Cob house Village

The day before leaving for our Cob House adventure, I sat distracted at the dining room table watching an entertaining sight on the river. Two bald eagles were floating by, perched on top of a scrawny log, apparently content to watch the world pass by. Not far off, a seal was fishing for his breakfast. Noticing the feathered duo relaxing on their makeshift raft, he swiftly swam over, jumped up on the log, and sunk it under the water. Jolted by the unexpected interference, the eagles had no choice but to fly away.

So rude! I thought, while admitting my amusement at the scene. “There’s always someone or something lurking about, ready to disrupt our plans.” Take this weekend for instance – I’m flying to Pennsylvania and Nashville in just a few days. There is much to do before I leave, yet here I am, packing stuff for Cob-land adventures with my husband.

I’m extremely impressed with women who love camping and all it entails. Tents, cooking over a fire, dirt, bugs… EVERYTHING about sleeping out in the great outdoors. It’s not for me, thank you. I love to travel, I really do, but my idea of a good time involves a hotel, a clean bed, and a hot shower. I’m happy hiking and exploring during the day, but get me inside a structure (preferably a nice one) at night.

Soooo… back to the Cob Village. Instructions were to bring rubber boots, flashlights, layers of warm clothing, and drinking water. I’m nervous cause this sounds a lot like camping to me! The directions took us to the far outskirts of a small Southern Oregon town. Deep into the woods where no cell phone, electricity, working toilets, or coffee machine dare to function. Basically it’s nature, mud and Big Foot. After the last and final gravel road, we came to a clearing where we parked, gathered our stuff, and hiked in. (The picture below is the bridge and entrance to Cob Village)

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Was it muddy? Oh yes. Was it cold at night with no heat source? Yep, for sure. Was it extremely wonderful? You bet it was!

Linda and Lantos built this village using supplies from the earth and donated scraps of wood and metal. Their water comes from a stream, firewood from the surrounding forest, building materials are hay, straw, mud, and clay. They maintain, teach, and inspire others to build in this creative, unique, and ancient way. They are incredible people and the best hosts you could ever ask for.

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Narrow gravel muddy paths lead you past winding Cob walls, fairy-tale-houses, and other structures, many in the process of being finished. Artful gates designed with winding twigs and branches, roofs alive with grass, ferns and other foliage. Amazing!

Before going to bed, Linda drops by to light a fire in a small rocket heater that warms things up a bit. The comfy bed had enough blankets to effectively keep us pinned down and still during the night. I’ve added pictures because it’s impossible to adequately describe the place without them.

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Our Cob house looked like something out of Hobbitville. Twinkle lights sparkled in our living room from solar energy, hand-applied baubles became art on the bathroom wall. The fireplace, bench seats, walls, and floor, are all hand-formed and made out of Cob.

Morning chased away the black night and featured a wonderful breakfast in the eating cottage, cooked on a propane stove, followed by a hike up to a waterfall.

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As in most of our adventures, we had a great time. I can’t say for certain if Cob House living will ever be featured on our White Canvas. But I’m learning to be grateful for the interruptions in my carefully planned out day. Having someone playfully and intentionally knock me off my log now and then is a blessing…even if my feet do get muddy and wet! Anyone interested in Cob Village? I’ll be happy to pass on the info