Discover the simple beauty and tranquility of Living Tiny while surrounded by soft, green hills. Sip a cup of coffee while gazing at greenery from the living room or back deck. Lounge in a hammock, meditate or write, explore the 80-acre property, or relax on the back deck by the outdoor fire pit. Enjoy a breath-taking view of the stars from the outdoor hot tub. Come in after enjoying nature and relax with a glass of wine in an elegant, modern tiny house. A perfect, peaceful get-away.
The entire footprint of this home is 12x32 (not including decks)--but for a tiny house, it actually is quite spacious! Huge windows with beautiful views of the Nebraska countryside, fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances, in-ceiling speakers, wifi, a Smart Projector w/ a 67" screen & a 32" Smart TV--both equipped with Netflix/Amazon Prime/Disney Plus--, large back deck, front deck, 3'x5' shower, washer/dryer, indoor fireplace (turned off during summer months), outdoor propane fire pit, oak floors, reclaimed barnwood accents throughout. All on a spacious property of rolling hills and spectacular views.
My tiny house has a wide-open feel first because of the landscape (rolling hills and NE plains), and next because of all the windows that let that nature in. I designed and built this house myself, and wanted two things in order to give it an open, bright ambiance: High ceilings and big windows. I wanted to look at nature all the time, and tried to "bring the outside in". It turned out exactly how I wanted! This house is one of those "Not-so-tiny" tinies. Once inside, it feels bigger than you'd think, but it's still technically only 342 sq feet on the bottom level. Since I was custom building it for myself, I had to include a few luxuries and wish-items! My favorite features are: the heated floor throughout the bathroom and bedroom, the fire place, the big back deck/carport, in-ceiling speakers throughout the house, the electric fireplace by the master bed, the hardwood oak living room/kitchen floor, the reflective ceiling tiles (create an illusion of space and 'bigness'), the look of the storage stairs, the off-grid water system, the barn wood that I incorporated throughout the house, and the huge picture window in the living room. Transform the living room into a home movie theater with the Smart Projector--equipped with Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix)--and a 67" screen so you can enjoy large-screen movies and entertainment on the downstairs level!
My desire for everyone who stays in my home is first, that you feel valued and valuable, and second, that you feel and enjoy the peace that I feel in this space.
Please be aware that like most tiny housers, I have a composting toilet—it’s environmentally friendly, saves a ton of water, and I love it! (I also built it!). But please be conscious of this fact before you book, and know to expect it. I know this type of thing isn’t for everyone, though most people seem to adapt just fine. If you are unsure about it, just ask.
More about the space: This tiny house is on a vast 80-acre property! However, be aware that other people reside on the property: my friends John and Audrey live on the property about 400 feet north in a farmhouse on the other side of the grove of trees, and I live further north of them on the property in another tiny house on the property. There are also two other tiny houses in the area that are regularly rented--however, they are separated by privacy fences to preserve that "away from everyone" feel.
The entire tiny house and immediate surrounding area is yours! For food: You have access to all kitchenware, spices, anything in the pantry, cupboards or fridge, coffee/coffee makers, etc.
We also have an "In-(Tiny)-House" Coffee Shop, equipped with an espresso-maker, french press, drip coffee, and pour-over--in case you would like to make a fancy coffee in the morning! Ground and whole beans are provided (dark and medium roasts).
The grocery store and local pizza place are an 8-minute drive east, there's a yummy burger dive (Bob's Bar) 9 minutes south, and a large variety of restaurants is a 30-minute drive East.
The Property:
Our property is so peaceful! Away from the city, away from the stress. You can see the stars at night and listen to the birds chirp in the morning. As a guest here, you'll have access to the entire property: 80 acres! Whilst a guest here, you have full access to the entire property--except where the cows are (in the summer months). Such a tranquil, remote setting!
Specifically, this Tiny House is about 150 feet east of another tiny house (I call it my "Teeny Tiny Cabin") which is also routinely rented out. The teeny tiny house is also about 100 feet southwest of another cabin. Strategically-placed sections of privacy fence effectively screen this and the other tiny house from view. Overall, there are three cabins sitting on a secluded 3-acre area, each at least 150 feet from the other and separated with privacy fences.
