I’ve had blog problems the last few days and have been unable to post. I have it working again so want to share Jeff’s story about his shanty in North Carolina.
About 4 years ago we bought a piece of property on the banks of the New River in the mountains of North Carolina.
After months of tent camping in what we later found out to be one of the few temperate rain forest in North America, we thought a better structure would be in our best interest.
We were doing real well tucked backed in the woods minding our own business when we noticed a nice little official looking note taped to the door. Well unfortunately, it wasn’t “Welcome Wagon” or a nice neighbor, but the county calling attention to the fact that we had built a structure in their flood plain without their knowledge and without a permit.
Well after some conversation we thought it would be in our best interest to move the building out of the floodplain. I had a neighbor bring a forklift after I laid block and pick it up and set it down in its new home. I had a sneaking suspicion that eventually the county would find it so I intentionally built it less than 70 sq ft as that is what the code defines a habitable room, I thought it might work in my favor. I do think it helped! It is 64 sq ft by the outside dimensions of 8 by 8,
It is solar and insulated and with a flat screen TV, a toilet, and a queen size bed, it has been our home practically every weekend for the past 3 1/2 years while we build a larger house by ourselves. It stays warm with body heat (two adults and a 70lb dog) in winters that can see 40+ inches of snow. It has been absolutely great! It forces you to get out and stay active.
View more photographs of Jeff’s shanty below.
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