Coast to Coast Tour
November 30, 2008 · Print This Article
This summer, begining on May 25, 2009, Jay Shafer will drive a Tiny House from San Francisco to New York. Along the way, Jay will stop in 14 different cities, making the house available for you to see. In addition, Jay will host Tiny House Building and Design Workshops in Boulder, Chicago, and New York along the way.
Last summer, in 2008, Jay drove his house from Canada to Mexico with Greg Johnson, co-founder of the Small House Society. This video documents their trip.
Jay will be driving the 130 square foot Fencl across the USA.
If you’d like to be the owner of this house, click here to learn more. Since we are driving it to the East Coast, we’ll deliver it for free to New York and the surrounding area.
Open Houses will be hosted in the following Cities:
Tue May 26 - Reno, NV 6:00 pm
Rancho San Rafael Park
1595 N. Sierra Street
Reno, NV 89503 map it
Wed May 27 - Salt Lake City, UT 6:00 pm
Jay was delayed due to car problems and will arrive at 8:00 pm
Murray City Parks
296 E Murray Park Ave.
Murray, UT 84107 map it
Thu May 28 - Cheyenne, WY 6:00 pm
Cheyenne Botanical Gardens
710 S Lions Park Drive
Cheyenne, WY 82001 map it
Sat May 30 - Boulder, CO* 5:30 pm
Homewood Suites by Hilton
4950 Baseline Rd.,
Boulder, Colorado, 80303 map it
Tue June 2 - Omaha, NE 6:00 pm
Boulder Creek Amusement Park
14208 South Street
Omaha, NE 98137 map it
Wed June 3 - Des Moines, IA 12:00 noon
Urbandale Parks & Recreation
3600 86th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322 map it
Wed June 3 - Iowa City, IA 6:00 pm
Mercer Park Aquatic Center
2701 Bradford Drive
Iowa City, IA 52240 map it
Thu June 4 - Iowa City, IA 12:30 pm
*Special Event - two Tumbleweed Houses on display
508 Melrose Court
Iowa City, IA 52246-2020 map it
Sat June 6 - Chicago, IL* 5:30 pm
Please note new location
Wabash Parking Lot (around the block from the Chicago Hilton)
Corner of S Wabash and E 9th
Chicago, Illinois, 60605 map it
Mon June 8 - Indianapolis, IN 6:00 pm
Garfield Park Conservatory
2505 Conservatory Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46203 map it
Tue June 9 - Cincinnati, OH 12:00 noon
Colerain Township Parks Department
4725 Springdale Road
Cincinnati, OH 45251 map it
Tue June 9 - Columbus, OH 6:00 pm
Whitehall Community Park
402 N. Hamilton Road
Whitehall, OH 43213 (Near Columbus) map it
Wed June 10 - Pittsburgh, PA 6:00 pm
Schenley Park Visitor Center
101 Panther Hollow Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15213 map it
Thu June 11 - Philadelphia, PA 6:00 pm
*please note we have updated to the correct address for the park
Henry on the Park
Henry & Wigard Rd.
Philadelphia, PA 19128 map it
Sat June 13 - New York, NY* 5:30 pm
Hampton Inn NY-JFK
144-10 135th Avenue,
Jamaica, New York, 11436 map it
*Workshops will also be held in the cities marked by an asterisk. Open house will be at workshop location.
You can also visit Sebastopol, CA, for an open house each month.
Hello from the cold Siberia:)
It is very difficult to read in a foreign language, but i am try:)
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Jay Shafer reply on December 1st, 2008 9:43 pm:
Welcome, Siberia!
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Any chance you can squeeze in Washington DC? Otherwise, it looks like I have train tickets to buy.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 1st, 2008 9:43 pm:
I wish I could, but it will be at least a year before I can squeeze anything new in. I hope to see you anyway.
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Hi Jay,
I’m so excited that you’re stopping in Omaha, NE! Any idea yet what venue the open house be held at?
