Getting plumb settled

With all of our moving deadlines met, and all of our belongings in the yurt, we were ready to have Tanner try his hand at plumbing.  The plan was to have a shower and kitchen sink for running water.  One very long day later, Tanner was happily taking his first shower, and I was washing my dishes with the sink faucet rather than heating water on the stove.

Drilling a hole for Shower faucet

Getting water connections to kitchen sink

 Aside from getting water to the desired faucets, walls were framed in for the bathroom.

drain for temporary sink

water is running!

 Who knew he could plumb?!

Celebratory shower cocktail

Our shower curtain rings didn't fit the temporary curtain rod, so zip ties worked in the mean time.  With water running, the only other luxurious necessity I longed for was a closet.  Our yurt layout plans called for a closet bar on the opposite side of the bathroom wall, across from the plumbed kitchen/bath wall.  I must have been behaving myself because I got two shelves out of the deal too!

Closet!

eventually we will have full walls and a door, but it is starting to come together!

my humble, functional kitchen

I love it!

sitting area, catching the ball of light from the dome

entry

North side of the yurt

West Side

 Now that we are settled, we can focus on house plans and finishing touches on our temporary home.  We are both thrilled with how comfortable our yurt is.  Now to celebrate!!

Moving In

With our yurt standing, we've been scrambling to get our belongings moved from storage unit and rental property before month's end.  While much time was spent moving our possessions, we got to really rough-it in the yurt for a few days with no running water or indoor potty, and a single extension cord for power.  Let's just say that I was so ready to be out of our rental property that I was willing to get in touch with my tougher side in order to never return to said rental property.
 We began our yurt adventure with just an air mattress.  By the third night we had our bed platform, our new refrigerator, and the puppies were happy to have their beds.

 Nathan was our ever-trusty moving helper.  He was very necessary and instrumental in our move from storage/rental to yurt.

just one of the many things we own and don't need....came in handy....

I had a huge mess on my hands=lots of organizing

We got a make-shift kitchen going right away.  Water container with spigot, sink emptying into a bucket.

First meal made in the yurt: Salad, fried potatoes, salmon burgers, and corn on the cob...yum!

Doing dishes by camp lantern, not so much fun.

 The first of our basic creature comforts to arrive at the yurt was our composting toilet.  Tanner spent a fair bit of time researching compost toilets and found them to be quite practical in the right environment.  They come in different sizes, makes, and models to fit your situation.  Many national parks and state forests have gone the route of composting toilets over standard outhouses.  Compost toilets reduce water usage and are environmentally friendly.  Beyond these attributes, I, personally, was sold on this brochure photo:

I can't quite understand what message the Sun Mar toilet company was trying to send with this photo.... If you are fancy enough to wear a suit, it's still hip to have a compost toilet.  Our composting toilet will not emit fumes that might kill your fern...  I guess they can't really advertise someone using the thing, but the ads (not to mention the DVD that came with all of the information) provided at least a few chuckles from yours truly.

The unit we decided worked best for us, is self contained and has a fan built in to take all smells out of the space in which it is housed.  Mulch is added with use, and there is a handle that you turn to rotate the drum inside to keep everything composting.  I couldn't be happier to have an indoor potty, and with a view to boot! 

For more information on composting toilets:
www.sun-mar.com
www.compostingtoilet.com/

Yurt Raising

The moment we've all been waiting for...the yurt is up!
In looking at the calender last week, with my work schedule and Tanner's long list of building to be accomplished pre-yurt raising, we decided that Sunday, June 24th was going to be the day.  We had several friends volunteer to help us, and rain or shine, we needed to get it done.  Thankfully, after many days working in the rain, we were blessed with the most beautiful day.  No rain, no strong winds, sunshine, and warm temperatures.  We couldn't have dared asked for anything more perfect, and the day went off without a hitch.

Tanner and Roger building scaffolding

 With a bright and early start, Roger was our first helper for the day.  He and Tanner got the scaffolding built and the trailer unloaded in preparation for extra hands to arrive.

lattice walls on each side of the platform

Bringing up doors

Kyle, Roger, Tanner, Chilko, Nathan and Caleb on hand to set the doors

East wall up!

Next, the top ring was hoisted to connect all of the ceiling joists (all laid out on the floor, ready to raise)

Looking like a structure, fast!

While all of this was happening, and like I said, it all happened fast, The ladies were futzing with the insulation some more.  Many hands make light work, and it all went very smoothly.  I was glad to have some extra hands to tape all of the ceiling pieces together.

Kim and I taping sections together, getting a killer farmer tan.

Aidan and Owen helping us out

Jen and Peggy helping to hold sections for taping.  It was a hot, obnoxious chore but we did good!

The insulation fit perfectly

Brother Nathan, getting all of the insulation fitted under the roofing

Tanner at the top, adding the dome skylight

Chilko didn't leave sight of Tanner, he was so concerned about him being on top of the yurt ( so was I!!)

A much needed and earned break followed in seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  All that was left was the sides!

Mom and Dad relaxing with the Moose

Kim, Kyle, and Nathan, sitting in the shade

The sides went up with no problems

Nathan and Roger, taking the scaffolding back down

Our amazing crew!  Jerry, Roger, Nathan, Kyle, Dad, Jardy, and Tanner

Properly celebrating with some Glacier Whiskey

Enjoying a moment on our front porch

Emblazoned in my mind's eye..

Kim, amazingly, went home and fixed us dinner and brought it back up.  We have amazing friends, we are so Blessed!!!

Dinner!  Morrell Alfredo pasta

Perfect skies, made us feel like we were on top of the world.

All in all, we couldn't have made the yurt raising go any smoother.  We are blessed beyond belief at how willing our friends were to come and help us get established in this stage in our life.  As we ate our delicious dinner on our deck, talking with friends new and old, I could see our future at our new place unfold, and I am so excited for what is to come!

Cheers!  The Mcgurts