Kitchen Cabinetry & Mobile WIFI Hotspot!

More updates soon to follow! We are moving ahead with the construction of the interior cabinetry of ARK-A starting with the kitchen. Having the work shop truck, the M109A3, has been indispensible. It is such a luxury having a specific purpose built space for all our tools and hardware, plus all the work bench surface area to build on. Currently we are running the gasoline generator to power the 110V power in the truck, enabling us to run all the power tools, the air compressor, and this laptop as I'm typing this.

Which reminds me we just signed up for Sprint's 3G/4G "Overdrive Mobile Hotspot" so the mighty Internet Gods have shined upon the Arkhaus once again! And should allow us to make more frequent updates to the website!

Winterization Update for February

For most of the winter things have been pretty slow around the Compound (or as I like to refer to it - "Mud Island"). I've been preoccupied with the work that needs to be done on the Deuce first before we can make the final few supply runs up here necessary to complete the interior of ARK160A and get the Savonius Wind Turbine operational.

You can expect the next few weeks to bring more updates as Winter subsides. Soon we'll also have a new section on the website about the Arkhaus Initiative's latest aquistion - a 1970 M35A2 "Multi-fuel" cargo truck and Jennifer's homemade healthy dog treats!

Our Container House is nearing completion!

26 New Photos! Click here to view them now!

Patio Construction!

For months we have been fighting a losing battle with mud around the entrances to the prototypes. But two nights ago my brother-in-law showed up with a dump truck full of 3/4" gravel. Jen and I had spent a few hours gathering stone from around the property in order to create a perimeter, everything being "dry laid". It was fun dirty work and we are quite pleased with the results. No more mud and less of a step up into both containers. Plus it looks pretty cool too. As the stone settles we will have to make adjustments and see to it that things stay relatively level. And if we get bored of the patterns its easy to modify. Initially we just planned on having a 10' x 10' area but with so much gravel now at our disposal it was decided to try and connect the patio with the fire pit with a short foot path. For now I think its going to work great!

Free Heat & Owls

The marine diesel stove is installed and fully operational! As of this writing it has been running for approximately 24 hours non-stop and still going strong, consuming 3/4 of the 2.5 gallon tank we have hooked up to it. We are still in the process of setting up the two tank system for this stove, once that is in it will be a simple matter of starting the stove with regular diesel then once its warmed up switching over to waste vegetable oil. And ARK160A has yet to be fully insulated but the stove is doing a great job keeping it warm inside. We're going to be very thankful for its steady (and CHEAP) heat while trying to finish the interior.

Jen has started painting in the studio and has completed a cool blue owl who's taken roost on our window sill! She's going to be adding a "store" to our website where you will be able to purchase her artwork and other Arkhaus Initiative merchandise! Stay tuned!

I love the smell of split cedar!

The cedar shingles have been fastened into place on ARK160A's front exterior wall. Just needs to be stained and the trim around the door and window painted. Why cedar? As a siding, cedar is versatile. Although we have chosen to stain to enhance the natural wood grain, one could just as easily paint it any color. Cedar is naturally resistant to moisture and decay, as well as swelling and warping, making it very durable. Even capable of withstanding hurricane force winds.

It was chilly today and the issue of heating and exactly how well the propane heater and diesel heater work was the topic of discussion. So tonight we bought a 20lb tank of propane along with some other odds and ends for the gas line and barring unforeseen delays the Studio space will be heated by this time tomorrow. With the exterior of ARK160A finally approaching completion the next thing on our to-do list is the installation of the casement window into the port wall. Stay tuned!

-T

The Compound as of October 10th 2009

Shelves, Shower & Casement Window

Jen bought a metal shelf kit, they look good and have allowed us to take organization to the next level. Still plenty of room left to utilize for storage in the closet of ARK160B.

My Father and I traveled to the Reading area to purchase a fiberglass shower and take a look at some windows. I spotted a dark brown casement window with a screen that was within my budget. So we jumped on it and the shower and brought everything up to the Compound this afternoon. The shower fits perfectly although we're still a few steps from its permanent installation.

The priority now is to complete the front frame, mount the entry door, the slider window, sheathing and weatherproof the exterior wall. With that out of the way we'll be free to focus on the interior of ARK160A and stay sheltered from the Wintery weather that is on its way.

The Compound as of September 23 2009

-T

The Compound as of September 18 2009

Greetings!

Today turned out to be a fantastic day! A light rain followed by strong wind and plenty of sunshine! A fellow compatriot brought up a selection of firearms and a milk crate full of ammunition which we happily unloaded into some clay pigeons for an hour or so. Good fun! I'll be posting some videos soon I filmed today at the Compound so stay tuned...

Rain Harvesting Update!

The first phase of the Rain Water Harvesting Roof is officially operational as of this past week. We still have to run the hose and assemble the pump system to bring the water up from the 55 gallon drum on the ground to the 275 gallon poly tank on the roof for long term storage (Phase Two).

I had hoped to catch last weeks rain but it was not to be. However, tonight it poured from about 5PM till 9PM. We were able to harvest somewhere between 20-30 gallons! Not too shaby for the first harvest here at the "Moisture Farm!"

Cheers!

-T

P.S.

My Father and I also elevated the second Container onto block and leveled her last week. Meanwhile Jen has been helping me paint the main Container and I dug out a new stone camp fire ring!

Marine Diesel Heater

The Bulkhead Mounted heater was originally in a fishing trawler that sailed out of San Diego. My Father donated it to the project after winning it at auction on Ebay! Its no frills, stainless steel, diesel burning design is ideal as an efficient heating solution for the main Ark Prototype. Like Jen's Mercedes Benz 240D this will be a two tank WVO burning system.