Everybody wants to save the earth, nobody wants to help mom do the dishes.  --P.J. O'Rourke

Showing posts with label Camp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Camp. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Katrina Cottages


I knew about the original Katrina Cottage which was developed as a dignified, non-toxic alternative to FEMA trailers, but I had no idea that it had inspired a movement. An article in the NYT turned me on to the fact that there are no many different "Cottage" plans to choose from and that Lowes and several other Companies are selling the plans and the materials. I have always been a big fan of cottage and camp architecture and I am glad to see it coming back with a vengeance. Enough with the crappy McMansions and their tacky Palladian windows. In any case, these cottages are perfect for a summer family camp and most can be pre-fabbed and put on a trailer which makes building on a remote site a whole lot easier. I also think that these would make great housing for the elderly, as an alternative to assisted living apartments. I got the plan above from Cusato Cottages but the Katrina Cottages Organization has a list of vendors and more information on the whole deal check it out, it's quite possibly insanely great Link: www.katrinacottagehousing.org
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Monday, July 13, 2009

The Porch Cabin - By Dale Mulfinger SALA Architects

I really like the design of this Cottage/Cabin and I think Mr. Mulfinger absolutely nailed the look and feel of a turn of the century Craftsman/Victorian summer vacation cabin without adding to many modern gewgaws which would spoil it. You can purchase study and construction plans and look at the interior photos, elevations and floor plans at the link below.

Link: Architectural House Plans
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

House Keeping Camp Yosemite National Park


I have to say, I have camped in a lot of places, but House Keeping camp is my favorite of all.
It's not really camping, per-se, but if you are lucky enough, as we were, to get one of the sites
near the river, it is one of the most magical places imaginable. It is true enough that you are
close to your neighbors, but that drives a camaraderie that I have not experienced elsewhere.
And even though you are in close proximity, it feels private because of the way the sites are
situated. This beautiful shot is by a guy named Pete Burrow and it really captures the
essence of the place. The best thing about it is that the park provides much of the bedding and
such and you can follow our model and fly in and spend 1/2 hour at Target and take care of the
rest of your needs. Yosemite is a great place, and House Keeping Camp is a great way to
experience it.
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Monday, April 27, 2009

The Blankoat - The Smuggie of Slankets


IF the Snuggie and the Slanket are not (AirQuote)ironic(/AirQuote) enough for you and the Skanket is too trailer park, you need the Blankoat, a $300 Icelandic Wool blanket with arms guaranteed to keep you smug and warm while camping out to get tickets for the next Ting Tings or Enon show.  Emporer Palpatine Endorsed !
Link: The Blankoat

PS: How long before L.L. Bean starts selling an embroidered version.
PSII: Do fundamentalist Mormon Snuggies have a hole in them?
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Thursday, April 9, 2009

C. Crane Co. CCRadio

Another essential OTG item

Shortly following luxurious shelter, light, heat and a tub in Maslow's hierarchy of OTG needs is a good battery powered radio. You may be tempted to rely on a cheap K-Mart transistor Shower Radio, Hello Kitty radio or some other abomination, but I can assure you NOTHING sucks as much as trying to tune in a Red Sox pennant game in the fall, under a brilliant star lit sky, and having it fade in and out. There you are, you've got your campfire on, your drink on, the cicada's are singing and Don Orsillo is fading in and out in a battle with a mariachi station. Ninth inning, men on first and third, winning run at the plate, 2 outs, full count......AGHHHH. Well, do yourself a favor and get a good quality AM Radio, yes the price is usurious, but it's worth every penny. The CC Radio was developed by a company who's core business is bringing AM radio reception to Militiamen, Bush Pilots, Tree Standers and other hinterland dwellers.

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BriteLyt Lanterns

Yet another OTG (Off the Grid) must have, the BriteLyt Petromax Style Lantern.  Maybe not for the Snorkel Tub, but you're gonna need some light in your Yurt, TeePee, Cabin, Tent, Airstream or Bunker.  Purportedly the brightest lantern in the world, the BriteLyt is solid brass and multifuel (capable of burning Diesel, Gas, Kero, Veg Oil etc).  Manufactured and supported in the United States, the Britelyt is apparently the lantern of choice for U.S. troops in Afghanistan.  Although it is also available in polished brass or chrome (left), I personally like the utilitarian flat grey of the military model below, lanterns aren't intended to be fancy.    Link www.britelyt.com






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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Snorkel Cedar Hot Tub

Being "off-grid" doesn't mean you have to live like Grizzly Adams or the Unibomber.
With these wood fired wooden hit tubs, you can get your soak on , in traditional Japanese 
style no less,  just steps from your yurt.  The water is heated by an underwater wood stove 
and though "fast" by wood standards, still takes some time.  Most people use these without
chemicals and change the water after a day or so.  Still I can imagine few things as nice as 
the luxury of a hot bath in the woods.  Hey-Now !


