off the grid in Mendocino County since 1972!

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Small Cabin Forum / Member's Projects and Photos / off the grid in Mendocino County since 1972!

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# Posted: 6 Oct 2015 01:09
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Hey land owners! I didn't see any other posts from folks in Mendocino County so I might be the first! If not ping me please. In 1972, along with 2 partners we bought 82 acres in Mendocino County west of Redwood Valley looking for utopia and an escape from the (Bay Area) urban realities that many of us college aged idealists feared. I started building my cabin in 1974 hauling wood and material on foot because I couldn't drive to my building site. The first phase of my cabin was built without the benefit of any electrical tool; all by hand tools. The only exception was a chainsaw to cut the railroad ties I used for foundation posts. In the early 1980s, I added a second story to the cabin to bring the square footage to about 900. Eventually I got a small generator and was able to use some electrical tools which helped move things along a bit faster. I cut a road to my cabin in 1990 and, flashing forward to 2015, it's getting pretty comfy up there. The most important element any land owner can have is water by means of a trusty spring or well. We have the good fortune of a year round spring that used to provide water for the cattle that roamed the 5200 acre ranch. The spring feeds a 900 gallon stainless steel (former) milk tank and gravity supplies my house. The sun gives me hot water in the summer and I build a small wood fire under a recycled gas water heater in the winter. I have a small solar electric system now with 4 75 watt panels and a 1100 watt inverter supplied by 4 6 volt golf cart batteries. Makes all the difference in the world. I can watch TV, stereo, run my computer, lights, and the fridge. I used to use propane to power my fridge but when it went out 2 years ago I avoided the $2000 replacement cost and went with a small mini fridge that only uses 9 watts. My solar system inverter handles this very nicely. However, I am only a weekend resident so not sure how this would work 24x7. My 3200 watt generator augments the solar when I need to run the microwave or toaster (or table saw!). Besides sustainable water, our biggest challenge is keeping the place safe from fire. Northern California usually gets no rain June through mid October so summers are very dry and the fire danger is critical. Every summer requires a major effort to clear out the weeds around the house and the road, constantly blowing the leaves down the hill, and chain sawing up the tree falls. Maintaining the roads is critical as well. Thanks to a wonderful ranch association, the main roads are graded and graveled 2x a year. I have 1/3 mile of road to maintain myself and that is a challenge. Critters can annoy me up there with an occasional bat in the cabin, plenty of mice, or the woodpeckers that peck holes in my siding. As I age ( I am 66 now) I wonder how I can keep up the building maintenance and hard labor that it takes to keep the cabin and the land safe from fire and from deterioration. My sons don't have the same interest as I so I wonder what the future holds. Ideas are welcomed. Still, for now, I love the challenge that the ranch and the cabin has given to me. I thrive on the feeling of accomplishment as I slowly upgrade many cabin features that were once temporary that now rival city living comforts. There's no other feeling like it. For years I survived with an outhouse......just recently I added an indoor toilet! Almost too much city for me! Respect the land and enjoy your projects my friends. Thanks for reading. will try to upload some pictures. - Keith

cabin framed 1976

1977 all moved in...note funky chimney

1978 note raised water heater

1975 roof rafters in

hctim57
Member

# Posted: 6 Oct 2015 01:26
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I guess only 4 files are allowed per post. Here are 4 more of the cabin from this decade!

2nd story addition

new kitchen

view from my deck

deck off the back with view of valley

RckyMtnHi
Member

# Posted: 6 Oct 2015 07:25
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What a great story to start the day, thanks for sharing!

hattie
Member

# Posted: 6 Oct 2015 12:18
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Do you think you might decide to move up there full time some day? It is a beautiful place!! Would love to see more indoor pictures.

old old buddy
Member

# Posted: 6 Oct 2015 22:39
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We are about the same age. I'm almost 65, but was 59 when my son and I started our build. It has been the most enjoyable thing I have ever done. I still like muscle cars, motorcycles, antique tractors and guns...but the cabin just surrounds me with a calm that I can't explain. Old Old Buddy

Gary O
Member

# Posted: 7 Oct 2015 06:51
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Quoting: hctim57

As I age ( I am 66 now) I wonder how I can keep up the building maintenance and hard labor that it takes to keep the cabin and the land safe from fire and from deterioration

Well, you could....(ahem)....move there....

Love this story, and build.

watersedge
Member

# Posted: 7 Oct 2015 07:26
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A pleasure to read this morning! God Bless and continued success on your journey!

FishHog
Member

# Posted: 7 Oct 2015 07:59
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fantastic, thanks for sharing your story.

naturelover66
Member

# Posted: 8 Oct 2015 19:49
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Love your cabin and view. Maybe grandchildren will appreciate it?

hctim57
Member

# Posted: 21 Apr 2016 23:00 - Edited by: hctim57
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thanks all for your replies. I don't think I could live up there full time. Then I wouldn't have a getaway place! It's too hot for me in the summer and too wet in the winter. Of course if armageddon happens, I have a choice. Here are a few more interior pictures that someone requested.