OETA Story on Green Cabin Off The Grid aired on 07/21/09

This is a story that aired on OETA Public Television's The Oklahoma News Report in Tulsa Oklahoma as reported by Cathy Tatom and photojournalist Edwin Wilson. For more information or to contact us, please go to the new and improved www.oeta.tv

The verbatim script follows below... THERE'S A LITTLE CABIN IN THE WOODS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY. IT SITS HIGH ON A RIDGE OVER-LOOKING THE CANEY RIVER. A COUPLE FROM BARTLESVILLE BUILT IT AS THEIR CLOSE TO HOME GET-AWAY. AS OETA'S CATHY TATOM REPORTS, WHAT STARTED OUT AS A WEEKEND RETREAT SOON TURNED INTO ONE OF THE GREENEST, AND MOST OFF THE GRID HOMES IN OKLAHOMA.

THE CHARM IS APPARENT THE MOMENT YOU ARRIVE AT ANGELA AND ROGER BOX'S LOG CABIN. THEY DECIDED TO BUILD THE RUSTIC TWO BEDROOM, ONE BATH GET-AWAY OVER-LOOKING THE CANEY RIVER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.




Angela Box: "We have a wonderful view out to the east." THEY WANTED A PLACE WHERE THEY COULD RELAX WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND GRAND-CHILDREN. WHAT THEY DIDN'T ANTICIPATE WAS BUILDING A CABIN SO GREEN, IT'S OFF THE GRID.




Roger Box: "We actually met with the power company and water company to see what our cost would be in order to get the utilities up here and since we're not living here full time but have to pay full rates to get those in which was quite expensive so we ended up spending less money to go off the grid then it would have been to bring in water from the rural water service or power from the power system." THEIR ELECTRICITY COMES SOLAR PANELS ON THE ROOF. A BANK OF BATTERIES BELOW THE CABIN STORES THE ENERGY UNTIL IT'S NEEDED INSIDE. WATER COMES FROM THE ROOF TOO. RAIN RUNS OFF ITS NON-TOXIC COATING INTO COLLECTION BARRELS. THOSE FEED A CISTERN THAT FILTERS AND PURIFIES IT FOR DRINKING. EVEN THE HEAT IS GREEN. THE BOXES BURN FALLEN TREE LIMBS FROM THEIR PROPERTY TO KEEP THE CABIN COZY DURING THE WINTER.




Angela Box: "We just love it. We're very pleased with it and surprised that we were able to do it." ANGELA SAYS THAT'S BECAUSE SHE AND HER HUSBAND DREW UP PLANS FOR THE CABIN THEMSELVES TO MAKE SURE IT WOULD SUIT THIER NEEDS. THEY WANTED WIDE PORCHES -- THE FRONT ONE HOLDS THE SWING FROM HER GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE.




Angela Box: "This is the little kitchen, there's not much to it. I don't do a lot of cooking out here." BUT THERE IS ROOM TO BREW A GREAT CUP OF COFFEE ON THE PROPANE FUELED STOVE. THE CABIN IS OUTFIXED WITH A COMFORTABLE MIX OF RUSTIC FURNISHINGS, FAMILY PHOTOS, AND RESCUED OR REFURBISHED FITTINGS.




Angela Box: "We found the front door at the reshop which is the Habitat for Humanity shop in Tulsa." AND THEY FOUND PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT NOW THAT IT'S COMPLETE, THEIR LITTLE CABIN IN THE WOODS COSTS NEXT TO NOTHING TO RUN.




Roger Box: "I'd recommend one for everyone!" IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, I'M CATHY TATOM, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

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