So this is what I've been working on...

I've been on my computer for several hours each night, but I've been so busy trying to figure out how to build a cabin, I haven't had any time to post!  I made up some floor plans tonight, so I can show what I've come up with:

First Floor

Second Floor

The plan is for a 24' x 24' footprint, with two stories and a plain gable roof.  I've had some pretty intense building sessions with my dad, and I'm actually feeling surprisingly confident about Karl and I doing this ourselves (with some help from his dad, of course)!  Money is always an issue, so I'm trying to keep it as low cost as possible.  Most of the walls on the second floor wouldn't likely go in when we're building.  I don't mind if the upstairs is one big room if it means we can get some more important things accomplished.  Utility hookups are going to be our major expense - In Alaska, you aren't even guaranteed access to electric on any given lot!  Luckily, the area we're planning to search for land will probably have power lines, but water or natural gas is highly unlikely.  This means a really expensive cistern and bulk water delivery (rather than a really REALLY expensive well digging), and probably a pellet stove.  I kind of want a wood stove really badly, but they just aren't that efficient and can't burn unattended as long as a pellet stove can.  Check pellet stoves out here.  Kind of fits into my goal of being as environmentally friendly as possible - most pellets are made from scrap wood or sawdust.  Unfortunately, I haven't found one at less than $1500...  I'll try to document the building plans as I go, so everyone else can save up and build their cabin in the woods, too!