Thanks! Jamie
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Jay Shafer reply on December 4th, 2008 2:25 am:
Not yet. I look forward to meeting you.
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Jay I love what you’re doing….Please hurry and get to Houston, TX. I want to see one of your houses up close and in person…. Have fun…
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Jenny Slagle reply on December 9th, 2008 9:27 pm:
Hey, Jay… I want to put in a plug for Oklahoma… You’re needed and welcome here… How about a North/South tour? OKC would be right on the way
If there’s any way I could help market and promo the event, please let me know…
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Jay Shafer reply on December 12th, 2008 3:57 pm:
Thanks for the offer, Jenny. I’ll contact you if we can work it in.
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James reply on May 13th, 2009 1:35 pm:
Another Houstonian wishing to see a tumblehouse! If you ever look into coming to Houston, start by talking with the Rice Design Alliance. They’ll know who you need to talk to to get a good reception.
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Jay Shafer reply on May 16th, 2009 12:23 pm:
Thanks, James.
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Aimee reply on June 1st, 2009 2:28 pm:
James, there are also tiny houses in Texas! They are called Tiny Texas Houses and they have a website!
http://www.tinytexashouses.com
Hello Jay,
I was excited to see that you will be in Boulder in May ‘09. My partner and I would love to attend the open house. Do you know the location yet?
Thanks,
Connie
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Jay Shafer reply on December 4th, 2008 1:57 am:
Not yet, Connie. If anyone has any ideas I’m all ears.
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Connie Carter reply on December 4th, 2008 4:18 pm:
I’d suggest the Boulder County Fairgrounds. Here’s a link with contact info: http://infolongmont.com/yearly_calendar.html
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Jay Shafer reply on December 6th, 2008 5:59 pm:
Thanks!
jay, i notice your upcoming orlando workshop is at or near the airport. i want to take the weekend workshop in nyc but i know NOTHING about nyc nor do i have the patience to find out! i am NOT inclined to be in that kind of traffic!! are all your workshops in the general vicinity of easy transportation and motel accomodations? and my second question is: do you forsee ever holding a workshop in the albany, ny area?
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Jay Shafer reply on December 4th, 2008 1:55 am:
While I try to get a classroom that’s easy to get to, the location is always somewhat dictated by other variables.
I’d love to do one there, but have nothing planned any time soon.
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Where will I be able to see the house when you are in Philadelphia? I have been waiting for an east coast tour. Thanks, George
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Jay Shafer reply on December 4th, 2008 1:50 am:
So far we have nothing planned for towing a house to Philadelphia.
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When can I sign up for the Chicago workshop! Eager to meet you in person. I’ve been following your work for years.
Karla
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Lydia reply on March 12th, 2009 9:36 pm:
Just click on the workshop tab and scroll down to the workshop that you are interested in and click on which days you want to attend and then add it to your cart then check out. There is also a link if you want to enroll via fax or email. Easy as pie!!
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Thank you for increasing the bandwidth of your website. The last few times I tried to visit, the site was unavailable for days… Nice to see the improvements! I hope to make it at least to one of the Ohio or PA showings, and maybe, just maybe, a workshop. This is very exciting work, Jay–Congratulations on your success, and thank you!
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Yay! You’re coming to Reno. I’ll be there!
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How about a pit stop in your old haunting ground, the Boston Architectural Center?
Newbury Street just isn’t the same anymore.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 6th, 2008 5:57 pm:
I’d love to. It probably won’t fit on my official schedule, but maybe I can do it as a day trip when visiting relatives in CT.
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Do you have a location for the Salt Lake stop? May 27th can’t come early enough! Thanks!
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every time a pleasure.
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Can anyone see the info for the stop in NYC? The page is sort of move over to the left and i cant read the words at the bottom. I love these houses!
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Jay Shafer reply on February 4th, 2009 7:26 pm:
Sorry about the technical glitch, Ethan. I’ll be in NYC on June 13 & 14. I hope that if you need more information you will either see the “workshops” page or contact us.
