This is my grandparents house. Grandpa built it about twenty years ago, and they have lived there ever since. We visited it all the time growing up, and I have many memories of feeding the ducks and sledding on the hill.

Not until recently did I appreciate the unique construction. This house is built directly into a west facing hillside.

The partially in ground home keeps cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, and it also has a built in root cellar. The west facing sun warms it in the winter, and a volunteer box elder tree in the deck provides shade in the summer. The tree came right up through the deck, and my grandparents made a hole for it. I like how nature often provides what you need as long as you are looking and taking advantage of it.

This rock is from the hillside above.My grandpa did most all of the work on the house himself.

There is a pellet stove inside and very open concept small home and over-sized garage that had been great for my handy grandpa. I have enjoyed sleeping over in the living room for years.

It is built on a natural spring, that also provides water for the house. The spring forms a small pond usually filled duck. It exits the property in a stream filled with watercress.

My grandparents are older, and I hope they are around for many years to come. But if not, I will always have found memories of visiting them in their unique home in the mountains.