We started with a two-acre parcel which had several groves of Ponderosa pines and lots brush of tall Manzanita that made it difficult to see across the property. Our challenge was to choose the location for the house and also for the workshop, art studio and garage.

Below is our home site before the brush was cleared and the site was graded.

Clearing brush pushed our hand tools (and hands) and shredder to the limit. We bought our first of three chain saws but quickly realized brush clearing required more horsepower.

We finally decided a tractor was the best tool for the job. And once we cleared the brush and piled it to one side, we could clearly see across the site. We could then confirm that we had chosen the right sites for the workshop and for the house.

After we decided the north-south, east-west direction to orient the house, we graded the site to the house’s “footprint.”

Next time we’ll discuss how we chose to orient the house the way we did.

drphelps@northcoastloghomes.com

www.northcoastloghomes.com