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Jay,
Great concept. I’m sure you’d find a nice following if you decide to visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. On the ocean, seven rivers that fall into Winyah Bay. Bike rallies in May and October. Just something to consider. Would love to see your products.
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I am so glad to see that you are traveling toward my region, but alas, you are still very far away at the closet. Cincinnati is still nearly 5hrs away. Any chance your coming farther south, say Tennessee or anywhere in this region. I’ve been wanting a small house of my own, but I would love to see it in real life first.
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Jay Shafer reply on February 11th, 2009 1:46 am:
Sorry, Josh. 5 hours it is, for now.
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Canada?
I’m in Nelson, BC- where there is a huge interest in your work, but it is a small centre- so how about Vancouver or Calgary?
Thanks!
Sharon
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Never mind- I just noticed the workshop in Vancouver- that’s great!!
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Very interested in the open house in Iowa City, IA on June 3rd @ 6p. How do I go about RSVPing a viewing? Thanks, Michael.
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Jay Shafer reply on February 14th, 2009 5:44 pm:
I believe that the cross-country open house will just be open to whoever shows up. We’ll post more about where to find the house as the time comes.
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Do you have a location for Chicago yet? If not, you might look at the Chicago Center for Green Technology. http://egov.cityofchicago.org/Environment/GreenTech/
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Jay Shafer reply on February 21st, 2009 10:59 am:
Thanks, jw.
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Have you thought of coming to Vermont? a lot of interest in sustainable/simple living here. Maybe you could contact the Yestermorrow Build/Design School in Waitsfield? They’re at http://www.yestermorrow.org. Or ECHO center in Burlington (our largest city).
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Michigan NEEDS you! We have the #1 unemployment rate in the country. People are foreclosing on their traditional houses all over the place. We need to pump some POSITIVE energy and greening philosophy into this state and now. Please, please, please make a stop here ASAP.
Thanks and best wishes for much success.
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Jay Shafer reply on March 13th, 2009 10:35 pm:
I need Michagan too! I’l see what I can do after the European trip. Until then, spread the tiny word amongst your people.
P.S. Tell all your friends they should carpool to my Chicago gig this Summer.
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Where is the Chicago location?
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Hey Jay,
Are you ever coming to Seattle? Hope So. Thx
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Jay Shafer reply on March 13th, 2009 11:29 pm:
Seattle!? What’s with the Seattle Portland thing? We get more interest from you grunge/coffee/rain loving North Westerners than anyone else. OK, if you’re going to twist my arm, I’ll come back as soon. I love it up there.
Sorry about the stereotype. If you have a better one I’ll use it instead.
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Can’t read when you’ll be in NY, something wrong with the website. Let me know, please?
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Jay Shafer reply on March 13th, 2009 11:31 pm:
Sorry, Steve. That’s June 13 and 14.
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When are you coming to Louisiana? I’m in BR, but either Baton Rouge or New Orleans would be AWESOME!!!
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Jay Shafer reply on March 13th, 2009 11:33 pm:
Awesome indeed! I’ll see what I can do.
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Would love to see you in Bend, OR. Maybe next year?
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Jay Shafer reply on March 18th, 2009 12:01 am:
I’ll put it on my wish list.
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Please correct the format for the page that lists the Open Houses. I lose the information after the first or second entry. It looks like there are two scheduled for PA but I can’t get the info. Thanks.
Would love to see a house if only I could find out where it will be !
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Jay Shafer reply on March 18th, 2009 1:34 am:
Thanks.
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Omaha!!! Yay! I’m so excited!
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Jamie Krussel reply on May 15th, 2009 12:41 pm:
lol… Me too! And Boulder Creek is right down the road from where I work too! WOOHOO!
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JC reply on May 22nd, 2009 11:49 pm:
Does 6pm mean you’ll get into town give or take an hour around 6, or that you’ll be leaving town around 6?
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Jay Shafer reply on May 29th, 2009 6:30 am:
It means I’m supposed to be there at 6, but (as the folks in Salt Lake know too well) I might be late due to weather, traffic, etc. I’m really planning on punctuality though.
