cost us and how much our monthly payments were going to be for the next 30 years, it made me sick to my stomach. We tried to estimate how much it would be if we did most of the extra work required instead of hiring it done, and it was still awful. I came across the LHBA website, and immediately fell in love. My husband and I hope to move to the Black Hills area of South Dakota within the next 6 months, and have found 20+ acres of land we are looking into buying. We are saving money and hope to attend the class the end of this year or beginning of next. We are both very young, but have less than $10,000 in debt (which is mostly student loans), which we have the means to pay off quickly. The aspect of no 30 year mortgage is very thrilling. Don't get me wrong, we know this will be A LOT of HARD WORK, but James and I believe we can do this ourselves, and we are no strangers to hard work. It is very nice to find other people who still believe that hard work, determination, and a little luck can accomplish big things. We look forward to the class and meeting people who can help us accomplish our dream.

[WornOut]

Leaving later today for a run to look at sevral 20a and up parcels myself myself yet this afternoon. Well, by time I get there it'll be morning. ;-)
Custer, Deadwood and a couple just south of Rapid City.
Some nice parcels all around there and with the economy weak yet I imagine more to come in next year. If one wants to venture further west Montana has loads for sale cheaper and more isolated yet.
You 2 are so young .... lots of time to find the right fit for you. Happy hunting

[panderson03]

welcome Shaina. sounds like you'll fit in well here:) read all you can on this site. there's a lot of great information there. I LOVE the Black Hills. SO beautiful and pretty balmy in the winter:)

[loghousenut]

Welcome aboard folks. Looks to me like ALL of you have your head screwed on straight!

Sure wish I'd started when I was your age.

[houndog1970]

Welcome aboard folks. Looks to me like ALL of you have your head screwed on straight!

Sure wish I'd started when I was your age.

thanks.... I was beginning to get a complex from eds comment.... lol

[edkemper]

Just remember, some of us grew up when it took training to learn to use that black thing on the counter that was connected to the wall. Many years before they even offered seat belts in cars or A.M. radios w/1 speaker as standard equipment. Back when people were still living in log cabins. Wait, what just happened? :D

[irace2win41]

Welcome to the fun!!

We took the class in January and I want to echo what others have said. Take the class first and then you can know the right direction to take after that. A lot of our thinking changed after taking the class. If you have a wife get her to the class with you. Ellen and I attended together and I'm so grateful we did. Now I can call home when I'm on the road and ask: "Honey, do you have the walls up yet?" ;)

I'm in the Winston Salem area. Stay in touch and get to the class. It is well worth the money spent!!

Rod


Hello!

I have 21 acres of untouched forest-land in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. I'm sure you don't have to guess too hard what I'm hoping to do with it ;) . I'd like to start building something within the next 5 years. (I'm 37, so I figure I've got some wiggle room on that.) I won't be able to attend a class this year, but i'm hoping to get some ideas about what I can be doing in the mean-time to be as prepared as I can be.

Thanks!

[Swannytheswan]

My name is Ben I am looking for prop. in Western WA. I really want a log home but finances are tight. I am trying to decide if I should buy a stick built home now and save for a bigger property to build my log home on. I'm 28 so I figure I got some time to get my home built but I'm impatient. I haven't taken the class yet and will be saving to be able to soon.

[spiralsands]

My name is Ben I am looking for prop. in Western WA. I really want a log home but finances are tight. I am trying to decide if I should buy a stick built home now and save for a bigger property to build my log home on. I'm 28 so I figure I got some time to get my home built but I'm impatient. I haven't taken the class yet and will be saving to be able to soon.

Ben, if you buy a stick built home, most of your hard earned money will end up going to the bank's profit as mortgage interest instead of to your savings like it should. I don't know how you are living now, whether there is a family or not, but if I were you, I would stash your cash for YOU and temper my impatience by knowing that I'm not enriching the banking industry. Pay YOURSELF, not them.

Frances

[ronwoodcraft]

Hello, My name is Ron, Have a couple of acres in the Oregon Cascade Mountains. Bought the bare property 10 years ago, and put in a small wood shop, and a trailer house, to be used as a temporary living quarters which I am still living in. :( My wife and I had planned on beginning construction of a small log house this spring, but I lost her to breast cancer last summer.

I still hope to get started someday. I'm not new to the handcrafted log home business. My family and I built a log home in Idaho, and I worked for a while as a handcrafter for Oregon Log Homes, and a couple of other places. Also have made lots of artistic rustic furniture. Heres a picture of the pumphouse I built 10 years ago. Built from windfall logs that were on the property. I took the picture recently.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/ronwould/IMG_34841_1_2_3_tonemapped.jpg

[rkissinger]

Nice to meet you Ron, So sorry for your loss, hope you are grieving well and able to start putting the pieces back together. You've stumbled onto just the organization you need right now. If you decide to take the class and join us you won't regret it. It will be difficult for someone with your experience to readjust to our way of thinking (my dad took the class with me after spending most of his life in construction including many log buildings, and you know what they say about old dogs and new tricks), but there are very good reasons we do things the way we do. I am currently working on my house in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon. I would love to have yet another OR member to network with, there are a few of us actively building right now, I for one would be happy to help you achieve your dream in any way I can. Your pump house is beautiful, you obviously have the skill to build. If you need a network of people to help, and a proven system to build the strongest, cheapest, and simplest house for your money, you've found it. Hope to see you one the other side someday.



