Cabin
Years ago, I bought a small piece of land on a "resort" property in Missouri. I quickly began thinking about building a cabin there. Even though I no longer have that property, it is something that I may end up doing someday.
There are basically two types of cabins I can build. One is a more primitive cabin, a step up from camping. It would not have electricity, running water, waste water, or telephone. The other is a full featured cabin, which could serve as a basic home in a pinch.
Basic Cabin
A basic cabin needs a bedroom or two, a kitchen area, and a main area.
Two bedrooms may be advisable, so guests can be brought. In the worst case, boys and girls can split up into the two rooms. I could keep beds in the rooms, or I could build bunks. Two double bunks on either side of the room could sleep four in each room.
The kitchen area should have a counter and some cabinets and drawers. The cabinets and drawers will be used to store items such as plates, tableware, glasses, and cooking utensils so they needn't be transported. Maybe some canned goods can be kept there as well. There should be a place for a large cooler. If electricity is available, then the kitchen area should accomodate an electric kitchen.
The main area should have a wood stove for heating. It should have some seating, either a sofa or a padded bench, and a recliner or some simple chairs.
There will either need to be an outhouse or a private "bathroom" that holds a portable toilet.
The walls can be built out so that insulation and interior wallboard or paneling can be added later. I might also plan for electrical wires and plumbing to be added later.
I like the idea of a metal roof.
Hunting Cabin
A hunting cabin would be much like the basic cabin, but with hunters in mind. It would be built near an area with good public hunting lands, and serve as a place to stay. It wouldn't need a separate bedroom, but it would have bunks in the main room. The kitchen area, as well, could be located in the same room.
Essentialy, it would be a single-room cabin with bunks, counter and cabinets, and a wood burning stove.
A hunting cabin needs pegs for hanging coats, a place to stow and dry boots, and a place to stow guns (or a gun cabinet). A porch would be nice for taking off boots. A place out back to clean a deer carcass. A cabin with electricity could have a place for a freezer. It should be possible to shutter windows, otherwise good light blocking curtains are necessary.
In Missouri, an ideal location for a cabin would be Macon. It is close to all kinds of public lands around Macon, Kirksville, and La Plata, and it is only an hour away from Fountain Grove.
Full Cabin
A full cabin should have electricity, running water, sewer or septic field, and facility for a telephone line. It should have a full bathroom, a basic kitchen with full appliances. The walls should be insulated, and heating and cooling should exist.
The main area should include an office nook, where a computer can be located.
There should also be a reasonable amount of storage space. A basement would be ideal.
Shooting Area
It is likely that the land I use to build this cabin on will also have a firing range on it. I need a storage room, which might be a separate building, to contain target stands, chronometer, etc.
Shop/Range
What about getting a place in Missouri for a Shop and Range?