[Cob] Info request

[kc harmon]

I am truly amazed at the immediate and positive response from people on this list.  Thank you! I know that "newbies" questions can get old after awhile!

Darel asked about the demographics of our land:

We have 40 acres in SW Colorado.  The property is very remote, close to the Utah border.  Lots of rocks (sandstone), cedar and pinon. Our property borders a vast area of BLM public lands.  

We are close to Mesa Verde National Park and Hovenweep National Monument as well as Canyon of the Ancients.  The Ancient Ones built their homes using the same materials we have available on our land.  We will have to buy staw, and sand (available in the next county. 

I'm not sure about the frost line.  Weather has changed drastically out here in the past 5 years.  We are in  extreme drought conditions.  Seems like nothing is really freezing for any period of time.  Also, ponds are dry and staying that way so the water level is very low.  Someday, we may dig for a well but...not anytime soon. 

Elevation of our land is about 7,000 ft. with good SW exposure for maximum solar.  It can be windy so I am very interested in learning all I can about harnessing the wind for power!

I like Jake's idea about using rammed earth tires for the foundation.  I was going to build dig a trench and fill it with rocks but the tires sound good too. 

We would like information on the following:

Foundations:  I'd love to hear more about foundation ideas

Plumbing-do you simply cob around any plumbing you wish to do?

Wiring-can you cob around the condiut and leave it at that?

Heating - in a picture I saw on the Internet, someone was using a 50 gallon barrel as a stove to heat with in their living area - any input on this?

Cob Ovens - I'm interested in this concept.  I'm not much of a cook but my daughter is!

Wind Power - Our area is rated low for windpower by somesort of governmental survey.  Obviously, the powers that be have not spent much time in the SW corner of Colorado!  Perhaps their survey was geared more toward using wind turbines to supply large urban areas?



Thanks again everyone!

KC
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