Hello,

I have been thinking for a while now, that I would like to have a holiday home leading into retirement

I have always liked cold climates, typically go skiing in the Alps in Europe every winter

My fascination is with a log cabin somewhere, fire blazing and plenty of scenery around

My dilemma is though - where to go?

I would like to be somewhat in the distance of most towns, but I can't decide between scandinavia and North Americas

If anybody here can suggest where they would go and build a log cabin I would be delighted with the suggestions

Tasmania :D

Might be a bit too far out haha but it sure is pretty.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ihh6W0CZb4Q/SYdvbgcY9oI/AAAAAAAAABQ/iEbemYENCt4/s400/Dove+Lake+at+Cradle+Mountain,+Tasmania,+Australia. jpg

The problem with Tasmania is that it is full off Tasmanians :)

Sorry I don't mean to be rude, but I used to be pub friends with a couple from tasmania, and I used to say it to wind him up :)

He did show pictures of his home and like yours it looks absolutely what I am looking for

Problem is - no snow :( I want that feeling you get from being out in the cold all day, and come in doors to the smell of warmed up alcohol and a roaring fire

That looks a great place for when I am sick and tired of the snow :)

Cheers Shaz, great pic!!

True there is only snow down the south of the state and even then it's only for a few months...
I have never actually seen snow :eek:

And yeah I'm used to all the Tasmanian jokes :p

Unfortunately I don't know much about the rest of the world, I have only ever left Tassie once before and that was to go to Melbourne (45 minute plane trip away)

Not to mention all the snakes, spiders, and god knows what else that lurk in the depths

I am from England and as such the nastiest thing we have here is the wife :)

Why leave tassie, when you have beauty like that on your doorstep why go anywhere else :)

Oh yeah giant spiders, killer snakes, it's great :rolleyes:

Our house is coated in surface spray to keep away the creepy crawlies :D

Nearly all of my friends have journeyed over to England in the past few years and they all said the atmosphere was pretty much the same as here.
Except for the nasty wives :p

Hahahhaha, I think the only difference between our nations is the sun :)

The only thing I fear is horses, but the idea of a huge man killing spider hiding on the dunny just doesn't appeal to me :)

Plus my grandad had a photo he took during the war of a friend of his who woke up to find an anaconda trying to swallow his arm - it made it up past his elbow before he woke up

That picture still creeps me out today, but then seeing it as a 6 year old I am not surprised

Wow, yeah that would scare the heck out of me now!
I'll post a pic of a slithery friend I came across when walking at the park here... he was just sunning himself on the path, didn't even notice that I nearly trod on him :rolleyes:
Used to be terrified of them as a kid, now we live nice and close to the hospital they don't bother me lol

I'm a huge horse lover, we used to have an ex-pace horse, loved him to bits, can understand the fear though, gosh darn they hurt when they step on your feet :p

Im 6'5" and as such very things around me are bigger, so when I do meet horses and I am slighty weary, which obviously the animal picks up on and shows back, it's a catch 22 I think rather than a fear

Eitherway, the pic - yep even at that size I would be turning round and walking away :o

How could you not see it - and sure its warming itself up and when ity does it will be ready to pounce:eek:

Around me are NOT bigger - must learn to read what I type!

Go hang around some miniature ponies and work your way up ;)

There's snakes everywhere near my parents house, luckily they have only ever had one dog bitten by one... $1500 worth of anti-venom later he was fine :eek:

Do you have any pictures of the places you are thinking of moving to?

Go hang around some miniature ponies and work your way up ;)

There's snakes everywhere near my parents house, luckily they have only ever had one dog bitten by one... $1500 worth of anti-venom later he was fine :eek:

Do you have any pictures of the places you are thinking of moving to?

Now there is an idea, problem is because of my height I scare the little ponies away :eek:

I want to have scenery like this

http://www.blueplanetadventures.com/images/Canada_Coast-Mountains.jpg

With a home like this

http://www.timberlogcabins.co.uk/images/base_r5_c2.jpg

But just don't know where to go on the planet other than it has to be snow - real snow, 5 feet deep powdered, and so cold your nose drops off

You need to go to Alaska Phlanx. Has everything you are looking for and the people are wonderful!

Cheers J9

See that is the area I am thinking, cold snowy etc etc, but where exactly in Alaska do you recommend?

Cheers J9

See that is the area I am thinking, cold snowy etc etc, but where exactly in Alaska do you recommend?

I lived in Anchorage AK. Beautiful town, you can get away from it all, but still have the big city nearby if you want.

The view is beautiful and changes every day!

Now there is an idea, problem is because of my height I scare the little ponies away :eek:

I want to have scenery like this

http://www.blueplanetadventures.com/images/Canada_Coast-Mountains.jpg

With a home like this

http://www.timberlogcabins.co.uk/images/base_r5_c2.jpg

But just dont know where to go on the planet other than it has to be snow - real snow, 5 feet deep powdered, and so cold your nose drops off

This is my dream retirement as well!!

Salvo J9

Just been looking on Google maps - man you have to them for that alone :)

Anchorage - okay then Place Idea 1 - As far as I can see, you can travel 50 miles in any direction, and you really are in the wild

Plenty of scenery judging by the terrain

Not many small lakes around, except the main ocean inlet heading towards anchorage

Is this area of water relatively calm, i.e. doesn't have ocean surge and winds, but is governed by normal inlet water conditions?

Also, how frozen does this water become in the water?

Are we taking 1m thick here or just really cold?

I have spent much of my life in traffic, in meetings, missing out on wildlfe that I just can't see for the sprawl of concrete - I want nature and I want in my face :eek:

Plenty of scenery judging by the terrain

Tons of scenery and loads of wildlife.


Not many small lakes around, except the main ocean inlet heading towards anchorage

Actually there are TONS of small lakes, streams and rivers. The fishing is a way of life up there and tons of fun. Oh, and I don't like fishing, but could not wait for weekend fishing trips while living there.



Is this area of water relatively calm, i.e. doesnt have ocean surge and winds, but is governed by normal inlet water conditions?


No winds except for in the winter when it is snowing. No surges to speak of aside from the tide coming in and out in the Cook Inlet. The ocean water is relatively calm.



Also, how frozen does this water become in the water?


The ocean water does not freeze, but the lakes and streams do.


I want nature and I want in my face :eek:

You can have that! I had a mother moose and her baby blocking me from going to my laundry cabin one day. Eagles abound. Got to be careful of the grizzly bears when camping. The salmon are as big as me!! :eek:

Now that's sounds good to me - thanks for that!

Looking for more info on other places as well - anyone got any ideas of anywhere else that is perticular stunning?

Montana, snow, cold, open and seclusive:D Sorry I don't have a picture, but it would be close to the other that was posted, but with more snow.

Here you go Phlanx... an Alaskan night in December

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:_ar1TJkUwCZQ1M:http://iguide.travel/photos/Alaska-1.jpg

Wow... I'm moving there :eek: