The simple life of a cabin in the Northwoods comes with a bit of planning.  Always fixing things on the weekend doesn’t sound like much fun, so low maintenance became key to my building.  Since we are off the grid, lack of water, power and the ability to get a cement truck in were limitations as well.

The Plan                    

We came up with a 16x20’ plan, based on the blueprints for a double garage I bought. Based on consulting with a carpenter I know (do your own research prior to starting a project like this) we came up with piers made of concrete post forms with treated posts. Holes were dug and filled with compacted gravel under each. We made it high enough to crawl under from one side if any adjustments were to be made if some of the posts sank.

 

The Structure

The first two years we lived in a canvas tent on site, then we beefed up the platform with a few more piers and framed up our cabin. After all, there were deer stands to build and trails to cut too. In Part III we’ll frame up the cabin.

 

Joel Schnell is editor of ruffedgrouseminnesota.com