Last night was my first night in an Earthship. The one I'm staying in is owned by Michael Reynolds (the originator of the Earthship concept) and currently occupied by Jess Watson and her partner Rich. Jess runs the intership program and staffs the Visitor Centre at the Greater World. Rich is an engineer.
The "house" (can you call it that?) is one of thirteen that are located halfway up a mountain at 8500 feet. Taos is at 7200 feet. We have a great view of Taos - mountains in the distance and immediately to the left, the lights of Taos twinkling in the distance. It is beautiful. Awesome! The community is called REACH which stands for something... can't remember at the moment.
Today I hung out at the Visitor Centre at the Greater World community. I must have heard the Earthship 101 video about 15 times - there were a lot of visitors coming through. Also spent some time touring the GW - visited the Phoenix, a 5 Star earthship which is amazing in all regards - more on this later, and a more normal earthship, and the job site that we'll be working on tomorrow. Meet many of the stars from the movie Garbage Warrior (the "crew") but am yet to meet Mike.
Anyway I should go to bed because tomorrow is the first day of work on the job site at The Greater World community about a half hour drive from REACH. I'm car pooling with some interns who drove from Canada, Sebastian and Julie. Must be up early tomorrow.
Above is a picture of me standing next to the Visitor Center at the Greater World. And below is a shot of the "planter" in the Phoenix.
3 comments:
Hi, Marty!
Thanks in advance for making an effort to journal about your experiences as a GW intern.
My wife and i are determined to begin construction on our own home within 12 months after our fourth (and final!) young'un leaves the (admittedly inefficient, suburban) nest next summer.
In the last four years, we have both become voracious learners of all things ES-related. Based on everything else we've read, you'll probably be fairly-well fried by the end of most days, but any personal glimpses and observations into the process (while they're fresh in your mind) will be a welcome addition to our ongoing education.
May you go from strength to strength (methinks you'll need it)! B^)
vicariously,
db
Drew,
You're right I'm fried in more ways than one actually. But I'm gonna take it slow tomorrow. It's a cyclic thing... a bit of this and bit of that to keep things interesting.
So are you considering earthships? Where are you from?
Cheers,
Marty
Hi, Marty!
my wife and i are in Oklahoma City, and yes, our next residence will be an earthship design.
We are almost exactly as far north of the equator (35° N) as Adelaide is south of it (34° S), although our terrain averages 300m or so above sea level. Interestingly, Taos is only slightly farther North at 36°, but what a difference a km of altitude makes!
Our nearest ocean water is about 600 km to the south. I suspect that without the temperate effect of your coastal winds, our climate is quite similar to yours.
We are blessed with an abundance of red clay-laden earth, as well.
Our frost-line is typically 50cm, and depending on area drainage, the water table is typically 100m down or more.
Hence, nearly all of the questions you listed in your first post are of interest to us as well (particularly the reasoning behind not using poured earth or pneumatic tampers to fill tires, erm, tyres).
Much has changed in Earthship construction and design since the three ES books were published in the 90's; what are the most significant changes you've seen?
Thinking about the physicality needed to pound many hundreds of tires, i'm reminded of a poem from a wise Dane:
Problems worthy of attack
Prove their worth by hitting back.
Looking forward to reading more from you as you're able to compose your thoughts. Here's hoping they haven't worn you out irreparably during your labors (erm, labours)! B^)
Happy Saturday!
db
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