Table of Contents
Chapter 1 The Dream-A Cabin in the Woods 1
You Are Not the First to Dream 2
The Purpose of This Book 4
Chapter 2 Selecting a Site 7
Solitude, Is It for You? 9
In What Region Do You Want Your Cabin? 10
Buying or Leasing? 11
Should You Have a Partner? 12
Finding Land-Be Patient 13
Searching on Your Own 14
Working with a Real Estate Agent 15
Looking at Property 15
To Buy or Not to Buy? 16
The Cabin Site 18
Closing the Deal 21
Chapter 3 The Look You Want 22
Logs-The Ultimate Building Material for Backcountry Cabins 23
Log Siding 24
Board-and-Batten, An Old Favorite 25
Reverse Board-and-Batten 26
Protecting the Exterior 27
Roofing 29
Chapter 4 The Simple Adirondack Shelter 31
The Adirondack as a Cabin 33
Building an Adirondack Shelter 34
Chapter 5 The Alaskan Trapper's-Style Cabin 37
Building a One-Room Trapper's-Style Cabin 37
Adding On 46
More Space 47
A Movable Trapper's-Style Cabin 49
Chapter 6 The Appalachian-Style Cabin 52
Building a Two-Room Appalachian-Style Cabin 53
The Traditional Appalachian-Style Cabin 55
A One-Room Appalachian-Style Cabin 57
Chapter 7 The Family-Size Cabin 62
One Bedroom with Sleeping Loft 64
Large Family Cabin 67
Chapter 8 The Hunting/Fishing Club Cabin 68
Appalachian-Style Hunting/Fishing Cabin 69
Self-Sufficient Hunting/Fishing Cabin 69
Individual Cabins with Group Center 72
Log Cabin Kit for Hunting/Fishing Groups 72
Chapter 9 Building with Log Cabin Kits/Packages 74
Advantages of Log Cabin Kits 74
Disadvantages of Log Cabin Kits 76
Choosing a Log Cabin Kit Company 77
How Much Does A Kit Cost? 78
What a Kit/Package May Include 80
Designs and Floor Plans of Some Popular Log Cabin Kits 82
Log Panel Kits 88
Log Siding Kits 89
Chapter 10 The World's Best Outhouse 91
Building Cross Creek Hollow's Outhouse 92
Maintaining the Outhouse 94
Waterless Composting Toilets 95
Burning Human Waste 97
Options 98
Chapter 11 Keeping the Cabin Warm 99
Fireplace or Stove? 100
Tie Right Wood Stove for Your Cabin 102
Locating and Installing the Stove 105
Stovepipe Selection and Installation 107
Stove Safety 109
Wood Wisdom 110
Sources of Firewood 111
Splitting, Stacking, and Seasoning 112
Chapter 12 Lighting Options for the Remote Cabin 115
Gas/Diesel Generator 115
Central LP (Propane) Gas System 118
Propane Lantern Light 119
Liquid-Fuel Lighting 121
Battery Lighting 122
Chapter 13 Sleeping Accommodations 125
Chapter 14 The Outside Fire Ring-A Must for Any Cabin 129
Commercial Fire Rings 131
Custom Benches for Your Fire Ring 132
Chapter 15 Cabin Water Supply 137
Types of Wells 137
Springs 139
Creeks, Streams, Lakes, and Rivers 139
Water Pumps 140
Haul It In 141
Making Water Safe 142
Including the Kitchen Sink 143
Chapter 16 Planning the Remote Cabin Kitchen 144
Keeping Perishables Cool 144
Cabin Cooking 145
Propane Camp Stoves 146
Cabin Camp Stove Ovens 147
Cooking on the Wood Stove 147
Fireplace Cooking 148
Moving Outside-The Dutch Oven and Fire Ring 148
Reflector-Oven Baking 152
Bean Hole Cooking 154
Organizing the Kitchen 156
Chapter 17 Cabin Security 159
Securing Your Property 159
A Watchful Eye 161
Foiling Troublemakers 162
Personal Safety 162
Chapter 18 Managing Your Property 165
Put Your Land Management Team Together 165
Road Siting and Development 167
Landscaping Around the Cabin 167
Managing Your Woodlands 169
Wildlife Management 170
Fisheries Management 172
Chapter 19 Develop a Shooting Range Near Your Cabin 174
Planning 174
Layout 175
Developing the Range 176
Standard Operating Procedures 178
Chapter 20 Cabin Living 180
Easy In, Easy Out 180
Biannual Cleanups 181
Pest Control 182
Liability 183
Special Gatherings 184
Time Alone 186
Preparing for Downtime 187
A Cabin Name 189
Appendix 1 Sources 190
Appendix 2 Chain Saw Safety 199
Appendix 3 Ratings for Cabin Firewood 203
Appendix 4 Liability Release Form 206
Appendix 5 Cross Creek Hollow Standard Operating Procedure 208
Appendix 6 Cross Creek Hollow Departure Checklist 210
Appendix 7 Soil Testing the Cabin Yard, Wildlife Food Plot, or Garden 212
Appendix 8 Average Wattage Requirement Guide 214
Index 216