On-site Activities:
Bonfires: The fire-pit across from my house is for your exclusive use and enjoyment! Chairs, side tables, and wine glass holders are provided.
Lawn games: I have a selection of lawn games for summer fun: Corn hole, Bocce ball, Giant Jenga, a Soccer and Football, Big Dice (for Yard Yahtzee and 19 other dice games), Croquet, and Kube (this one is super fun!).
Hot Tub: Enjoy an incredible sunset from the bliss of a steaming hot tub! If it's a clear night, wait until the stars emerge, and marvel at the most stunning display of stars you will ever see! There are bound to be a few shooting stars in the mix too, so watch for those.
Fire pit on the Deck: Relax out on the large back deck with a glass of wine in front of the (propane fueled) fire pit! Lay in the hammock and star-gaze, and just enjoy the sounds of nature around you.
Hiking: Hike along the trail circling the property, or go off the trails and hike the hills on your own! Or, Ponca State Park has excellent hiking.
Grill: Make a juicy steak and crisp veggies on the grill!
Picnics: Picnicking whilst taking in the panoramic views on the top of the huge hill would be a memorable highlight!
Bird and animal-watching: We have many varieties of birds and animals on the property, specifically in the grove on the North side of the house. Also, on the South side of the house, the 21 acres there is newly designated as a CRP property and attracts much wildlife!
Off-roading: Bring your ATV for the property and low-maintenance roads (there are plenty!).
Nature-gazing in comfort: Enjoy the sweeping views of hills and nature from inside the house, without fighting mosquitoes or sweltering or frigid weather! Take in the beauty, minus the elements that can make it uncomfortable. This was a main goal of mine when designing this house--so enjoy!
Snow activities: Bring your snowmobile or snowshoes during the winter; the place is perfect for those types of activities!
Nature walks: Not only are these popular with kids, they are educational! Click here for a good one!
Ponca State Park: Lots of activities here, from archery to horseback riding, to canoeing, to hiking. Craft times are also offered at various times.
The Surrounding Area/Off-site Activities:
The town of Ponca is an 8-minute drive East of my house, and there you will find a grocery store, a pizza place, a great burger place, a gym, post-office, pharmacy, doctor's office, etc. If you want a larger town, South Sioux City, NE and Sioux City, IA are a 30-minute drive East. Population of about 120,000--so lots of shopping, eating places, etc, in that area. Vermilion is another medium-sized town that is about 20 minutes West of us.
Ponca State Park: Ponca State Park is only a 10-minute drive away, and I highly recommend visiting! It has some fantastic hiking the trails!
Canoe/fishing: 1.5 miles from my tiny house is Powder Creek Lake--which is great for fishing or kayaking/canoeing.
Ice-fishing: I've never had someone do it, but it's worth a try! Set up your station on Powder Creek Lake!
Transportation to the property:
During seasons when it is very wet, it is a good idea to have a 4-wheel drive vehicle to traverse the 4 miles of gravel road leading to my house. The road tends to become quite muddy and can be tricky to drive in, so 4-wheel drive is best if there is a massive amount of snow melting, or after days of heavy rains. There is an alternate route that's easier to drive in this case. Additionally, snow is usually cleared out by the city fairly quickly after snow falls, but occasionally they have waited a day or so to do so. Contact me if you have any concerns. Before your stay, I will be in communication with you about any potential weather issues and give details about the terrain/alternate routes.
**There is another lone Tiny House about 1/4 mile north of Big Gray. It is gray, white, cedar, and has blue doors. This is not your tiny house; do not turn there. If you keep going for another 1/4 mile, you'll see a group of three tiny houses; the Big Gray Tiny House is the second house, and this is where you'll stay! If there's any confusion, please call :)
**There may or may not be other people renting out the tiny houses 100 feet North and 150 feet South of the house. Though the north house is closed from Nov.-March.
I look forward to hosting you!
Winter ONLY:
During the winter months in order to avoid freezing water lines, there is a chance the tiny house may use its off-grid water system, which includes a water container inside the couch and a small water pump to get the water to all the house water pipes. The pump is not excessively noisy, but does make some noise, and it comes on whenever you turn on a faucet; so just be aware of that before you book. It wasn't used or needed these last few years, but just know that there's a chance it could be needed.