Driving between North Carolina and Virginia over the past month I have had the opportunity to drive through Floyd on numerous trips. Off of VA Highway 8, there is a place called Blue Ridge Yurts. The question that I have had in mind over and over again is "What is a Yurt?" Floyd has been an epicenter for the counterculture movement since the 1960s, so I was not to sure if I wanted to find out what yurts happened to be, but my curiosity has finally gotten the best of me.
According to the proprietors of Blue Ridge Yurts, the yurt is a portable, circular structure that was originally used by nomads in Central Asia since the 12th Century. The yurt had low walls and could be moved easily by placing the yurt on a cart pulled by oxen. Apparently, the yurt is still used as primary housing by some people in Mongolia today.
Yurts are built to withstand high winds, heavy snow loads and apparently make excellent temporary housing. It is even possible to add rooms, plumbing, lofts and electricity to the yurt, although all of these options can raise the price. Yurts average anywhere between $6,000 - $30,000 and can be used for permanent housing.
Yurts are a viable option to temporary or permanent housing. It is amazing how that the simple but efficient construction techniques of nomads have influenced a thriving business here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lesson learned, when you have a question about something, just look it up!
Source
http://www.blueridgeyurts.com/
