In the rolling bluffs and buttes of southwest Wisconsin and nigh onto the Mississippi River resides a cordwood dragon. This dragon (the eye is green) is sleeping in a cordwood “dragon’s keep.” Made of cordwood, bottles, metal and glass it keeps watch over the Driftless Zone and the other 15 dragons nestled under and near its wings. As you know a “keep” is defined as an “inner most stronghold.” The Dragon’s Keep came to fruition during cordwood workshops at Kinstone Permaculture Academy near Fountain City, Wisconsin. High atop a ridge, overlooking the Mississippi River, this dragon is ready for anything. Actually multiple baby dragons can be seen nesting in the walls. There is also a double antler shed embedded in the walls, which is now used as a coat rack. You will also notice that this wall has cobwood (cob mortar and cordwood log ends) on the bottom and cordwood on the top.
Here you can see the dragon’s eye, head and fiery tongue (black).The entrance way is protected by a cedar tree. A green dragon awaits placement in the wall. The dragon’s wing is ready to take flight.
There are five tiny dragons in this photo, can you find them all?The “keep” building crew is positive and happy with their work!
Should you wish to learn how to build a cordwood cottage, cabin or home, please visit www.cordwoodconstruction.org While you are there, click on the pictures, read the brief articles, check out the latest workshops and newsletter and if you are interested click on the ONLINE BOOKSTORE to see all the cordwood literature available in print and ebook format.If you have questions that aren’t answered on the website you can email me at richardflatau@gmail.com
Readers have requested a brief bio, so here goes:
“Richard & Becky Flatau built their mortgage-free cordwood home in 1979 in Merrill, Wisconsin. Since then, they have written books, conducted workshops, facilitated the 2005, 2011 and 2015 Cordwood Conferences and provided consultation for cordwood builders. Cordwood Construction: Best Practices DVD, Cordwood Construction Best Practices (print) and Cordwood Conference Papers 2015 are the newest publications available from their online cordwood bookstore. www.cordwoodconstruction.org