On Tour
Jay Takes His House on the Road
This July, Jay Shafer will be taking his tiny house on the road as he travels along the West Coast from the Canadian Border down to the Mexican Border.
Jay will be joined by Small House Society co-founder Greg Johnson as the two demonstrate the versatility and endurance of a Tumbleweed Home. The pair will sleep in the tiny house and make stops at many cities and towns.
7/11 – Open House in Seattle, WA @ 4:00 p – 6:00 p, at Habitat for Humanity map
7/12 – Building Workshop in Seattle, WA @ 9:00 a -5:00 p at the Habitat for Humanity
7/13 – Design Workshop in Seattle, WA @ 9:00 a -5:00 p at the Habitat for Humanity
7/14 – Updated Open House in Victoria, BC @ 11:00 pm, at Ferry Parking Lot
7/15 – Open House in Olympia, WA @ 11:00 a – 1:00 p, at Cabellas map
7/15 – Open House in Portland, OR @ 6:00 p – 8:00 p, at 3712 N Borthwick Ave
7/16 – Open House in Eugene, OR @ 12:00 p – 2:00 p, at Owen Rose Garden
7/16 – Open House in Ashland, OR @ 6:00 p – 8:00 p, at Lithia Park, Winburn Way
7/19 – Building Workshop in San Francisco @ 9:00 a – 5:00 p
7/20 – Design Workshop in San Francisco @ 9:00 a – 5:00 p
7/23 – Open House in Mountain View, CA @ 5:00 p – 7:00 p, Google map
7/24 – Open House in Santa Cruz, CA @ 9:00 a – 11:00 a, at Coffeetopia on Mission St.
7/24 – Open House in San Luis Obispo, CA @ 4:00 p – 6:00 p, at Sinsheimer Park on the west end of Southwood Drive
7/25 – Open House in Santa Barbara, CA @ 9:00 a – 11:00 a, at Carpinteria State Beach map
7/25 – Open House in Los Angeles, CA @ 5:00 p – 7:00 p, at old K-Mart on 3150 N San Fernando Dr.
7/26 – Building Workshop in Los Angeles, CA @ 9:00 a – 5:00 p
7/27 – Design Workshop in Los Angeles, CA @ 9:00 a – 5:00 p
7/28 – Open House in San Diego, CA @ 11:00 a – 1:00 p, at Mission Bay Beach – Crown Point map
We will update our website when locations become known. Have a suggestion one where we should go? Please suggest a location to hold our open house.
Comments
109 Responses to “On Tour”
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I know it’s not really an option this time round, but I’m sure tour dates in the UK would be very well attended. There’s nothing like your marvellous designs over here at all.
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Brenda Chandler reply on June 11th, 2008 11:54 pm:
We’d love to see you while you’re in Los Angeles. Do we need to make a reservation? Please send location details when you have them. Brenda and Lisa
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 12th, 2008 2:10 am:
No reservation needed. We’ll update the list of locations in July, and send an email as well.
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I’m happy that you’re coming down the coast, so we all can see your wonderful tiny house. I’ve been wanting to see it for a long time, but getting to Sebastopol, CA is rather difficult for most of us to do. Thanks for being on tour.
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Can hardly wait to see the tiny house “in person”. Maybe my church would be able to provide a spot to set it up. How much parking would you need, do you think?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 11th, 2008 4:32 pm:
A location with 30 parking spaces should suffice. Hopefully *free* parking.
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Polly McGraw reply on June 15th, 2008 7:05 pm:
My church, St. Clare Catholic Church, located in southwest Portland, would be able to provide a parking lot for the house and room for more than 30 cars free of charge and would be interested in promoting the event as part of our Sustainability Committee’s efforts. Please let me know if you would like to set up on our location or not. Also – what else would you need?
Polly McGraw
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Hey Jay
I see you plan to “Ferry Tumbleweed to Victoria” – and also plan to be in Olympia, WA early(ish) the next day. Does that mean that you are simply passing through Victoria – not setting up anywhere?
Will be a shame if that’s the case, but I do understand that there are time constraints.
Cheers & much good luck on your tour
J
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Daniel reply on June 19th, 2008 3:58 pm:
Not to mention the logistics – Tsawassen will mean $$$ to take something like that across and Port Angeles is waaaaay far from Olympia, especially with something like that in tow.
Good luck, y’all
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I have admired the homes you design for years. However I live in Kansas and am a young 62 but driving to the West Coast by myself is not something easily done. I was wondering if you have sold any house’s in my part of the country? I would love to see one for real. Do you suppose some nice small house person might let me see one if you have sold one in the area? It is quite an investment to make sight unseen.
