In The Host’s Own Words
The Ninemile
We are excited to welcome you to our home in the Ninemile Valley, located 20 miles west of Missoula, Montana. “The Ninemile,” as it is colloquially known in the present day, lies within the ancestral territories of the Bitterroot Salish (Selis), Pend d’Oreille (Qlispe), Nez Perce (Nimiipuu), Coeur d’Alene (Skitswish), and Kootenai (Ktunaxa) peoples and is bordered to the east by the Flathead Indian Reservation where descendants of 3 of these tribes now reside. Present-day Ninemile residents live on a mix of working ranches, hobby farms, and horse properties, bordered by the Lolo National Forest. Ninemile Creek is a major tributary to the Clark Fork River and hosts populations of native trout, while the mountains bounding the valley on either side are home to charismatic megafauna of many species, including the occasional grizzly. In the 1990s, a pack of gray wolves naturally re-colonized the Nine Mile and became the subject of Rick Bass’s book, The Ninemile Wolves.
Your Hosts
Your hosts are Angela and Lucas and their two kids, a first grader and kindergartener. Years ago, while still living in Missoula, we climbed a peak in the Ninemile on a date and dreamed about what it would be like to live here, thinking that we’d probably never be able to afford the opportunity. We did just that in 2019 with the help of Craigslist, a little luck, and a willingness to take on a bit of a project. We were both raised on farms in very rural areas, and one of the things we appreciated most about the Ninemile was the sense of community and neighborliness. We hope you’ll get to experience that when you join us at our workshop. Given our professions in forest ecology and forest management, one of the aspects that drew us to this place was the opportunity to steward 20 acres of gently sloping woods featuring the iconic ponderosa pine (Montana’s state tree!), Douglas-fir, and western larch and a diversity of native understory species. We are also a stone’s throw from a trail network on public lands by which visitors can access a charming fishing pond via an easy 1.25-mile walk through the forest. Spring weather allowing, you may enjoy some of the produce from our large garden and possibly even a breakfast or two with eggs from our lively flock of chickens.
The Build
Our build is an annex to our main house intended to be used as a home office, craft studio, and music room. At just 540 interior/712 exterior square feet, we plan to pack a lot into an efficient space!
The design is a traditional timber frame (succinctly defined as large posts and beams connected by wood-to-wood joinery) with a straw bale wrap. In 2022, we built a timber frame carport, which became the prototype for the studio and gave us a degree of reassurance that the undertaking of a major owner-built construction project might not destroy our marriage and could actually be enjoyable.
We were drawn to the timber frame-straw bale combo for its artistry, durability,energy efficiency, and potential to maximize the use of sustainably produced, renewable building materials that continue to sequester carbon for as long as the structure stands. The Ninemile is one of the last watersheds in the area not affected by catastrophic wildfire, and we know that wildfire is not an “if” but rather a “when” scenario; we are intrigued by the potential of straw bale construction to withstand impacts from fire and as an alternative to wildfire resistant building materials like steel and concrete whose extraction and manufacture generate substantial carbon emissions.
Your Stay
We are glad to have ample space to accommodate those who wish to tent camp and plenty of shade and hammock trees. Our home is in the mountains, though, and while it should be pretty easy to find enough flat ground for a tent, space for campers or camper vans is limited. We estimate that we can host up to 4 camper vans or slide-ins with a maximum length (vehicle + camper) of 20 feet and will allocate these spots on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have something larger and don’t mind driving, we can recommend a couple of RV sites within 10 to 20 minutes. There are also Airbnbs nearby. You can find options by searching for “9 Mile Valley near Missoula.” If you don’t want to travel with a bunch of camping gear, just let us know – we have some we can lend.
Diversions are abundant during June in western Montana. If you arrive early and want to sample a bit of what the town has to offer before heading out into the sticks, we encourage you to visit any one (or all 3) of Missoula’s Saturday markets. Anglers should check river conditions before they pack, as high flows and turbidity are typically beginning to abate by mid-June, and fishing conditions can be really good. Fly-fishing is allowed on both Ninemile Creek and on the Clark Fork, and a 1- or 5-day permit can be purchased by non-residents for a reasonable fee. We have a couple of good swimming holes within a mile and a half (one on foot). If you can’t imagine going anywhere without your mountain/cross/gravel bike and/or a pair of running shoes, they will be more than welcome here. For those more inclined to kick back after a full day of lifting bales, you’ll find plenty of appealing spots to plop a lawn chair and enjoy a beverage while contemplating the mountain views and grandeur of 100-year-old trees. For workshop participants with children, we hope you will feel welcome to bring them.
Transportation
Missoula International Airport is 30 minutes from our house and the most convenient option. Spokane International Airport may offer slightly cheaper flights and is a 3-hour drive (losing an hour going east). We want to do everything we can to reduce your logistical considerations and plan to offer shuttle service from the airport in Missoula for flights arriving prior to 10 pm on the day before the workshop. For those arriving later, we will do our best to work something out so you don’t have to rent a car.
We are thrilled to share this lovely, rich location with new friends and helpers and look forward to cultivating a rewarding experience for all workshop attendees.
