Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
24 Apr 2024
Reply rate
88.6 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
21
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Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
Right now: building a superadobe dome and I need another helper to help my Cal Earth apprentice graduate, Ariel finish this dome. If you want to join asap message me.
I've been happily hosting on Workaway for over 2 years as I work to develop a mountain town lot I bought in 2017 where I built an earthship inspired house. I also work full time remotely as a technical director for Laika Animation, the makers of Coraline. I like trails and skiing and am excited both to travel some but also continue to work on projects here at my hosting location. I studied at Earthship Biotecture and Cal Earth, and built this house based largely on those styles, which is where I have been hosting here in the mountains of southern California. Cal Earth is nearby and they do an open house the first Saturday of every month if you want to visit there.
I was born in California, went to school at UCSB, and worked in animation for almost 15 years. I enjoy meeting guests from around the world and enjoying healthy food, light house work, and enjoying the outdoors, especially in the mountains, forests, and hot springs. I am really into trail running and triathlon and have done many ultra marathons in a few different countries. Also I'm into Self discovery so if you have a calling to know your true impersonal Self we'll get along well.
I joined workaway for help and to meet people. I really appreciate help here because it's a lot to take care of the house, do projects and finish my work on any given day. I need help with common house work, walking my husky - Kobe, and occasionally with art and build tasks. I am using a CNC machine to do one really big sculptural wall mural which is taking many months, and I have begun building a 8 ft diameter superadobe dome in my yard. I'm also in process of buying more land to build a second earthship - this time fully. I also just put in a pizza oven (outdoor).
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I believe the most powerful draw of this place is the mountain atmosphere, the forest, clean air, quiet retreat from the bustle of a city, and beautiful vistas. This area was a retreat for Hollywood stars a century ago.
Beyond that this is an opportunity to become familiar with the earthship concept as realized in a California mountain town, this includes: rainwater capture, greywater system, thermal mass as related to passive heating and cooling, gardening including the production and use of biochar, carpentry, stone masonry, lime and clay plaster, cob and adobe.
Help
I've been building an earthship inspired home in the mountains near the closest ski resort to Los Angeles for the last 5 years. It's nearly done but I could use help finishing a few things and building an ancillary superadobe dome structure ala Cal Earth (which happens to be nearby) which I want to build as an extra bedroom in lieu of the house being built in that fashion due to the county not forthcoming in permitting that technique for the primary structure.
Expect to help however suits you best. Usually I appreciate help preparing meals and washing dishes, and maybe also washing windows, and I still have a lot of clay, lime and latex paint wall finishing to accomplish. The work is almost always lightweight and I'm happy to find the most appropriate jobs based on how the weather is outside.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
I have about 4 years of study in Spanish and some exposure to French.
Accommodation
I have a 2 bed, 2 bath house with the guest bed and bath available for use by a workawayer, with attached bath. The kitchen and common room are shared. I have a laundry room, outdoor cedar hot tub, and I usually buy most of the food for your stay.
What else ...
There isn't much local transport so one would want to have a car. There is space for parking. Otherwise I have had one workawayer arrive in town by bus, or I can pick people up at the station in San Bernardino. The town is about 6,000 people at 6,000 ft elevation in the mountains. There are many trails including the PCT nearby, and others popular for hiking and mountain biking. The Mountain High ski resort is about 5 miles away so it does snow here in the winters though usually very mild with sunny warm days but cold nights. There is a very nice farmer's market in town on Friday afternoons.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I have wifi throughout the house and outside. The connection is 200Mb/sec.
Can possibly accept pets
I have a husky. He is great with other dogs. Not compatible with cats.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
2 hours/day, 5 days/week
Feedback (9)
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
He was very considerate when I arrived with a bad jetlag.
His house in the mountains is like a paradise: with the largest greenhouse I ever saw, high rooms, nature… read more
Zack is very kind, attentive, and always fun to be with.
I loved all the different jobs I did, outside when the weather was good, and inside if it was too cold or raining.
I will have really good memories of Zack, his house and the beautiful town of Wrightwood.
