workshop & visitor housing

EDIT June 2014: only camping is available currently - we no longer have visitor housing (except rooms or cabins provided to instructors).

So far, we have the following housing at the project (skip to housing updates below):

base camp

VIP bedroom - queen size bed (usually reserved for instructors or jet pack visitors)

bunk bedroom - currently one bunk bed with one full, one twin; and another bunk bed with 2 twins on the way

red cabin - currently one full, one twin bunk bed

camping - lots of room to pitch a tent, park a camper or RV

shop or garage space - if needed for a bedroll, tent leaks, etc.

the laboratory
access is currently rough - all wheel drive is required

newer tipi

partially painted tipi

8-man nylon tent

camping - lots of room to pitch a tent

Current workshop housing pricing (might not apply for some events):
$20 per night per person - tipi, tent, trailer or bedroll camping - waived for those who have listened to more than half of the podcasts
$30 per night per person - bunk bed in shared room in base camp house or red cabin

Additional nearby housing - including hotels, b&bs, lodges, campgrounds, etc. provided upon workshop registration.

Please see or post your favorite places to stay in Missoula or car rental in Missoula.

There have been a few more questions about housing fees.

The camping fees still apply to what some might consider self-contained campers. There is still an impact on the project (in multiple ways).

These fees do not cover meals. Refer to the workshop information to see how or if meals are included in your workshop.

Jocelyn has been asking me lots of weird questions in the last few days about fees and exceptions and stuff. And it sounds like she is far too polite to convey what I've been telling her: I'm a money grubbing sunuffabitch - I charge that much because I can. And so when people try to find excuses to be able to get some sort of discount, I really want to charge them double.

So, whenever anybody asks me "what is the money for?" my answer is always "The three H's: Hookers, Heroine and Hooch."

Another possible way to look at it is: for each $20 per person, it is $0.50 for land impact stuff and $19.50 for dealing with all the crazy that comes with collecting fifty fucking cents. So when somebody starts asking lots of weird questions, I think there should be a $40 fee for the extra crazy.

I hear Jocelyn talking to people about getting all this ironed out and for most people, the entire transaction takes about 45 seconds - everything just makes sense and it is done. Then for some other people, they seem to be fishing for a discount: "what if I only stood on one leg the whole time, pinched off all my farts, and once a day hopped down to the county road and farted on public property instead of farting on your property?" and then they want to argue "But if I'm standing on one leg, isn't that half the impact?"

I suppose when it comes to the numbers I entirely pulled out of my ass, then we have a requirement .... You must be THIS apathetic to ride this ride.

(I tried to find an image of "you must be this tall to ride this ride" and found this - too funny to not share (it's a t-shirt!))

Jocelyn Campbell wrote:
the laboratory
access is currently rough - all wheel drive is required

I forgot to mention that for workshops at the lab, or camping at the lab, we ask that people park at base camp.

Then, we will use the EV's, or Paul's RAV4, (or a larger 4WD if available) to shuttle folks to and from the lab.

Base camp access should be fine with a regular or 2WD vehicle, even if it snows.

paul wheaton wrote: Then for some other people, they seem to be fishing for a discount: "what if I only stood on one leg the whole time, pinched off all my farts, and once a day hopped down to the county road and farted on public property instead of farting on your property?" and then they want to argue "But if I'm standing on one leg, isn't that half the impact?"

Haha, I think we get that same person writing about volunteering at least once a year! I know what you mean.

Look folks, if you want to go and participate, just pay the basic fee. Nobody eats every single thing that's offered nor gets exactly every single facility they think they need, but it's good enough, in fact it's great, and it costs something to put it together so you can go and stay there, regardless of your little details, so just budget in for it. You're spending a lot more than that in just transport to get there, most likely!

Updates November 2013:

base camp

VIP bedroom with queen bed - still reserved for instructors or special guests

bunk bedroom - now has two full/twin bunkbeds - likely to have ~4 occupants in January 2014

red cabin - likely occupied in January 2014 (interior picture)

porta cabin - uninsulated as yet, but has a solid roof - likely occupied Spring 2014

(variable/rough for now) shop/auditorium - possible shelf bunks and/or loft space (see the loft area in the background of this pic)

camping - lots of room to pitch a tent, park a camper or RV

the laboratory
access is still rough - all wheel drive, or one of our e-UTV's is recommended

newer tipi - needs new poles - drying out for the winter in the shop/auditorium

partially painted tipi - occupied by the dynamic duo doing the RMH in a Tipi adventure!

8-man nylon tent - down for the winter, but will be available in spring

camping - lots of room to pitch a tent

Edited Dec. 2013 to show that all beds, bunks and cabins are currently booked for 2014. Meaning only camping and one tipi will be available.

Hummmph sounds nearly complete, but there is no mention of 'the old rail freight car' parked out back...where everyone that visits, is obliged to spraypaint their autograph, and mark how tall they are.

james beam

I think that if a person comes and is really portable, they can sleep in the VIP room when we don't have a VIP and sleep in the bunk room when we do.

Both the red cabin and the love shack can be easily upgraded - especially by somebody with a bit of DIY ability.

Because folks have asked: we do not have RV hook ups. At base camp, there could be some limited, intermittent access to electricity for an RV or two - depending on the workshop circumstances and no guarantees.

Though there are plenty of places at base camp to charge personal devices - and there is wifi at base camp - for all types of campers or visitors.

Just curious if there is an update for places for visitors. Me and hubs are highly plotting a visit.. unfortunately highly dependant on our funds though /:

It depends on when you are here. And when you commit to being here.

In the summer, there is always camping. Though we still need potential visitors to check with us first, before scheduling their trips.

Other beds or housing, when/if open, are available on a day by day basis.

There is at least one person waiting to hear back on when he can visit this year (2014). We still have a bunch of details were working out.

Here's my best attempt at "selling" this thing... a shot I took while staying at the lab.

Another thing that has come up:

There is some timber company nearby - some with camp sites. Apparently you can camp there for up to two weeks.

This could be great for folks that brought pets, children, other people, whatever.

There is shiny new housing thread that has replaced this one
https://permies.com/t/52736/labs/State-Lodging#428013