Aaron and Jill Bork have done what many of us dream of, running off to the wilds of Alaska and building a log cabin.
The couple fell in love with each other and the state and decided to build their own home. Armed with only a book and no prior knowledge of log cabin building, they purchased five acres of land with a spectacular view in their favorite area of Alaska and began to build a log cabin by hand with trees from their property. They built the cabin over the course of one summer, and spent the next year finishing up the inside.
Just about everything in the cabin came from the land: the countertops were built with rocks from a local creek, the deck from local saplings, the spiral staircase going to the loft is made of local timber and even the toilet seat is made of a tree trunk.
In order to simplify their lives and live in the area they loved so much, they decided to do without some of the luxuries. They built an outhouse, do their laundry in a Wonderwash, and warm the cabin with a donated woodstove. They don’t have running water and use a cooler and dry ice to keep their food cold. They also cook on a Coleman stove and use a generator for their electricity.
The cabin is furnished with furniture the couple built themselves and decorated with found objects. They own a small company called Alaska Antler Works where they create furniture and home accessories out of antlers.
This beautiful, hand crafted home is an impressive example of what can be done with determination, a few friends and love and knowledge of the outdoors.
Photos by Aaron and Jill Bork, Alaska Antler Works
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The only question I have is how did this guy get lucky enough to find a woman who was willing to go into the bush with him and do this… (Added bonus she is very attractive)
I must be doing something wrong 🙂
There are many of us
Alaskan woman (even transplants) are a special breed~
there are a lot of women off the grid. I’ve built three tiny houses and I am working on my fourth. I live in AK solo because I have not met a decent adventurous man yet. Kudos to her and her guy
I need to get to Alaska
I went there when I served in the U S Army in June 1977 through December 1978. If you’re going there to look around and see the sights; go in summer. If you’re going to live there; be prepared and forewarned; winters (6 to 7 months) are far worse than the horror stories you may have heard.
eat yer heart out man, In 11 hours and 12 minutes I take off one way to Alaska. somebody offered me an acre of land if I would move to Alaska, so I did. I didn’t just jump into it, I spent Two years researching it and a year putting it in action. Sadly November suck to start a house, but that is the cards I was dealt. I spent a winter in New York on a boat with no heat, so a few weeks won’t be too bad. I got a website listed here to document the whole thing from building the cabin to Living there.
http://www.move2alaska.one
I’d do it with the right man!
fantastic!
Congratulations to this young couple who built their cabin in Alaska. You did a fine job and proved what people are capable of who go and do make their dreams happen. You are living a dream that me and my wife once had. Good wishes to you both, Weylin
Lucky two of your!! I once had the same dream but my exhusband did’t have enough courage in to it.
How long were the logs seasoned? I have read information on the butt-n-pass method of log building that allows you to build using green logs is this how the cabin was constructed?
We no the work you have done. We live that way 13 years. Then we moved and build another log cabin but got on the grid. we just build alittle cabin in eastern Washington last summer. Goggle my web site http://www.thesanityreport.com some times it comes up under faimly. Your cabin is cute you sould build more. Take care its a great life.
Dear Bob and Megan,
I love what you have achieved over there. It has long been a dream of mine to build and live in a log cabin, but being in Scotland we have have a whole lot of stupid planning restrictions put in our way. My parents have land but it would take years to get planning permission to build anything more than a wee shed on it. I will maybe get there one day!
Very best wishes,
Colin
Can you build a bunch of sheds in a circle then? I have seen this method before. One shed is a bedroom, one a bathroom, one a living room and so on…?
WOW What a awesome thing to do..right down to the outside potty..lol i live on 22 acers of beautiful land and would love to do this but our regulations in our county wont let us do this,,,
Wow, what great innovation. Talk about getting close with nature. Great job!
obviously not butt and pass, as you can see the ends are notched. Butt and pass the ends do not lay over each other in a notched fashion.
Congrads for such a beautiful cabin. For myself I have built a cabin as well. My family helped me do ours, trust me it was some trying times for all of us. You guys remind me of us, how you can turn nothing into something!!
You guy’s rock! and you’ve definitely fuelled my dream of building my own Alaska cabin. The Wife will let me do it if I put my foot down but she will not participate.
You must be very proud and happy! God bless you folks!
Barney
Wow, very beautiful home. I have always found log cabins appealing, in fact I frequently rent cabins at a great place in Alabama: http://www.bearcreeklogcabins.com.
This homes looks incredible. I love how you did the spiral staircase. Really, everything is log-themed and it’s beautiful.
Great job!
You both did great job. Aaron and Jill Bork, you both beautifully built a perfect dream home without any experience.
This beautiful, hand crafted home is an impressive example of what can be done with determination, a few friends and love and knowledge of the outdoors.
Log Cabins UK
you all are great, now for the tough question… how did you find a woman that will do that?? the other question is did you have an income when you were doing this? I just bought 10 acres in the cascades (Washington state) and I want to do some thing like what ya’ll have done!
I’ll be posting more on my sight, I literally just got my property yesterday.
Fantastic log cabins…looks very beautiful..
We also offer bespoke log cabins. If you have a design in mind or want to change the position of a door or window then feel free to give us a call to talk about your requirements and let us help turn your dream log cabin into a reality.
I fervently hope these folks’ “antler” business is using ONLY antlers from elk, or other critters, who have died a natural death. If they are hunting and killing them, like predators, only for the antlers,shame on them.
Don’t worry, no death, natural or other required. Believe it or not some critters actually shed their antlers quite naturally and you just have to wander around until you find a nice antler or two lying there unattended once the animal has dropped it so they can work on growing a nice new set. Preferably before other critters start gnawing on them, as those wild and crazy animals out there tend to do.
If you read along you will recall where they actually stated they found the antlers in the creek below along with many pairs
The only thing you could take from this couples inspirational life story they “built” for themselves,is the antlers hanging on their wall??? The fact that they are using nature for what it was intended is a beautiful thing. It goes without saying that these people have a deep respect for nature. A wild animal wouldnt hestitate to eat you if it was hungry. Its a beautiful home and I hope we have similiar results from our efforts.
This is a real log cabin, not like the ones we sell ,
Love the wall construction and spiral steps. Great skill to build these, nice job.
We just want to start with a shelter round a loo in the woods! We’ve got lots of fir trees to thin out, so I guess it’ll be pretty basic compared to your place! We get red deer running through, don’t often see them, but lots of prints, no antlers yet. We work with adults with learning difficulties and getting them involved in the woods is quite therapeutic.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Devon UK.
It is beautiful / / / Please the plans
Beautiful work guys! Wish I never had to come back to the lower~
Love it. You guys are awsome to do what others only imagine, with no previous experience, just guts and desire. As someone else on the Tinyhouse blog said, “Obligate yourself to your dreams and you will be successful.”
Happy trails,
SteveP