toward our cabin,” recalls Bruce. “All we could do from our home in Tennessee was hope that the land around the cabin was clear enough to hold the fire back.”
Luckily, the fire service was able to make it to the Michielsen cabin and sprayed foam on the inferno to repel the flames. “The fire came within 30 feet of the home and had burned 800 acres of our land and 90,000 acres statewide,” says Bruce.
Since that narrow escape, the couple has removed all dead trees and dead lower branches from around the cabin and has tried to keep the grass trimmed and green. “We were grateful for the metal roof, that
not only gives the cabin an authentic look, but is also fire repellent,” says Marie.
Once the home was complete and the furniture in place, the Michielsens were able to relax in their little mountain home as weekends and vacations allowed for the next seven years. Finally, in 2007 the couple sold their home in Tennessee and retired to their Montana cabin. “We absolutely love it here and have adjusted to the slower pace,” says Marie. “When you have to go to town, which is about once a week, you definitely make a list and try not to forget anything.”
“If you choose to live in the country you
The main entrance to the home is through a windowed pine door with sidelites that provide light into the cabin and a view from the inside. To the right, you can get a glimpse of the mountain vista that the Michielsens can see from their front porch.
also have to be able to work with Mother Nature, who has a mind of her own,” says Bruce. “We have been snowed in a few times already, once for about seven days.
“But it’s all worth it in the end. You can’t explain what you feel when you are sitting up high, surrounded by sturdy log walls and have a view that stretches out for miles,” says Bruce. “We are very lucky and very happy.” CBLH
If you’re planning on building your own cabin, the first thing you’ll need to do is establish a budget. Here are the primary costs for which you’ll be responsible:
• Cost of the land
• Permits
• Fees for inspections, document, prep, surveys, and insurance
• Clearing, excavation, footings and/or foun dation, and driveway construction (optional)
• Garage (optional)
• Fireplace (optional, or if not included in kit)
• Utility hookup (well/water, sewer/ septic, electrical)
• Log cabin package
• Building components not included in the package such as flooring, cabinetry, and roofing
• Labor costs
• Heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and heat ing systems and installation
• Landsc aping
• Applicances
References:
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