yurt living

[aprild]

I have been in a real yurt in the Denver museum and, trust me, these canvas and/or vinyl yurts are nothing like them. First of all, they are entirely covered with skins outside and beautiful, handwoven rugs inside, on the walls, floor, etc. There are no windows and they are smaller than any 'yurt' I have ever seen in the US. The folding walls are beautiful and hand-hewn with much bigger 'slats' and fewer of them.

I think you are splitting hairs to say that only your idea of a yurt is a yurt, Fitz.

My comment was on the beauty and unique quality of the living space. I think you would have quite a discussion on your hands if you spoke to the originator of California Yurts, David Raitt, or any of the people who live in these structures.

I would not run a de-humidifier on a generator. But I would run fans on solar. Did you keep the air circulating? And where did you live on HI in a yurt?

I have lived off the grid for 30 years. It is easy and wonderful, but one must be frugal with their energy use or else put in a huge system. One drawback of being off-grid is having a battery bank -- more expense and not terrifically environmental. With good care, deep cycle batteries can last 10 years. Living off grid in HI is very easy. I have not lived in a canvas yurt, but in the summer I put up my tipi and that is an incredibly pleasant way to live, especially in mild weather.


april