Building Gypsy Rose

How sweet it is! Looks like your making progress in the sugaring process. Got the buckets, taps, and the labor no stopping now! Nice seeing you the other day at the Shipyard. Enjoy the weather.

Ed

Ed,

Good to see you, too. Looks like we're back into the deep freeze for a few days with the possibility of another foot of new snow from the nor'easter that's tracking up the coast. The sap has retreated but should be flowing again by the end of the week.

All the best to you!
Kevin

I'm not sure what's worth more these days--Sox Tickets in a declining economy or fresh Vermont Maple Syrup?

Somehow, you've caught the attention of Jay Shafer. He mentioned your site in his Blog.

Drew,

Good question. The retail price of a gallon of Vermont maple syrup goes for more than the typical price of a ticket at Fenway Park. Given what's happened to the Sox ticket prices in the past few years, that should tell you that maple syrup has gotten VERY expensive - somewhere around $140/gallon.

Looking forward to boiling sap this weekend! Now, if only there were a spring training game I could listen to on the radio while I stoke the fire under the evaporator . . .

Best,
Kevin

At $140 a gallon, you could easily sell it on the black market and use the proceeds to build your own Tiny House business based on variations of Gypsy Rose. You could even take a different approach from what others are doing by holding on-site workshops where paying customers and enthusiasts could build their Tiny Homes with your guidance.

What do you think?

Drew,

No need to sell it on the black market as there are many alternatives for selling Vermont maple syrup through ordinary channels. The state's sugarin' business has always been made up of "mom and pop," family run operations. For many reasons, sugarin' is one sector of Vermont agriculture that has never been threatened by large corporate competition. For the most part, everyone who produces can find a market.

From what I understand about the tiny house business, sugarin' would be much more profitable. I do, however, hope to continue providing information via this blog, etc., for those interested in building their own small home.

Yesterday, while boiling sap, we had a visit from a very nice couple and their young son. They're planning to build a tiny, portable home of their own and came to see us along with their builder. We enjoyed being able to answer their questions and show them some of the notable features of Gypsy. Wonderful folks.

Best,
Kevin

Kevin,

Vermonters are fortunate. Down here in Taxachusetts, anything and everything is considered fair game under the strict regulators.

You're also correct in your assessment of the Tiny House business. I debated a few rounds with Jay Shafer supporters over the weekend on his blog over the issue of his unusually high fees.

It's a major reason why people like me visit your site--because of its accessibility and your willingless to share information.

More good news from the Nation--Lester is signed and secured for the long haul for reasonable dough and Daniel Bard can throw some serious heat!

Drew,

Thanks for the feedback. It's very exciting for me to see others taking on their small home design/build projects and I hope to keep expanding this blog with my own learnings. (I've been meaning to get to the multi-part entries about solar power for the past couple months.)

Yes, it was great news to hear about Lester's signing. Looks like we've got a pretty decent lineup coming together. (I was surprised to see the Baldelli signing earlier.)

Very soon the sounds of the WEEI Red Sox radio network will be back in my daily routine. I haven't been to a game since Schilling v Brown at the last home game of the '04 season. (Sox 11, Yankees 4) Until ticket prices return to a more affordable level I may have to just come and hang out on Yawkey Way for the pre-game scene . . .

Best,
Kevin

Kevin,

I believe we're only in the 1st inning with the Tiny House Movement. The more details, information and building tips that are shared, the more empowered the everyday working person becomes.

Am I sounding like closet "Free Vermont" advocate?

I've always liked Baldelli's hustle. I'm surprised Theo didn't attempt a trade for Eric Byrnes.

Due to economic uncertainty, my family actually had to bail out on our season tickets.

Look forward to seeing a Solar Power post.

Thanks,

Drew

My wife and I are building a small home like yours and plan to use it in Illinois. Ours is being built on a 22' trailer and we're going to use a composting toilet but do plan to have running water. How do you keep your water supply from freezing? Do you use heat tape and a hose connection to feed the water? What about the gray water runoff? We've got access to electricity, an old well and septic on a farm but are still concerned about the cold winter months. Thanks for any ideas and for this great blog.

Scott,

We use a 50 gallon water tank that is located inside Gypsy - under the couch. The tank is filled manually from water we haul from the stream. Even in the coldest months, the stream does not freeze up.

Our plan for gray water is to eventually plumb the drains to French drain under the rear corner, but in the interim we simply collect it internally and take it outside and spread it on the field.

We're off the grid with electricity coming from solar.

All the best,
Kevin

Thanks for the info, one more question, we ordered the Sun Mar Mobile Composting toilet, I think like yours, did you add the heater?? we did not and are wondering if we should have. Since we are in construction mode, now is the easiest time to add it. Your thoughts?? We read the blog about the extension on the air vent, that was really helpful.
Thanks again for the info.
Have a great day