Thank You,
Velma Clausen
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 11th, 2008 11:04 pm:
We’re trying to get more tiny house owners to particpate in the occasional open houses. It won’t necissarily happen right away, but I know it will eventually.
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Cara LaForge reply on July 14th, 2008 8:29 pm:
I’m a second person in Kansas (Kansas City) that would love to see one of your houses in the area.
Regards,
Cara
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I have been a member of your newsletter & really enjoy reading about your Tiny Houses, my question is are you by chance going to do a USA tour eventually, being here in Arkansas it would be a awesome idea to show your houses here & I know my partner & I would really enjoy building one of them to help cut back on expenses in every way possible.
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I have been dreaming about owning one of your tiny houses for years! How I wish you were coming to Denver!!!
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I just wanted to say that the updates on your website are GREAT. The new photographs of the smaller models really help in getting a better idea of the space. (Plus it’s nice to see that Jay has learned how to make his bed.)
I live in Vermont but have friends in Santa Barbara and I might try and plan a trip to coincide with your open house there. I hope the intrest and attendance is such that you guys have to hire crowd control!
Best of luck and have a safe tour.
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Thank you for coming to Portland. The rebuilding Center would be a ideal place to have a open house it fits in well with what they are doing with recycled building materials and they have excellent connections with the community. If that does not work, I would offer my place on the river at Quinn’s Cove for a open house.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 12th, 2008 4:55 pm:
Thanks for the fantastic suggestion. We’ll contact them for sure.
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Dee Williams reply on July 13th, 2008 7:20 pm:
Hey, we’re going to be just around the corner from the Rebuilding Center on the 15th from 6 to 8. Dee
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Hi! I second J’s comment about the trip to Victoria.
Will you actually be showing the house in Victoria? I would love to see it in person!
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 12th, 2008 10:28 pm:
We’re not sure if the house will be shown when there. Jay called and they said that taking it on the ferry is no problem. But we don’t know how customs will react, and there could be complications. We’ll call ahead and see if we can get more details worked out in advance. We don’t want to tell you we’ll be there, but not make it because we got caught in red tape.
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Emily reply on June 18th, 2008 8:00 am:
I’d like to join the Victoria welcoming committee.
In my extensive experience at that crossing, I’ve found Victoria customs to be reasonable and pleasant to work with. I’d be more worried about getting a reso on the ferry than getting through the border.
Post if you need help with finding a place to set up, I can certainly help with that and I’m sure many others can too. Friends in culture sector, hospitality, etc.
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Coreen reply on June 19th, 2008 5:01 pm:
I think you would have great response here in Victoria!!! …and I am sure there would be plenty of people willing to help:) Please consider showcasing your lovely homes here!
Coreen
I also built a tiny house (well, really an enormous bird house) out of bits of an old barn and a salvaged railway cart, and pushed it (by brute force, none of this car trailer business), towards the pioneer trail in Nebraska. You can see a video of it here http://www.christopher-robbins.com/albatross/
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I just registered for Seattle. I would buy plans first, and attend for free, but didn’t see how to do that. So, I reserved my place instead. Hopefully we can work something out regarding plans then.
Thanks
Bryan
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Wow, I’ve thought about small house designs for about 13 years now. I saw a piece on television about a man in Maine who built a house with the efficiency of a sailboat. It was beautiful inside.
Look forward to meeting you in Los Angeles and keep up the great work. Be safe!
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Awesome. TOTALLY Awesome!
You need to hit the GULF Coast on tour. I would be happy to help out!
Nan Gile
Broker
Panama City Beach, FL
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second the gulf coast tour! please come to new orleans. please. i’d be happy to help you get it set up. and i’ll take you out for jambalaya & a fais do do to boot.
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In Santa Barbara we have Earl Warren Showgrounds, just off the #101 freeway at the Las Positas exit. Not very picturesque, but it has plenty of parking. In town, on a Friday morning, the County Bowl parking might work. Their performances are in the evening, so they should have enough space. The beach area is beautiful, but parking there in the City lots is charged by the hour & street parking is restricted to residents. Let me know if you need help.
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When will the East coast tour be scheduled???
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Kristen reply on June 24th, 2008 1:16 am:
Please come out to the east coast!!
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John reply on June 24th, 2008 1:27 am:
We’d love to see you and your tiny house on the East Coast!
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Daniel reply on June 24th, 2008 2:30 am:
If you look on the workshop tab above:
Asheville, NC Saturday & Sunday Sept 13-14
That’s the only one I’ve seen that they’re doing for the east coast.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 24th, 2008 10:54 am:
We were in New York earlier in the year, and will go back to the East Coast again sometime in 2009.