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Jamie Krussel reply on May 29th, 2009 7:42 am:
Well, we can always play some putt putt golf if you’re late.
Looking forward to seeing the fencl!
Jay,
I will see you on June 3rd in Iowa! Probably at Noon because that’s an hour less of a drive from Minneapolis for me.
I can NOT wait to see one of the tumbleweed homes with my own eyes. I want one so badly!!!
See you soon!
~Shaelyn
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Jay Shafer reply on May 17th, 2009 12:51 pm:
See you then.
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Hi Jay!
You mentioned you will be visiting family in CT. Is there any way you can tow the little house with you, so those of us in New England can get a peek?
Elisabeth Turnbull’s tiny house (near New Haven) and Greg Johnson’s Tumbleweed were both covered by CT media within the last year, so there’s definite interest.
If you can’t make it up here, I’ll be taking the train to see you in NYC.
Thanks!
Jaye
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Jay Shafer reply on May 22nd, 2009 10:55 am:
I’m sorry, Jaye, but it appears that time constraints have squelched even my trip up to see family. I hope to see you in NY.
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The address for the Omaha location should be “S” Street, not “South” Street. The street is actually named after the letter of the alphabet, not the abbreviation for South. Please checck and update or a lot of people driving into Omaha from other places will be disappointed when they can’t find the location. Thanks for putting Omaha on your tour!
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Jay Shafer reply on May 29th, 2009 6:36 am:
You’re absolutely right. We’ll correct it. Thanks.
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Phoenix, Arizona, Jay? Anywhere near?
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Jay Shafer reply on May 29th, 2009 6:41 am:
Sorry, Diane. Boulder’s as close as I get.
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Hey… if you take the lewis and clark route you can hit us here in Kamiah Idaho too. Man that would be great!
James
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Jay, I am so stoked to come to the open House at Murray Park in Salt Lake City! It will be so much fun! Can’t wait to meet you and Greg too!
Ciao,
Lelly
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Jay,
Can’t wait to see the house when you visit Cincinnati on June 9. How long will you be at this location? One hour, two hours? I know someone who can’t make the noon time, but can be there at 2:00.
Thanks for this opportunity.
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Jay Shafer reply on May 29th, 2009 7:08 am:
I usually stay about an hour. Sorry they’ll miss it, but i look forward to meeting you.
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Hi Jay.. got your book in the mail a few days ago and Love it. My husband and I are really thinking hard about building our own tiny house but would love to see one in person first. Your trip takes you within 7 hours driving or a short flight of Branson Mo where we live. I was thinking of flying up to Chicago IL for a tour of the home, but I was worried that if there is as much interest as I think there will be that I may not get in. It only makes sence that a couple people would be allowed in at a time. Will you stay till all who have come get a chance to see? Have you ever had trouble with to many people?
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Hi Jay!
I’ve looked at your site off and on for a while, and I’m glad I checked your blog today. I was so excited to see that you were just “up the street” (in boulder) so we had to swing by. I love your designs and my wife was never too keen on the idea, but after stopping by she was really impressed.
Thanks again for stopping by in Boulder!
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Jay Shafer reply on June 2nd, 2009 5:07 am:
Nice meeting you, Brent.
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I love the idea of a tiny house and your trip across the country, however, you are totally missing ALL southern states! Maybe you should redraw your map!
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I notice you seem to have scheduled *around* St. Louis, but are not scheduled to be in St. Louis. Is there a problem with the St. Louis metropolitan area which prevents you showing here? Lack of a local sponsor? Other factors which can’t be discussed or easily discussed? (I can understand if there should be confidentiality issues, of course.)
I hope you can visit this area someday, and look forward to seeing your work firsthand.
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Jay Shafer reply on June 5th, 2009 7:43 am:
Time is the only problem. I can only hit so much.
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I absolutely love your tiny house! I want one now!
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I had a blast at your stop in Omaha. It was so nice to meet you. I really enjoyed it and good luck with the rest of your journey.