Hello, My name is Ron, Have a couple of acres in the Oregon Cascade Mountains. Bought the bare property 10 years ago, and put in a small wood shop, and a trailer house, to be used as a temporary living quarters which I am still living in. :( My wife and I had planned on beginning construction of a small log house this spring, but I lost her to breast cancer last summer.

I still hope to get started someday. I'm not new to the handcrafted log home business. My family and I built a log home in Idaho, and I worked for a while as a handcrafter for Oregon Log Homes, and a couple of other places. Also have made lots of artistic rustic furniture. Heres a picture of the pumphouse I built 10 years ago. Built from windfall logs that were on the property. I took the picture recently.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/ronwould/IMG_34841_1_2_3_tonemapped.jpg

[kaster]

Hi guys! Glad to be here and really enjoy these forums.

I'm a real estate agent in San Jose, Ca with dreams of buying some land this year in Southern Oregon, or along the Sierras in Ca and eventually building a log cabin/homestead on the land.

P.S. My condolences Ron, very sorry to hear that.

[ottodog]

Sorry for your loss Ron...

God Bless, Chris

[chokonen888]

Hey everyone, I'm a youngin' from Los Angeles (currently residing in Tokyo) and due to alot of factors (land/construction is insanely overpriced here, insurance is a joke, construction is a joke, earthquakes, radiation, etc.) I don't plan on being a homeowner in Japan in the near future. The past few years when back in the states, visiting, I decided I wanted to make my home up near Lake Arrowhead (gotta love how you can most business can be handled from home/online nowadays) and have been checking pricing on homes up there. Designing your own home is fairly common in Japan (though constructing it yourself is almost unheard of) and I liked the idea....though it wasn't until I came across LHBA til I was sold on the idea. Now I'm checking pricing on lands/lots in the area I want :D From the few days of reading I've done so far, I am thinking to buy a good plot of land with lake view and build a simple 30x30 cabin that can be modified and added onto over the years. (Possible basement with two stories on top) My only concern is the size of the land available varies from small to extremely small. (compared to what some of you guys have to work with) Is it wishful thinking to think I can pull this off? haha

[sdart]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum! Lake Arrowhead is in San Bernardino county, I think? Before you buy land, check out what kind of permits the county would require and how much they cost. California can be very expensive for permits in comparison to many other states. As for the size of the land parcel, remember that you will need a place to store your logs while building and room to maneuver around the building site.
Sarah

[crayon]

Hello all. American citizen currently living in Switzerland and moving back to California to start a new job and, hopefully, get my mom (who still lives in Alaska) to come and live with us (due to my father passing last year). Used to live in Seattle and never got around to taking this class when I was up there. Now that I'm going to be back in the SF Bay area (again) I'm looking forward to finding some piece of land in Truckee maybe and building a place where we can all go and hang out in the summer or as a base to ski from in the winter. Kind of got hooked on the whole log home idea way back when I was sixteen and floating down he Forty Mile River in Alaska as part of a Youth Conservation Corps team. You are really out in the middle of nowhere there and at one point we came around this bend in the river and there was this great log house sitting there (not some abandoned miner/hunter cabin). It always stuck in my head. Anyway, I actually don't get back to the US until the first week of April so, unfortunately, I can't take the class in March otherwise I would. Hoping they don't have the dreaded '5 years between classes' as is mentioned. That would be kind of...not good. :-)

[StressMan79]

888, you'll want a minimum of 1 usable acre around your home for staging, maneuvering, etc. Log Home ppl want privacy, so if selling it is even a possibility, 5 acres + is required.

There is at least one member building in Japan right now. his place is GORGEOUS. It can be done even in cm/tonne/etc.

[Plumb Level]

Hi Ron - welcome. Sorry to hear of your loss.

That pumphouse photo looks like it belongs on a postcard.

[Danita]

Hi Everyone! I'm Danita, a Grandma from North Louisiana! I just signed up for the March class!! I have been wishing and hoping and trolling LHBA for almost 10 years!! Finally! Whew!:D Well, I just wanted to say "Hi"! I'm going over to dance with the new ones that have just signed up for the new class. I'll be back....

[panderson03]

Hi there Danita! welcome. so happy you've decided to join us:)

[marronnin]

Wow, Danita... you win in the lurking contest. ;) We'll see you in Vegas!!