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nancy reply on July 10th, 2008 10:33 pm:
Hi,
I cannot attend the workshop at this time, but would love to see the house when it is in Asheville. Will the house be available for tours to the public, or just the workshop attendees?
Any plans to tour in Canada? Toronto in particular?
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For years I have been dreaming of owning a small house….I’m looking forward to finally being able to see one! I’m also looking forward to meeting both Jay and Greg. I think this is a partial answer to solving so many problems with our enviornment.
To be free of a mortgage payment…to be free to breathe easier…priceless!
God bless you guys for doing such important work!
Sincerely,
Susan
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Susan Strassel reply on June 24th, 2008 11:48 pm:
How can I help the Small House Movement? It certainly would be helpful if more and more people joined it. (Sorry for mistake in spelling environment in my last comment)
~Susan
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I am so fed-up with outragously high rental rates that I would give anything to own my own tiny house – The only problem is that I live at the beach and every inch of earth is consumed by massive construction and I don’t know of anyone with any spare land or even extra space in their backyard – Does anyone have any ideas or recommendations?
Trisha
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I see there’s a date for Olympia, but yet to have a location. I would love to go see the house on tour. When might you have an exact location?
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Dee Williams reply on July 13th, 2008 7:17 pm:
Hey, we’re meeting in the Cabelas parking lot. You can find the address at http://www.cabelas.com. It’s the only cabelas store in washington.
See ya there!
dee
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Just wondering, how many bedrooms would one of these homes be able to hold. I have my wife and 3 children (2 girls & 1 boy). A second bathroom, or 1/2 bath would be helpful.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 6th, 2008 6:27 pm:
Jay’s Epu model, that is on tour is designed to sleep 2 people. Our larger homes, such as the “Enesti have 3 bedrooms, and 1 1/2 bathrooms.
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Aleta Genzel reply on July 6th, 2008 7:37 pm:
My husband and I are wanting to build the Lusby, but were wondering if you thought that was feasible with two children? We’re adventurous and wanting to just go for it, but wondered if you’ve had any feed back from others who live your tiny spaces with children?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 7th, 2008 5:22 pm:
You would be the first to do it.
Well, admittedly, It would be for a short term…like 6months to a year, while we traveled around the country. I would like to believe the short term would work out ok, without any of us killing each other, since in the long run, we would return to a bigger house.
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Jaclyn Bailey reply on August 1st, 2008 2:16 am:
I wanted to build one and I have two kids, but only for a play house in my back yard
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Will you be “showing” the house while in Victoria, BC? If so, could you please let me know where and at what time?
Thank you
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Hi! I just saw that you added a date for an open house in San Diego. I am really looking forward to it, but I see you still have not decided on a venue; may I suggest Balboa Park? It is a very central location and there are a number of places where you could set up the model and anything else you need. From what I know the park commission is very welcoming toward any sort of exhibitors:) Hope this helps and I really look forward to coming out!!
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Hi!
Do you have any plans/advice about how to renovate small condos?
I would love, love, love to buy one of your houses, but there is absolutely no way I can afford to buy an entire lot locally (or anywhere compact enough that it’s feasible to live without a car) and just put a single-occupancy house on it. There’s just no way. And I’m not willing to move somewhere where I’d need a car, even though land is cheaper there.
So I’m currently looking at buying a condo. But since most condos are nowhere near as well designed for small living as your houses, it looks like I might end up needing one with considerably more square-footage than a tumble-weed house that I’d be perfectly happy to live in. And it just seems silly that I would need that much more space.
So do you have any blue-prints/advice/resources for fixing up small condominiums, for those of us who choose to live car-free, and thus live where land is more expensive?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 9th, 2008 6:19 pm:
Sorry, we don’t have anything for condos. It’s an interesting idea. I wonder if there’s a website out there that has information on that topic?
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Paul B reply on August 8th, 2008 5:44 pm:
you could always buy the land and sub divide the property (condo the land basically). my wife is in real estate and thats becoming increasingly more popular way to afford land prices
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Is there any change you will be going to Michigan? I would like to see Traverse City or any West coast location between Holland North.
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Where in Ashland,Or. on July 16? What time?
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If you come to Victoria and set up… I’ll bring cookies.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 10th, 2008 7:21 pm:
Great. We’ll be there. Looking forward to the cookies
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On your way to down to Mountain View next week, why not swing by San Francisco City Hall and park in front of the new Victory Garden for a few hours?
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Woo Hoo!
So happy to see you’re going to stop in Victoria!! I better start baking.