My brother and I discussed more efficient floor plans when we got home for quite a while and he brought up an interesting idea that I think is hilarious and awesome and I thought I’d share. He thought that the ladder in most models was very big and bulky, so why not put rubber rock climbing wall grippers on the side of a cabinet for loft access?
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Jay Shafer reply on June 5th, 2009 8:00 am:
That would be the “Sportsman’s Cabin” model.
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Hi Jay,
Thank you so much for stopping in Omaha! I loved seeing the Fencl and talking to you and everyone else that was there. Have a safe journey during he rest of your trip!
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We would like to see your house in NY on Saturday. I see you have workshops scheduled that day. What is the be the best time for us to arrive (just to see it). I presume it will be in the parking lot at the Hampton Inn?
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Jay Shafer reply on June 5th, 2009 8:09 am:
I think 5:30 or 6.
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Why would you need it removed? It doesn’t sound like a rational reaction.. What harm is the tiny house doing?
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hi jay
its kein from the iowa city stop im the one who is going to use the house for the habitat for humanity thing wanted to get a signed copy of the book when you was in iowa city u gave last to gregg when you get back can i order i signed copy??? loved the house it was worth the trip cant wait for the book and your dvd stuff thanks for coming
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Jay Shafer reply on June 7th, 2009 5:53 am:
Good meeting you, Kevin. Thank you for stopping by.
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hi, i was wondering if anyone has a suggestion about getting funded to build? i know this is far-fetched, but being one of the “working poor”, which is one of the reasons i am jazzed about tiny homes, i am of no - I MEAN - very LIMITEDmeans.
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HELP, oh won’t you please, please, please help me–eee?
Are you really coming to Cinci/Colerain tomorrow? I called Colerain Parks Dept and they know nothing of you.
What’s up?
I’ve been waiting 1 year for this!
HELP!
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Jay Shafer reply on June 9th, 2009 5:55 am:
I’ll be there.
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What happens after you get to NYC? Are you driving it back across the US? Taking a different route.
Wish you’d head north towards New Hampshire (I’d be happy with Boston or a suburb of Boston)…
We love tiny houses in New England!
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Elaine reply on June 11th, 2009 4:52 pm:
Hey Kirk, I have a tiny house in Mont Vernon, NH that I unfortunately, need to sell: http://elainelwalker.com/tinyhouse-forsale/index.html
You’re welcome to stop by to see it.
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Roger Mathison reply on June 11th, 2009 8:11 pm:
Is it a Fenci? If not, what model? Do you have a picture? Any more details including price?
Thank you,
Renee & Roger
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Roger Mathison reply on June 12th, 2009 4:27 am:
Oops, all on your website noted above. Great House!! Talk about a small footprint. Very eco friendly. Cozy too.
Jay Shafer reply on June 14th, 2009 4:54 am:
I am towing the Fencl model. It’s $50,000. Check out the houses page.
Jay Shafer reply on June 14th, 2009 4:40 am:
I’ll actually be dropping it off out here and flying back.
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Am SUPER bummed that I missed visiting Jay in Philly today, I flew there today ( I’m an airline employee ) to see the Fencl, but weather and other travel complications forced me to return on an earlier flight to avoid being stranded overnight PHL I Tried ! I will have to settle for ordering the book for now, but please look at visiting DC in a future tour, like in October this year, when the solar decathlon is being held, see : http://www.solardecathlon.org/ MIKE
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Jay Shafer reply on June 14th, 2009 4:53 am:
Bummer, Mike. I’m sorry we missed each other.
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Very disappointed I missed your house in Philly yesterday. Drove all the way out there following old address. This morning I logged on to your site and noticed that it was updated.
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Jay Shafer reply on June 14th, 2009 4:58 am:
Oh, I’m so sorry, Kelly. I wish I could have met you. Let me know if you’re ever in the Bay Area.
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Is the tour across the US over. Any plans to come to Connecticut or New England. Would love to see one of the houses. Mike
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