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Thread: The Place' our Amish built cabin.

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Default The Place' our Amish built cabin.

    Page one.

    After traveling thru SW Wisconsin's Coulee region to and from Rendezvous at Prairie du Chen every summer, DW and I fell in love with the land.

    Her family had a cottage in central Wisconsin, that we had use of, but wasn't ours......yet we still had the "have your own place" mentality.

    We into urban homesteading, gardening, food prep and preservation, doing for your self, putting food and supply back.......That was in the 1980's....we call it prepping now.

    Found a 10 acre plot of south facing hill side on a good sized river,....had a perk, road , and access to electric...and the price was right.

    Was a few rules and regulations....always check into those details.

    Had to build a road onto the property, and electric service, first years projects.

    Used it for hunting and recreation while planning a build and possible retirement home.

    Moved in a $400 buck Shasta 16ft trailer, an another "A" frame camper (free) as shed and guest house.
    Any or all of it didn't have much value incase of break-in's....but was good shelter, and provided a base to work from.

    A shed purchased and built by the local high school kids, and moved on to the site (story in it self) provided a water collection, solar water heater, up graded to electric for a shower....add a composting toilet.......Used that set up for many years.

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    Last edited by hunter63; 07-25-2014 at 09:46 AM. Reason: splin' thx GD......
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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    "The Place" was given it's name by the many folks that helped, visited, hunted, fished, camped, canoed and generally partied all these years...as in "Are you headed out to "The Place"? ........ It stuck.

    You will all find out who are friends and helpers....and who are freeloaders....LOL....you will all have them.

    Anyway, after researching all sorts of housing, from earth-bermed...(the reason for the south facing hill side), to stick built, to a garage, mini house....you name it, we researched it.

    So the convent for the property (be sure to look at this stuff before you buy) stated 800 sg. ft. min, enclosed with in one year, no house trailers........(didn't say anything about travel trailers, ...pays to ask around)....and we didn't want another mortgage.
    Decision was made for an Amish built log cabin.....for less money than a new truck.
    Built in a barn;

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    Trucked to the prepared site....Had about 7 miles....what a trip....LOL

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    Site is a hole in the hill, ....dozer work, gravel....did have state approved well put in before cabin.

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Porch was added the next day......Amish crew started at 7 AM and finished by 2 PM......
    Enclosed building....my modified floor plan 16' X 40'......8 ft porch the full length.
    South facing but angled east by 15 degrees.....idea form Ken Kern, "The Owner Built Home"

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    Then came the interior walls, plumbing, wiring and finish work.

    Have a few interior pic's....
    The floor plan called for a bathroom and kitchen on the east end......to share a utility wall, remember to frame with 2X6 so as PVC will fit for plumbing.

    The Amish though that was the funniest thing the ever heard of, you don't crap next to where you eat....LOL
    Anyway, 8" car siding, turn backwards almost matched the 8" logs in appearance.....so the bathroom was born.

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Kitchen cabinets were home built at the city house and installed .....
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    I had found an Antique gas stove stored it for a few years, converted to propane and installed.

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    High end wood stove will heat the cabin nicely....(backed up with electric base boards)

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    Bed room up stairs in the twin lofts....early pic...lot's more stuff now....LOL

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    Continued

    Living room, ...note twin recliners best idea I ever had.


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    Porch with part of my collection of "old stuff"
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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    From down hill after staining....

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    One of my favorite pic...deer season...and a reminder I need insulation in the roof......LOL
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    Porch hunting....

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Few specs and costs....

    In 2005, the basic long log cabin was 16' X 30' w/ 8 ft porch the full length.
    Was about $16K , no financing,….. excepts cash or cashier’s check, only
    We added 10' ( for bath and kitchen) @ about $200 per ft.
    We added the dormers, @ $900 each.
    Also extra door, couple of windows and pine flooring, so when was all said and done, as pictured about $25K
    Site prep, 18 sonit tubes, 36 blocks (to put it on) are extra.
    And of course all other amities.
    Logs are 8" solid milled "D" shaped tongue & grove, pine logs with caulk in between, and pinned.
    They build it either in their barn, or much more expensive on site.
    Then you haul/have it hauled to the site.
    They put you in touch w/ a trucker, you take care of that, but the price included

    The well was put in before the cabin, and it had a "perk" for septic....so I finished that stuff up.

    We just up graded all windows...and as I had triple by-pass surgery in Dec....not all the way back...I hired that out or I would have done that myself as well.
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    Well…..now I have to wipe my chin……and close my mouth.

    I really like the way the corners are stacked.
    Considered that design using 4x4s

    May still do it…..

    Wonderful pics. Wonderful.
    Thank you, Hunter

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    Senior Member cabingal4's Avatar
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    hunter63-that was a great read.
    loved reading about your land and how u got there.
    how u got the amish log cabin...its such a pretty place.
    love the kitchen stove.wow.
    what do u shoot from your front porch??
    thanks for sharing this.it was a fun tour.