I would change your listing to say Victoria BC Canada just so people don’t get confused and go to Victoria California.
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Will you ever be coming to Arizona? I have been a fan of these homes and would one day love to have one. I live in Kingman, AZ. thanks, Vikki
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Months ago, I remember seeing an upcoming workshop in Atlanta, Georgia. Was that canceled?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 11th, 2008 3:38 pm:
It’s in September.
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Doug K reply on July 14th, 2008 9:48 pm:
Thanks for the reply, but I don’t see it on the workshop page. I see Asheville, NC, but not Atlanta, and that’s the only workshop I see listed on the East Coast.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 14th, 2008 10:07 pm:
If I said Atlanta earlier, that was a mistake. We’ll be in Asheville, NC only this fall.
it is nice
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where is the Ashland presentation?
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Please post Eugene location soon! I have to drive several hours to get there, and don’t want to make the trip unless I know where to go when I get there.
Thanks!
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[...] multiple open houses and seminars along the way. Check the schedule on Resources for Life and the Tumbleweed Tiny House [...]
Dang – I missed Seattle? I would have come by and said Hello when you were in town – or you could have come by and toured my Tiny House.
Hope your tour goes well!
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 16th, 2008 5:34 am:
Dang indeed! Would have loved to come by and see your tiny house as well. If you’re ever willing to host an open house for the public, please let us know.
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I can’t wait to see your tiny house in Asheville in Sept, unless you make it down to Charleston, SC.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 16th, 2008 5:30 am:
Jay will be flying to Asheville in Sept and wont have his house with him on that trip.
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COME TO ARIZONA!!!!!!
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two questions:
do you have an affiliate program allowing my web guest to buy your homes from my website?????
I see you are to be in LA this next week,
please advise me of the venue location, times, etc.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 18th, 2008 8:52 pm:
No affiliate program yet. It is something we plan on adding in the future. We’ll post the LA location in a couple of days.
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Will you be down by the State Beach in Carpinteria?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 22nd, 2008 12:40 am:
Yes
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Hey, Jay – I’ve got a few people who are interested in seeing your house at Google on Wednesday. I’d hate to make the trip if you’re hung up somewhere. Can you give us an update? Where will you be? Please let me know if possible. Thanks!
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 23rd, 2008 2:05 am:
We’ll be there in front of Google. I’ve updated the map location on our site.
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Hi, I’m driving up from north county San Diego to the LA workshop on Friday for the Saturday & Sunday workshop. I bought a ‘bring a friend’ ticket but my friend is no longer going. If anyone would like the ticket and/or carpool, just let me know. My email is lori ann krueger at gmail dot com (no spaces, no underlines).
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 23rd, 2008 2:04 am:
Hi Lori, sorry to hear your friend isn’t going to make it. Have you found someone?
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Lori reply on July 23rd, 2008 4:19 am:
Nope. Oh well, so be it. Any ideas for a cheap hotel anywhere near the Getty? Everything I’m finding is dreadfully expensive. I think I’m going to come up Sat morning after all. ….anyway, still seats available in my little convertible if anyone needs a lift
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My wife and I have been waiting for a chance to see your home, We live in San Luis Obispo. But we’ve noticed that you location when you get here is still listed as TBD, have you any Idea yet of your location?
Thanks
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 23rd, 2008 2:03 am:
It’s posted now.
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Today is Wednesday, 7/23, and I happen to be in San Fran on business (I live on the East Coast).
I’ll be flying out on the red-eye, but was hoping to catch you, since you’re only 20 minutes from the airport tonight–Is the open house really over at 7 p.m., or is there a chance you’ll be around a little later?
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Any plans yet to bring the tour east to New England? Specifically the Boston area? We have some major home shows up this way.
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i am really sorry i missed your open house today. i looked for updates but i must have missed out. is there any chance to can see the tiny house before you leave los angeles? i have to work on Monday so not very likely I will be able to get up to San Diego. i think your work is fabulous and i do wish you the best of luck and safe travels.
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Gayle reply on July 27th, 2008 6:03 am:
i went by on Friday about 5:15 to the Los Angeles site but no tiny house there. I think some people were waiting but I couldn’t even turn into the parking lot …. typical Friday Los Angeles traffic and went on home. Will you come back?
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Jay Shafer reply on August 20th, 2008 3:26 am:
I’m sorry, Gayle. We were an entire hour late, and we had to do it along side of the gated lot. I hope to see yo someday, but we won’t be back very soon.
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Hey Jay and Greg,
Thanks for a great Build and Design workshop. i can’t wait to get
started on my “tiny house” project, actually thanks to the design workshop I already have! Good luck with the rest of your travels.
