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Log Cabin built in Southern Wyoming CABIN COMFORTS
Story by Teresa Wolff
Photography by Roger Wade

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When we first visited Fish On Ranch in the May issue of Log Home Designs Ideas, we saw the home Jerry and Jorja Allen built to entertain family and friends. Now, we return to Wyoming to tour the cabin they built so guests could enjoy their stay in comfort.

For many a fishing vacation in the pristine Snowy Range Mountains of southern Wyoming would be the ideal way to shed the hectic pace of everyday life. Those fortunate enough to be Jerry and Jorja Allen's guests at Fish On Ranch enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the 550-acre ranch and more. Guests are entertained in style, then enjoy lodging in the perfect log cabin.

Though the Allens considered making the main house larger, they opted to build a separate dwelling for maximum privacy. They situated the three-bedroom, 2,800 square foot cabin as close as feasible to a nine-acre man-made lake, yet a considerable distance from the main house.

When considering the design of the guest house, the Allens' overriding concern was comfort. "We wanted a place where our guests could enjoy all the amenities of the great outdoors without feeling they might be intruding or ruining valuable carpeting or antiques," Jerry says.

The Allens purchased this particular parcel of land because it was large enough to accommodate their plans for expansion but too small to be a working ranch. Since the purchase, they have built a barn and roping arena in addition to the main house and guest cabin. As with the main house, the Allens selected Log Knowledge of LaPorte, Colorado, for the cabin project. The company handled all of the construction details from start to finish, including the design work, handcrafting of the log shell and completion of the framing and finish work. This was critical for the Allens, who have a permanent residence in Ohio and were unable to be present during construction.

Though the main house and guest cabin are similar in construction, each has its own unique design elements. The Allens carefully considered the use of each structure, then designed the houses and chose their contents accordingly. Both houses are custom Log Knowledge designs built of 12-inch lodgepole pine, and Engelmann spruce logs. The main house features the great room concept with high open ceilings while the family room in the guest cabin sports lower nine-foot ceilings. "From the moment our guests open the door, we want them to feel at home," Jerry explains. "The lower ceilings just make it feel cozy.'' An open floor plan on the guest cabin main floor includes the kitchen dining area and family room. Because the evening meal is generally served in the main house, the kitchen area has just enough space for breakfast, lunch and snack preparation.