TC,

That's really interesting and a great idea! When I described my camp a few posts back, I described the camp that is "owned" by some cousins. I do want my own camp and I'll describe it.

I want to build a true log cabin in the woods for my hunting cabin. My wife's great great great grandfather built a log cabin in Mississippi during the land grants of the early 1800s. It still stands today almost 200 years later. It's been unoccupied for about 30 years and of course there is some decay, but the original log walls, foundation, ruff truss system, etc... is still standing. I want to use that as a model to build mine.

I have drawn out a plan where I have one large room to serve as kitchen, dining room, and living room. With a big fireplace. I mean the kind of fireplace like they have at cracker barrel restruants. On the other side of the house I have a small bathroom, a bunk room, and a bedroom for me and my wife. Porches wrap two sides of the house. A shed on the backside for cleaning game.

I want this cabin to be pretty far out in the woods and thought I had solved all the utility problems before, but now with your solar power solution I think I truely have. I'll use your solar solution for the electricty. I have a portable generator which was my previous solution, but I like your much better. Where can I learn more about this solar stuff?

For gas, I was planning to have a big propane tank out there. My uncle has one where the tank is actually buried in the ground except for the top where it's refilled and stuff. I was going to use gas for the stove, water heater, space heaters...as much as I could.

For water, I was going to use a cistern system if I couldn't find a well. I even thought of having building my own water tank on a hillside or something that would serve as a reseviour for the cistern system. Of course a well would be better, but you can't depend on that. I do realize that I should still have to bring in drinking water.

For sewage disposal, a good old fashioned septic tank should do the job.

I want to have a place that is my hunting cabin, but also feels more like a place to get away from it all. I want a place that my wife would consider going to for a weekend retreat as much as I do. My current deer camp........well......women just don't go there often.

The one thing that I haven't quite solved is how to protect it from theives. [:@] I've been thinking off heavy shutters and heavy doors, with perhaps eloborate locks or something. But let's face it, if they want in they'll get in especially in a secured location where they could just take a chain saw and go through the way without anyone hearing. I'd welcome any suggestions on that one.

TC, I'd really like to hear more about your place. If you don't want to post it here you can PM me.