[Mosseyme]

Some_guy
There are several builds ongoing in the smoky mountain area.
take the class and join us. We would welcome a youngun round here.

[Mosseyme]

Some_guy
There are several builds ongoing in the smoky mountain area.
take the class and join us. We would welcome a youngun round here. We are out of Murphy.

[Danita]

Thanks, I'm a great example of never giving up on my dreams!

[chokonen888]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum! Lake Arrowhead is in San Bernardino county, I think? Before you buy land, check out what kind of permits the county would require and how much they cost. California can be very expensive for permits in comparison to many other states. As for the size of the land parcel, remember that you will need a place to store your logs while building and room to maneuver around the building site.
Sarah

Yep, that's the area. The "California Log home" on here is in neighboring Big Bear so it's definitely possible...as to how much of a headache and $$$, definitely need to research it.


888, you'll want a minimum of 1 usable acre around your home for staging, maneuvering, etc. Log Home ppl want privacy, so if selling it is even a possibility, 5 acres + is required.

There is at least one member building in Japan right now. his place is GORGEOUS. It can be done even in cm/tonne/etc.

Hmmm, most of the reasonably priced lots are around 0.2~0.5 Acres. I guess there is also the possibility of buying larger land with a small home on it already and living there as I slowly build. One quick question...if 1 Acre is the minimum for staging, what would the minimum be if hiring a builder that had all the needed equipment? As far as privacy goes, not a whole lot up there if you want land with lake rights...even less if you want a lake view. BUT, the upside is the proximity to LA and the local community has quite a lot of good stuff going for it.

[chokonen888]

Forgot to mention, although I was planning on the March class, I just had something thrown at me on that exact weekend here in Japan :( Any idea when the next class will be?

[Taz]

Another newb here who just today got turned on to this site by my BIL-matter of fact I have been on his computer for the last day reading.
I just signed up for class notifications as I also am unable to do the March class but excited to catch one soon.
No versions of grandios size and 800-1000sf and loft so imagine 1200-1400 sf tops. No land yet and been looking for a year. Northern MN - WI - MI been in my search.
I know there is a recession going on but the people selling don't seem to know that. lol Crazy prices like they were in 2006 and 2007 remain on everything I want. The "want" may be changed if this continues.
Name's Taz - or nickname anyway. I was pretty wild when young like a Tazmanian devil I''m told. It stuck

[panderson03]

Hey Taz, welcome to the LHBA site! glad you're here. after you take the class, come visit our build and give us a hand. we can always use help! we're we're building in northern mn. got the 36x36 garage under roof last year (will be finishing getting it weather-tight this building season) and will be stacking logs on the cabin this year too. So we DEFINITELY need the help:)

[Jim McKenzie]

Ok, here is mine.

I'm just about to turn 59. I've moved to Massachusetts again (this time Cape Cod) to finish out my careeer. I'm an IT guy, a Chief Information Officer and work in a suit all day...just the type of guiy to build a log cabin.

But I've always wanted to live in one....now to retire in one. I'm getting ready to start looking for land, probably in the western Mass, New Hampshire and Vermont areas. Somewhere near Lake Winnipesaukee would be ideal.

I have no carpenter, electrician, plumbing or other handyman skills and the thought of building a cabin frankly both excites and terrifies me. I'd like to be "done" with it in about five years, so I think my timeline may be good. Need to take Skip's class first before I do anything, but start a new job Monday with no vacation for 90 days. Hopefully an East Coast class if they are still run occasionally.

I''ve been lurking and reading quite a bit, and looked at a slew of the blogs. Very impressed with the homes the students have built.

[Cruiser]

Jim,

Welcome! Don't worry about not having the experience, most here didn't have any or very little before building. It can be overwhelming to think about doing this yourself. The key is to look at the build in steps. If you break it down that way, its not so intimidating. It is a lot of work, but enjoyable work, well at least most of it. :) Your 5 year time frame will work perfectly without rushing you at all. We are glad to have you on board and look forward to hearing from you more often.

[Timber]

Hello, My name is Ron, Have a couple of acres in the Oregon Cascade Mountains. Bought the bare property 10 years ago, and put in a small wood shop, and a trailer house, to be used as a temporary living quarters which I am still living in. :( My wife and I had planned on beginning construction of a small log house this spring, but I lost her to breast cancer last summer.

I still hope to get started someday. I'm not new to the handcrafted log home business. My family and I built a log home in Idaho, and I worked for a while as a handcrafter for Oregon Log Homes, and a couple of other places. Also have made lots of artistic rustic furniture. Heres a picture of the pumphouse I built 10 years ago. Built from windfall logs that were on the property. I took the picture recently.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/ronwould/IMG_34841_1_2_3_tonemapped.jpg

that picture looks to good to be real, you must have some photography skills,love the black n white