I look forward to crossing paths with you both again.
All the Best———Kevin M.
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Jay Shafer reply on August 20th, 2008 3:22 am:
Good luck, Kevin. It was good meeting you.
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It was really nice meeting Jay and Greg today and seeing Jay’s place. You were both very kind about answering the questions of everyone at the open house. I really think the EPU looks bigger in person than it does on Youtube, but I may be spacially challenged. Thanks for going on tour guys, I’m looking forward to the next one! Have a nice journey home!
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Without plans before me, I am trying to parse out where you have the bathroom, and what it includes. Is is like a motorhome shower, toilet and sink set up or do you stick with just a kitchen sink? What are the bathroom floor dimensions?
Bummed that I didn’t know you’d be in SF last weekend. Have any idea when you’ll be back in the Bay Area? So many natural building people around here who’d love to see your house in person.
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Jay Shafer reply on August 20th, 2008 3:14 am:
We generaly do a open house of my place on the first Sat. ea mo.
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I’m a little disappointed to hear that Jay won’t have his house with him for the Asheville workshop. I’m wondering if maybe there are any Tumbleweed homeowners in that area that might make their home available just to be able to see one in person. My friend and I will be taking a road trip from Memphis to attend the Sept workshop but are having second thoughts if there won’t be an actual house to see. Either way I’m pretty sure we’d attend, I have a list of questions that just need to be answered by someone who’s “been there and done that” so to speak.
doug-
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[...] is planning to tour the West Coast with his home idea this summer. Check out dates and locations here. He currently lives in a very small house. I think he’s smart. Bigger isn’t always [...]
Jay-
We love these homes. The perfect in-law house or company quiet zone, hunting cabin ect… makes the mind whirl.
We live in NW lower Michigan- do we need to insulate differently?
Keep up the great designs!
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Hey Jay, I was one of the people who saw your house when you came through San Luis Obispo. I was the one bugging you with all the logistic questions re: construction, but I forgot to ask one… Could SIP’s (Stuctural Insulated Panels) be used in the construction of one of your tiny houses?
Thank
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Jay Shafer reply on August 20th, 2008 2:30 am:
Yes. I was going to do this at one point but haven’t yet.
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So, how about the Midwest? Madison, WI? Milwaukee area? I’m really interested to know how much the Tumbleweed house weighs–what kind of vehicle is needed to pull it. Is the framing stick lumber or lightweight steel? How does the roof hold up going down the highway?
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I think it was asked before but I didn’t see a reply so I’ll risk asking it again. Is there a location for the Asheville workshop set? I’m scheduled to attend but I have no idea where I’m going.
I’d just like to make hotel arrangements close to where the workshop will be held is all.
Counting down the days,
doug-
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Jay Shafer reply on August 20th, 2008 1:26 am:
I’m counting too, Doug. And I’m still looking. I should know this week and will post it on the site.
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hey are you guys in dallas texas now august 22 thuoght I seen you driving down greenville ave
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Jay Shafer reply on August 22nd, 2008 8:49 pm:
Must have been someone who purchased one our designs. I’m sitting at home in CA.
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I would love to see your homes.I live in the South (Alabama) and I think a tour from MS,AL,GA,SC,NC,TN,KY,W VA etc would be very well received.The South needs options and knowledge on affordable,eco friendly,and build it yourself homes.Would love to see this occur.
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Andrew J reply on October 25th, 2008 5:03 pm:
Agreed…I live in Huntsville, AL, one of the greenest cities in the country and full of progressive young engineers, and these would catch on like wildfire here.
Doing a tour in Nashville or Atlanta would be very well received.
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What a GREAT idea. As a single male-bachelor–(Just me and my Dog)–this would be perfect!!
The homes actually look like something worth living in!! (vs. a card board box/shack).
I hope your idea takes off!
Have you thought about taking this to 3rd World Countries for Affordable housing?
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Jay Shafer reply on October 28th, 2008 3:17 am:
Thanks! I have done a tiny bit with the Katrina efforts, but we’re still too small to make too much of a dent yet. All things in time.
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Really it is very fantastic idea,i welcome this ,it very nice to see and easy to move….
homes for sale by owner
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Any planned stops in the Phoenix area? I absolutely love this concept. A small house on wheels. Park it for the summer in some far away plot of land, Trim the underside with some lattice and sprinkle with plants and you have a summer cottage. Too cool.
Thanks.
Randy
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[...] to visit with Jay and Greg be sure to refer to their itinerary posted on Resources for Life and the Tumbleweed Tiny House websites. Photo credit to Greg Paul Johnson and Jay [...]