Outdoor showers

I want an outdoor shower... not sure just how much I'd use one, but maybe a lot and our guests may well use it a lot too, at the very least to rinse off sand and stuff it would be cool. I'm thinking it would be easy to plumb for one if we built a small enclosure off of the back of the yurt, on the ground with a grid platform for drainage. We could just run the hot and cold out from underneath the bathroom area along one side of the yurt. I like the above pic with the bamboo screening for privacy. And of course, that's what Tom would look like showering outdoors once he lives in Hawaii and grows his hair long. (grin)

Yurt colors

Hmmmm, thinkin about exterior colors for the yurt.... I'm wondering if dark colors will make it hot inside. I'm also wondering if light colors will show mildew and stains over the years and make it look nasty. And I guess another consideration is that I don't really like the lighter colors. Above is my favorite combination so far from Colorado Yurt Co

Just bought the book!

And now excitedly awaiting its arrival. Yurts:Living in the Round by Becky Kemery! I'll let ya'll know what it's like.

Yurt platform considerations

Well, first of all one doesn't need to have a raised platform, a yurt can certainly sit directly on the ground, either on wood, or cement platform, or even some of the new designs have a tent like floor. But in tropical climate, as well as many other climates, it's best to build the platform up.

There are several reasons behind to build up, better and more air circulation (not only for heat control but also to help control moisture), less bugs (especially centipedes!), room for storage or a first floor underneath (in our case we want to frame in a small lockable storage shed underneath which will take up less build able sq footage on our small lot), better possible view (depending upon which lot we get), easier access to plumbing and other issues underneath, hmmm what positives am I forgetting.

A couple negatives that I can see is that it will be more expensive, heck if we're building up then we want a large deck to live outdoors on, have an outdoor BBQ area and to put our little Ohana on (a tent with cushy mattress for guests :-) Also, more maintenance of the platform and deck with regular treating and finishing. We would most likely only have stairs, does this matter to us at age 45, we keep the yurt to old age, will we have handicap friends come to visit, who knows at this point, but I can see keeping the height within reason for a possible ramp - ya neva know! I'm sure we will have to pay someone to do the platform and deck (which will be all in one) as we do have family and friends that have the skills, but the logistics of getting them out there during the time we need it done - not likely.

Just how high up off the ground, well that takes some consideration. One thing I'm thinking is that I would like it to be easy enough to access underneath without crawling. Thomas' knees are bad and it's hard for him to crawl to work on stuff underneath, so the idea of a "crawl space" is out. Also, I don't want it so low, small and cozy that it encourages rodents, pigs and other feral animals - especially cats! Just ends up being a gross mess! So, I'm thinking I'd like it at least 4 ft up, not sure however, I'm open to suggestions.

All good things to ponder......

A brief article written by Delia Montgomery regarding yurt platform design can be found at http://feelgoodstyle.com/2009/09/26/yurt-living-platform-design-options/

And... that's where I lifted the pic from as well (thanks Delia!)

And further, is it too much to ask that one could edit the spacing properly on this damn blog website!!

Resources

There a several your manufacturing companies, and several styles of yurts. I'm not going to detail all of this info as its readily available on the Internet and I've already made the decision about the company I'm going with http://www.coloradoyurt.com/.

Some recent resource finds are going to be really helpful:

1. http://www.yurtsofhawaii.com/ can help with drafting, consulting, permit process, construction and setup just to name a few benefits. At first I thought why would I need help with this, I can weed through it all and enlist help and find subcontractors. Now I'm thinking it's difficult to handle all of this from across the ocean, with limited time, and with limited visits. So, will probably be working with them in some form.

2. http://chiceco-yurtliving.blogspot.com/ This is a blog written by Delia Montgomery detailing her process and experience in setting up her own yurt on the BI, she's not very far from where we plan to be. This is packed full of into regarding each step and considerations within. Good stuff.

3. Yurt Interiors' facebook page and website http://www.yurtinteriors.com/ are really informational. Their book Round Design, Modern Yurt Interiors is on my list to purchase as I want ideas and inspiration as we plan the interior.

4. http://www.yurtinfo.org/ an online resource for "all things yurt", need I say more? Their book Yurts, Living in the Round is probably another resource on my list to purchase.

Ok, that's all the posting I have time for today!

I'm gonna make a list

Yes, another list, sorry I'm a list person. Used to be more anal about lists, then just got too busy to keep up with it all. Yet, I've been reading a ton of info on the web regarding yurts and I need to store this info somewhere to easily retrieve at some point. So, here goes: wait, I think I need to be more organized with this list, I think I will make a list then go to detailed posts for lists within the lists, in no particular order, may have to revisit each topic as information is learned - ha, did I say I was anal about lists??? Funny.

From the ground up

ok, secure property - in process
start building permit - will likely use Yurts of Hawaii for help with that as I don't have the time or energy to deal with it.
generate interest in folks to help with labor - in process
land prep - need names and numbers, we want to be in Sea View so would like to hire folks who are close to there
septic and water catchment - will need a contractor
Yurt - plan to order Colorado Yurt Co as I like their product
upgrades to yurt - will detail this later, but need some to be comfortable in tropical climate
deck design - hmmm, i know what I want, but for permitting probably need to have it drawn
interior finish - I want to finish out the inside with recycle, second hand, found items
exterior issues - considerations for the yurt
exterior landscaping - including hard rock design
what have I forgotten so far??

We're going in circles - again

Ok... back to the old drawing board - yurts. I want a damn yurt!

Gosh we see all these good deals on homes over in Hawaii and we start thinking we can afford them. Well, we can't, not if we want to retire early and live off of what we have going on comfortably. Sure we can sell the farm in WA, but what if it doesn't sell, do we put our dream on hold forever, just waiting? Do we give it away in this market just to move forward?

With the yurt plan we could secure the property, probably on an owner contract since land loans are outrageous, and then go about setting it up with small personal loan for the yurt and associated materials. We'd have to figure out how to finance the septic and water catchment, but that will come. We could go the 20ft yurt and build an attached structure to house kitchen and bath, or we could go the 30ft yurt and frame bath and kitchen inside. I'm thinking the 30ft option as I've seen some pics of this and like what I see.

I've been looking at other yurts in Hawaii, particularly on the Big Island and they're pretty cool. I think it would be fun to document a yurt from plans to placement, and I know folks that would want to be involved.

This makes our dream a reality within the next couple of years, not years down the road and worry about money. Heck if we decide to build a decade from now, we can always remove the yurt. I'm still in love with Sea View however, so at least staying consistent with that.