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cabingal4 View Post
    hunter63-that was a great read.
    loved reading about your land and how u got there.
    how u got the amish log cabin...its such a pretty place.
    love the kitchen stove.wow.
    what do u shoot from your front porch??
    thanks for sharing this.it was a fun tour.
    Yeah, I have....BIL really did well off the porch, killed several deer.....
    Now since they are my deer.....I hesitate as I would rather kill yours....LOL

    It's not all work...side project.

    I do "hunt" down by the river, for a Louisiana box stand.....LOL

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    Directions
    Get your self a port-a-potty....
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    Remove all the stuff you don't want to hunt with....
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    Build you a tower....
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    When Mom wants to help....just say ..."cool"....and go have a beer

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    Psst, heard the deer talking all over the valley...."Man y'all gotta see that there cameo job.....'
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    Great story. Beautiful place.

    After reading about it, I almost feel sorry about having to point to this hilarious typo. Well, I'm guessing it's a typo at least, but then you just might be sharing a little more than most

    Quote Originally Posted by hunter63 View Post
    We into urban homesteading, gardening, food prep and perversion, doing for your self, putting food and supply back.......That was in the 1980's....we call it prepping now.

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    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    There is something magical about cabins. Yours is no exception.
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    Senior Member natertot's Avatar
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    Hunter, I must say that I envy your "place". Very nice my friend.... Very nice.
    ”There's nothing glorious in dying. Anyone can do it.” ~Johnny Rotten

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    Senior Member Highhawk1948's Avatar
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    Just beautiful. You are a lucky man. (and a hard worker)
    Ride, Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth.

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    Senior Member cabingal4's Avatar
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    great place!
    and love the deer stand idea.

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    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    Oh, don't go gettin' all gushy. He lost the deer stand to a bunch of mice. Sent him running back to the cabin for reinforcements.

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Great Dane View Post
    Great story. Beautiful place.

    After reading about it, I almost feel sorry about having to point to this hilarious typo. Well, I'm guessing it's a typo at least, but then you just might be sharing a little more than most
    LOL....hey thanks....missed that, I fixed it and gave you credit.
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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Thanks to everyone for looking....many of the members that have been around awhile have seen many of these pic's and story....but not all in one place.
    Like I said, I posted this as an example of "Yes, you can do it,.....there are many ways to work for your dream.

    You meet a lot of people, good and bad...and learn from all of them......the tinyest bit of information sometimes tips the scales...

    Example.....We had been looking at several options of what we wanted.......and kept seeing these cabins for sale.
    Asking about them I was first told that they were not allowed as they were not to code..."IF" they were on a cellar, basement, or foundation...I was looking for storm protection and extra space.

    But seeing several others in the area........and in talking with a lady that writes the permits.....How are those other cabins getting permits.
    She says. "Oh, they don't need a permit as those are on blocks and considered a Mobile Home....but you do have to install a breaker on the electric pole.....Like a mobile home......."

    Well, like "No Ship".....no one would tell you that, you had to kinda find it out on your own....still not sure if they look the other way or not.

    There is a local farmer way.....and a city person way.....and sometimes it pays to buy some one a beer and keep your mouth shut.

    You can ask too many questions, and become a local PITA and you will pay....
    Neighbor wanted a out house ...and you do need a permit....for a concrete tank, out house, that need pumping.

    Had one put in but had made enough noise at the town hall....about "getting their butt out there" to issue the permit...."Can't get anything done out here with the country bumpkins"....They made him dig it up and move it 20' more off the road.

    Talking with the digger guy when they were moving it say, Say to me...."If you" buddy would have just shut up....no one would have paid any attention".

    Nicest part it having a "home" with good neighbors (most of them)....and a community, not just a "cabin".
    Something learned along the way.
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    Alaska, The Madness! 1stimestar's Avatar
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    I've seen several of them but never the inside or finished porch ones. It's lovely and so homey. I LOVE your stoves. They both made me green with jealousy!
    Why do I live in Alaska? Because I can.

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Log cabins were in my family for a long time....
    My Grand Parents cabin in the 1920's......
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    My father on right second row.....with white hat.

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    Didn't see any of these till a couple of years ago after a 95 year old Aunt died....they were found in her "stuff".
    Last edited by hunter63; 07-25-2014 at 02:31 PM. Reason: added pic
    Geezer Squad....Charter Member #1
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    First 50 years...worried about the small stuff...second 50 years....Not so much
    Member Wahoo Killer knives club....#27

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    Senior Member randyt's Avatar
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    awesome cabin, love the décor but there should be a Labrador duck hound somewhere in the photos.

    Love the old cabin too.
    so the definition of a criminal is someone who breaks the law and you want me to believe that somehow more laws make less criminals?

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