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Navigator Marine Wood Stoves

These cute little marine wood stoves are made by the Navigator Stove Works on Orcas Island in WA State (right accross the bay from Bellingham).  Seems they have acquired the rights to the old Lunenburg Foundry patterns. Lunenburg had been around forever - think "Mayflower" , so it's a proven design.  Navigator updated the look with colorfull porcelain coatings and stainless rails.  Although they were created for use on sailing vessels, they are equally at home in any small space.  One of these stoves would be great in a cabin, tent, workshop or even an RV. 


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Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The Kelly Kettle


The Kelly Kettle is an ingenious alternative to building a roaring camp  fire just to boil a pot of water for coffee or tea.  The basic idea behind it is that you light a small fire in the base using whatever is at hand (twigs, leaves,newspaper, etc.) and
place the kettle on the base.  The kettle is essentially a normal kettle with a Chimney in the middle, surrounded by a water jacket (see right).  Produced by the same Irish family for four generations, it should be pretty well de-bugged by now.  Bonus McGuiver tip: Use alcohol based antibacterial gel as a firestarter LINK:   Kelley Kettle
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Colorado Yurt Company Platform Tents

The Colorado Yurt company makes these seemingly well sorted out Cabin Tents.  Designed to be set up on a permanent platform, these seem like a good solution for family summer camp housing.  Equipped with a woodstove and screening on all four sides, you could extend your stays well into the shoulder seasons. You could pull the tent down and store the tent, stove and whatever furnishings in a large storage shed, bunkhouse, cookhouse or other permanent structure, leaving only the platform exposed to the winter elements.  The plaform construction makes this is a particularly good solution for hilly or uneven terrain such as a river bank or lakeside setting.  And of course, the company makes Yurts and Teepee's should your tastes run in that direction.
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Monday, April 6, 2009

The Shack at Hinckle Farm - Jeffrey Broadhurst

Built on a 27 acre mountaintop ___location only accessible by off-road vehicles, I really like the design of this little off the grid retreat shack Broadhurst and friends built.  Clearly I am not alone as it has been featured in Architectural Record magazine, but it is a compelling example of what can be done with minimal materials and a little creativity.  Necessitated by the ___location, it is built for off grid living, with oil lamps for light and a woodstove for heat and hot water.  One especially nice feature is the windowed garage door ad a front wall.  Although I admire the purity  of the design, the practical side of me would likely do things somewhat differently.  First off, I would undoubtedly make it somewhat larger, with more space for food storage and a composting toilette.  Also have been stuck in the rain while camping, the interior needs to be large enough to accommodate chairs and a table inside.  Personally I would add some larger windows side and back, and somewhat more importantly, build a screen wall behind the garage door wall to keep the bugs out.  The above is not meant as criticism,  merely how I would modify an already good design to suit my needs temperament and climate.

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Sunday, March 22, 2009

The Six Wheeled Tyrrell P34 Formula 1 Car

I remember seeing this car on "Wide World of Sports" as a kid, in fact to this day, when I see this car I swear I can hear Jackie Stewart's voice.   Designed by Derek Gardiner in 1975, the theory behind the six wheels is pretty simple, braking and aerodynamics.  The ten inch front tires punch through the air much easier than a single pair of larger tires, and four fronts should offer more grip for better braking and handling.  Indeed, the car scored a one two finish at the Swedish Grand Prix, and posted good results it's first season.  Unfortunately, because nobody else was using these unique tires, development suffered and Tyrrell was forced to use uncompetitive tires which limited the cars success's.  In historic racing against it's contemporaries however it has been vindicated, having achieved excellent results.  To me as a kid, such an exotic looking car festooned with the huge words ELF, could not have been cooler.  I suspect I am not alone as the f34 is one of the most popular vintage racing cars around, and always gets an enthusiastic response.


Fun extra, Jackie Stewart Testing the P34 back in the day, very cool footage, check out Jackie's hot 70's lady
Linky Link Link
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Friday, March 20, 2009

Unicat - Your Camper for the Zombie Apocalypse

Install a couple of gunports or a minigun turret and you'll be the shiznit of Barter Town









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Monday, March 9, 2009

Sportsmobile Ruggedized 4x4 Diesel Camper

I would absolutely love to have one of these. I love camping, but I don't like
sleeping on the ground and I don't like being around a million people. Fully
outfitted by Sportsmobile who
has been doing this since 1961 truly a go anywhere adventure vehicle.

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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Vacation Homes

Martha and I have always wanted to have a
Camp. Basically a number of simple buildings
for people to sleep in and a common kitchen,
bath, lounge & dining building. Kindof a kids
Camp for grownups. I think these prefab little
rooms/houses would make great cabins.
you can find more @ http://www.fabprefab.com



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