Introduce yourself

**panderson03** · 01-21-2015, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by loghousenut

Phil, you are too old.

don't listen to Mr Nut. He's a NUT!!
you are not too old. there are many on this site older than you pursuing this crazy, wonderful, lifechanging dream!
welcome aboard Phil

**Mosseyme** · 01-21-2015, 09:48 AM

Not to old but my best advise to you would be to get to the class sooner than later to make your research more productive to the final project. We are 66 and 63 and doing stuff no one should do. You have 3 years to get all that research done, finalize where and what you want to build. [what may even change after you start] collect tools, help on members builds for experience, and be ready to hit it hard when you retire so as not to waste a lot of time with the planning. Good luck.

**phorvath** · 01-22-2015, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by panderson03

don't listen to Mr Nut. He's a NUT!!
you are not too old. there are many on this site older than you pursuing this crazy, wonderful, lifechanging dream!
welcome aboard Phil

I know that I am going to enjoy this whole process! It's great to have a plan for the future. I just checked the flights from Memphis, TN via Travelocity and Expedia. I came up with the lowest at $787 for the flight including the hotel and a car. I will need to book this for the next class in May 2015 very soon. Does everyone book a car or do they take a cab? My chosen hotel is on the Strip and probably close to Harrah's. A cab would be cheaper, of course.
I'm presently checking out tool prices (draw knives etc.) and also ways to get the timber from the woods assuming that is the source to the building site. I just learned about a "log arch." I also found a student's house that I like. I think it was called Ravensdale. I'm even looking into the possibility of recycled barnwood floors!
Thanks for the welcome. I look forward to meeting some of you at the class and also by my helping you out on your build!
Phil

**GreenEyes** · 01-22-2015, 07:26 AM

Class was at Harrah's when we attended. We stayed there, too, and also found a deal for their buffet on the Harrah's website when we made reservations. Didn't rent a car, took taxi from and to airport.

**hotshotrucking** · 01-22-2015, 08:07 AM

I booked thru Southwest Airlines, my class is at the Flamingo and got the whole package air/nonstop, transportation from airport to hotel 3 nights then transportation back to airport, don't think there's much of a need for a rental car as its all right there on the strip. Shop around, once you book your class they'll send you some helpful tips. Good Luck

**phorvath** · 01-22-2015, 12:48 PM

Thanks, I needed that. You sound like you would be a good knowledge resource.
Phil

**stamic55** · 01-22-2015, 03:08 PM

My buddy and i took a cab/shuttle from the airport. Took the train from hotel to class. We rented scooters one day to explore. We rented a jeep another day to visit red rock and grand canyon.

**rreidnauer** · 01-22-2015, 04:18 PM

I stayed at the Monroe Motel, rented a car to explore a bit, and hiked to the top of Wallace Falls the day before class.
Oops! Wrong class location.

**Mosseyme** · 01-22-2015, 04:39 PM

We took the wrong class location to and stayed at the Wallace lodge. Wish it still happened there for you new guys but probably saves a bunch of money for most folks to fly to Vegas.

**BoFuller** · 01-22-2015, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by Mosseyme

We took the wrong class location to and stayed at the Wallace lodge. Wish it still happened there for you new guys but probably saves a bunch of money for most folks to fly to Vegas.

If you don't mind a 3 hour drive, you can stay at my build site. 😜

**Mosseyme** · 01-22-2015, 09:48 PM

Hey now there is an offer that would be worth a very long drive. What a load of awesome for a few newbees to get a gander at.

**panderson03** · 01-23-2015, 07:34 AM

you guys are so funny!
now don't go confusing the newbies

**GreenEyes** · 01-23-2015, 07:58 AM

When we first found the LHBA website (probably 2004), it mentioned classes in Washington state. Think we had priced airfare, hotel, and car rental, which would have been necessary. Later we saw classes mentioned in Las Vegas, which wasn't our kind of place, and thought we'd rather take the class in Washington state or almost anywhere else. Didn't realize at the time that Skip had died and there would be no more classes at his house. I don't remember for sure, but was probably much less expensive (for flight and lodging) taking the class in Vegas when we finally got around to it in 2011. Saw one show that was pretty cool while we were there, but didn't do anything else other than the class and meals. Vegas is still not the kind of place this small-town Christian country girl enjoys, but the class was awesome! Definitely worth the trip.

