Myrtle the Yurtle

So, the newest project that has popped up is the yurt.  Thousands of years ago, Mongolians started making really sweet portable housing that aided in their numerous brilliant war tactics.  Capitalism being what it is, has brought this wonderfully fun tent design to our modern day doorsteps. We have an American version of the yurt out on the farm, and now we have a traditional Mongolian yurt yards away from the South Village that will hold the marimbas and various academic outlets throughout the year.  It all went down something like this:

Chris: "Jason, I found a really great deal on a yurt, and the guy will even help us set it up."
Jason: "That's great, we've been looking for one for a while."
Chris: "Yeah, the only thing is that we have to have a foundation built and be ready to set it up in 2 days."
Jason: "oh."
(pause)
Jason: "Let me make some calls and get back to you."
Brian: "Hello."
Jason: "Brian, I need your help."
Brian: "ok."
(lots of hammering sounds)

(next day semi-truck pulls up)
 Yves: "Where should I park this thing?" (strong French-Canadian accent)

putting up lattice work frame and door

Jason: "This door is only like 4ft tall; I didn't know the Mongolians were so short."
Yves: "That is a common misconception, Jason.  Actually they are pretty large people.  The size of the door is actually related to energy, weather and materials efficiency."
Jason: "What are some other interesting things about the yurt?"
Yves: "Well, all the wood is sustainably harvested and hand crafted by the Mongolian family.  The lattice work is tied together with Camel rawhide.  The ropes are hand-woven horse hair.  The wool insulation is felted from their own flocks."
Jason: "Wow."
Brian: "If we aren't doin' it like they used to a hundred years ago, then we aren't doin' it right."
Yves: "Indeed."

Hand-crafted and painted wood work

Lattice held together by camel rawhide

Horse-hair ropes meticulously made by Mongolian family

Yves: "It usually takes me about 30 minutes to set up one of these by myself."
Brian: "How long have we been at it now?"
Jason: "Oh, about 3and a half hours."
Chris: "Great work Guys, want some doughnuts?"
(you bet we did)

securing the support poles around perimeter

putting first layer of cotton over structure

this is Scott

(FINALLY, after much hard work (and Herculean strength from Scott, pictured above))

I need a doughnut

Tudah...


Yves: "It was a pleasure working with you all and doing business with you.  I'm off to Canada." (the french part of Canada- hence the accent)
Brian: "I want to sell these things."
(handshakes and business card exchanges)
Farm School:  "THANKS YVES, FOR HOOKING US UP WITH SUCH A GREAT YURT!"
Yves: "And thanks to you for supporting the Mongolian craftsmen who made this all possible."
(Hugs and more handshakes)
   THE END...

So, we got a yurt and now you know how.  Special thanks to Brian Piepergerdes (see him for all your yurt needs and questions), to Scott Talmadge for the extra hand, to Yves for all your accommodations, to Chris Von Lersner for your hard work and nourishment, and to all our significant others who put up with, and strangely enough, support our crazy endeavors to make this school cool.  Oh yeah, and to the Mongolians for thinking outside of the box (get it, outside of the box- the yurt is round, get it now, that's hilarious).

Come check out the new yurt everyone and see how beautiful it is.