(10) Winter Projects

     First, I want to thank everyone who has commented on this blog. I appreciate any and all remarks.
     I titled this blog "Winter Projects" not because I am doing anything right now, projects in the "Realm" are near impossibe as I have to hike in, I guess I could pull a sled with all of the tools but then, not.
     I have been making plans for spring. Now is the time to consider and reconsider the things I want to do. After discovering Joseph Jenkins web site, I have decided to use one of his composting toilets in my cabin though I will build my own to save money. I didn't realize there would be no odor and the space requiement is minimal, let alone the valuable compost I will get as a result. After taking a few measurements at the cabin recently I decided a small addition was necessary to accommodate a toilet and shower area inside rather than outside. It is so very uncomfortable pooping outside in these cold temps let alone taking a shower. Though I have done it before.
     My initial plan was to increase the size of the cabin by 48 square feet to house the toilet and shower. More expense and a larger foot print. I measured and remeasured and decided by rearranging things inside I can fit both projects in the cabin, as is.
     By removing part of the counter that houses the current stove top, I can free up almost fifty inches of space. I will alot 25 inches for each, the toilet and shower. The lost counter space can be made up at the other end where the table currently resides. There will be room for the used twenty inch gas range i will get and still have room for some storage space I will lose at the other end. The table will be moved across the room to the South side. This will be very cozy, I realize, but very funtional and less expense.
     My other plan which I may have mentioned in an earlier blog was to redo the outside of the cabin. Removing the outer aluminum shell and adding more framing and insulation, relocating the windows and adding a hard shell roof with more insulation. These plans I have already confirmed and can now accommidate the new ideas in that project.
     Winter makes it possible to sit back and contemplate ideas then rethink them before you start a project when only realizing that is not really what you wanted. Saves time and money.
     My shower idea; While living on the boat all of those years, most of my showers were solar type, heating the water when there was no sun. Not feasible in frigid tempertaures. With space alloted for the shower which is small but doable I will install a six gallon water tank available from Todd Enterprises, to this I will attach the necessary fittings for fill and drain. To get water to the shower head; I found an aluminum heavy duty hand operated pump. I will attach a tubeless tire valve in the tank then use the pump to add pressure. The pump has a guage to monitor the pressure. Very simple, very nice. I fill the tank part way with cool water then add heated water; from the sun in summer and from the stove in winter. I can then poop and shower in the comfort of a heated cabin. In summer I can still enjoy an outside solar shower if I choose, the best of both worlds. The gray water will flow into a small reservoir of sand and gravel and will be returned back to the ground, clean.
     After much consideration about wood heat, I have decided that my cabin is too small to accommidate, as it requires too much space for safety. Since I am doing the shower and toilet and having to arrange things differently, wood is just not feasible. Actually that means less strain on my old back. I will only have to get wood for the firepit which I also cook on in the summer. I could do it in the winter but have not yet.
     The propane heater needs much less space for safety and has proved very economical so far this winter. I estimate I will spend less than sixty dollars on propane this winter and even less next winter with the addition of more insulation. Cost will increase a little when I am in full time.
     Until next time -Rick