**phorvath** · 01-24-2015, 01:29 PM

Hello loghousenut!
Sorry I don't know your name yet.
I have a question for you. Once someone purchases a piece of land and are about to start construction, what have the student members done about finding a place to live? Do they rent a place in the nearest town or lease an RV? I have seen office construction trailers for rent but nothing offered for living in on the construction site.
Thanks and have a great day!
Phil

**rocklock** · 01-24-2015, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by phorvath

Once someone purchases a piece of land and are about to start construction, what have the student members done about finding a place to live?

We recommend living on the property but how is a very individual answer... I bought a travel trailer and just sold it for $1.00 There are several that bought a mobile home for very little or free. And then there are some that require more amenities and accoutrements. We have taken hot showers at neighbors, camp grounds, relatives, pot bathes and now an outdoor shower that is indoors.

To me, the most important things in order are 1. a toilet that flushes 2. a good bed to keep warm. 3. place to keep cold stuff (beer, milk,etc.) 4. A hot shower. 5. a stove and oven 6. a freezer. 7. A sink with a drain 8. A good chair to relax and a table and coaster for your hot or cold beverage. 9. a place to keep stuff out of the weather but handy enough to get too and of course reliable transportation.

Keep in mind, your life pardner must agree or be willing to accept the challenges as they are presented... Not all are ready to do this stuff.

I am reminded of our relatives in the far past that had none of these things. Building a log home is not for the faint of heart at any time...

**StressMan79** · 01-24-2015, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by rocklock

Keep in mind, your life pardner must agree or be willing to accept the challenges as they are presented... Not all are ready to do this stuff.

Indeed

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Forum Runner

**panderson03** · 01-24-2015, 07:07 PM

rocklock makes some great points
we waste a lot of time traveling from home to build site

**loghousenut** · 01-24-2015, 07:33 PM

We bought a chunk of property that had an ugly trailer on it that had been a rental. It was kinda nasty and smelled like Pitbull pee but we redid the carpet and painted over a lot of cigarette smell and finally got the thing livable enough to suffice as temporary quarters till we got the log house done. Then we raised our Son as we argued about finances and how big the log house oughta be and whether to get a legal building permit or not and suddenly, 16 years later, we started the house.

If you and the Boss are the kind of people who can plan a three day work trip to the property, and be sure to take along all the right tools and hardware, as well as camp gear, etc... Well you folks may be organized and driven enough to build a log home from a distance.

I am relaxed, forgetful, and lazy and I really like living right here on the property. When I am done for the day, I set my tools down and walk away, leaving the dog to guard them. I suggest you find a happy medium between my relaxed building plan and the 6 month (divorce) plan.

If your dream property is somewhere where you don't want to live, then why build a log home on it? If it is where you want to live but you need temporary housing, then I really like the ugly trailer idea. It has to be cheap enough to be disposable and large enough to get the job done for as long as it takes to build that house.

Both spouses have to be more than 100% in agreeance on every aspect of this temporary living situation. No house is worth a divorce.

Signed Porky... er, I mean, Ron

**Mosseyme** · 01-24-2015, 07:35 PM

We travel 7-8 hrs round trip but have 2 weeks off at times due to job sharing. We built a 10x12 tool shed then turned it into a camp shack and added a 10x14 porch on the front where we put in a kitchen sink and propane 3 burner stove. We just got a hot shower a little over a year ago after almost 15 yrs of camping here. We were here many years before we started the log home journey. We still have portajohns set up and we leave a pretty decent home to come and camp here and are never ready to leave and go back to the other life. Hot shower is really good especially since the water comes out of the creek and is very cold.
Some have bought property with a negative value mobile home and fixed it up enough to live in. Lots of strokes for different folks.

**rreidnauer** · 01-25-2015, 05:31 AM

Yep. I was doing the eight hour round trip too, until I finally got layed off from my job. Moved right out to the property, into an RV I was preparing to live in. (septic wasn't quite done when I moved, but had water, power, and heat sorted) Cost of living is really low, and you're right at the site to get as much done as possible.

**Little Eagle** · 01-25-2015, 04:49 PM

Hello everyone i am very very new to this site and have yet to get a chance to go to the class (which i hope i can do quite soon), So for now i will just be happy with posting here and learning as much as i can. I was reading the post about where to live, i guess in a way i have a advantage, as i am a truck driver, in the same breath a disadvantage as in i do not come home but for a few days a month. I always wanted to comment on the hot shower, if you have a truck stop on your way in or out a shower is only about 12 dollars. Or with a rewards cards says from a loves or pilot you can gain showers through the purchase of fuel. I hope i can learn as much as i can and even more when i can get to the class. I have loved logs home since i was a kid, always thought they felt so warm and inviting.

