Praise, tips for cabin in woods

I thoroughly enjoyed “No Cabin, but It’s Cozy” [by Robert Smaus, Dec. 26] about wanting to build a small cabin on property in the mountains.

I was especially pleased that you want to minimize your impact on the land and do some of the work yourself, instead of hiring a contractor to build a huge mini-mansion.

In 2001 my wife and I bought a small, old, odd house in the Anza-Borrego area. Working on it has been a great delight to us. Everything you said about your place resonates with us.

Also, the direct experience of nature is the ultimate rejuvenator. Yesterday I watched a rambunctious young bunny chase a roadrunner around the yard. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Don Rideout

Encinitas

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Forty acres is a lot to handle, especially to keep it pristine. But it looks like you have plenty of energy and motivation.

Over the years, I have known of friends who have pitched city life for the country life ... and survived. Some have built living structures using traditional methods, while others have used alternative materials.

Some of the alternatives include: Yurt structures (see www.advancecanvas.com; click on “yurts” and “price a yurt”) and Cob structures (www.toolbase.org/tertiaryT.asp?DocumentID=2010&CategoryID;=1402, as well as www.cobcottage.com/#intro).

Hope this info leads you closer to how you want to live in your neck of the woods.

Michael Rose

Shawnee, Kan.

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I applaud your efforts to be environmentally conscious. It has often been my dream to find such a property and to keep the “environmental footprint” as light as possible, perhaps even with a temporary structure.

I would like to suggest post-and-beam construction with straw bale insert walls. This provides good insulation. The straw bale is covered with stucco inside and out. Another approach would be earthen houses.

I don’t see why the composting toilet system rule cannot be overcome with a little lobbying. There may be a way to get an exception for remote locations. From my perspective, this type of approach should be promoted to provide the least environmental impact.

Good luck. Why not have a barn-raising event? I would come to help.

Mark Rutkowski

La Canada Flintridge

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I wanted to say, “Give me a break,” when I read “No Cabin, but It’s Cozy.”

My husband and I live in Topanga, and folks around here are fond of saying, “Don’t change Topanga; let Topanga change you.” We have a propane tank, a septic tank and a seasonal creek that overflows from time to time. It’s a rural area and that rural-ness is part of its charm. We did not move here and instantly expect to build the Taj Mahal for nearly no money.

Lots of people in rural areas live permanently in renovated Tuff Sheds or log cabins. With a few additions, that “too small” shed [currently on your property] might be your best option. Think creatively. Talk to your neighbors and find out how they solved some of the problems you have encountered.

Millicent Borges Accardi

Topanga

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