**Mosseyme** · 01-25-2015, 05:02 PM

Welcome Little Eagle, a lot of reading available before class.

**Little Eagle** · 01-25-2015, 07:57 PM

Thank you very much Mossey!

**hotshotrucking** · 01-26-2015, 06:04 AM

Getting back to Little Eagles comment about the showers at truck stops, a good investment for anyone besides a cell phone if your traveling distances between home & builds a CB can also be helpful, many drivers like myself are home everyday but as we fuel up we earn points towards purchases and free showers which do expire within a few weeks, we fuel every other day so I build up some. These are commonly given away at the truck stops and rather than asking drivers as they exit a person could ask on the CB, might sound funny but most drivers are the nicest people you'll meet unless you cut over in front on them and apply the brakes/lol.
Welcome aboard Little Eagle whats your 20?

**Little Eagle** · 01-26-2015, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by hotshotrucking

Getting back to Little Eagles comment about the showers at truck stops, a good investment for anyone besides a cell phone if your traveling distances between home & builds a CB can also be helpful, many drivers like myself are home everyday but as we fuel up we earn points towards purchases and free showers which do expire within a few weeks, we fuel every other day so I build up some. These are commonly given away at the truck stops and rather than asking drivers as they exit a person could ask on the CB, might sound funny but most drivers are the nicest people you'll meet unless you cut over in front on them and apply the brakes/lol.
Welcome aboard Little Eagle whats your 20?

Im out in Cali about to be headed back to Lebanon, TN. How about you Hotshot? As far as the CB that is also a very good idea, and most drivers are very nice, like you said unless you cut me off and hit your brakes lol!

**phorvath** · 01-26-2015, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by stamic55

My buddy and i took a cab/shuttle from the airport. Took the train from hotel to class. We rented scooters one day to explore. We rented a jeep another day to visit red rock and grand canyon.

I see that you are from Pennsylvania. I grew up outside of Philadelphia in Oreland, PA and Flourtown, PA. I spent a lot of my time in Fairmont Park along the Wissahicken Creek also up in Chestnut Hill.
I am now living in Mississippi working for a utility down here. I plan to book the May 30 -31, 2015 class but it will have to be after I get my 2014 Federal Income Tax (theft) forms in. I will book as soon as I can. I just hope there will be a seat open for me.
Where did you take the train from to your class? Where are you in Pennsylvania?
Have a great day!
Phil

**phorvath** · 01-26-2015, 12:15 PM

Hello Little Eagle.
I will be signing up for the May 30, 2015 class in Vegas. I'm still researching everything including solar panels, batteries, generators, inverters, submersible pumps, composting toilets, Alladin Lamps etc., so that I can spend my retirement as close as possible off the grid. I love log cabins too. I've been following the land prices in Montana as well as Alaska for some time now. I still think for me Montana would be better. I want to buy 20 acreas if I can. Prices are reasonable.

I hope to meet you soon. You guys driving out there do a great job for us! Thanks!
Best Luck,
Phil

**Little Eagle** · 01-26-2015, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by phorvath

Hello Little Eagle.
I will be signing up for the May 30, 2015 class in Vegas. I'm still researching everything including solar panels, batteries, generators, inverters, submersible pumps, composting toilets, Alladin Lamps etc., so that I can spend my retirement as close as possible off the grid. I love log cabins too. I've been following the land prices in Montana as well as Alaska for some time now. I still think for me Montana would be better. I want to buy 20 acreas if I can. Prices are reasonable.

I hope to meet you soon. You guys driving out there do a great job for us! Thanks!
Best Luck,
Phil

Well thank you very much Phil! I hope i can have the cash to make the class but right now im quite tight on money. I lived in montana for 13 years, most of it was in three forks, worked in bozeman at the town and country foods and bears stove and spa for a few years. The spa job got me to big sky a lot working on peoples hot tubs. I also worked in a lumber yard right outside three forks headed toward logan on the frontage road, dont even know if they are still there. I remember my boss asking me what the temp was one day before work, i looked and said -30, he said oh well we will show up 30 mins later then normal. whooo hoooo lol