TETON CRIBS: Inside the Eco Home of Capt. Bob

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

By Robyn Vincent

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-Everyone has something to say about Capt. Bob Morris. Captain-chatter includes, but is not limited to, his crusade for $2 bills, his tenure with the CIA, his sativa plant endorsements, and his purported affiliation to a certain tobacco company sharing the same last name. The latter, by the way, is false and unnerving, Morris said, considering both of his grandfathers died from tobacco-related illness.

But alas, the 76-year-old ex-Marine, Yale alumnus, who has run for both Congress and County Commissioner, must thrive on a little prattle – some which also supposes about his mysterious three-level Teton Village home.

I’ve heard about the cement floors (many rumors exist as to why), and the allegedly transparent plumbing in the basement (most have not attempted an explanation). After my tour, I can report that the cement flooring does in fact exist, but it serves a noble purpose.

The cool, smooth concrete panels, reinforced by steel, are part of the impressive solar energy system in the Captain’s digs. Oh, and the pipes in the bottom level, though at one time transparent, have been painted blue to conceal their dirty work.

Morris refers to his minimalist digs, complete with a conversation pit and suspended kitchen table, as “the cement bunker,” which he shares with four housemates. Besides the solar heating and cooling, reliant on brisk mountain air that spills into the house each night, Morris’ environmental fervor – you will not catch the Captain driving anything but a bike – is also evident in the Scandinavian home system, the Clivus Multrum.

After a thorough explanation from Morris, I’m puzzled as to why this all natural plumbing-ventilation-garbage disposal-organic composter system hasn’t caught on in the States.

“A self-contained, waterless, odorless treatment system for all organic wastes,” reads the 1980 catalogue Morris lent to me for homework.

The Clivus, as it was referred to by both Morris and his housemate Chris, involves composting toilets that, because of a special ventilation system, omit little to no odors. Eventually, all of the organic waste materials are transformed into potent compost inside the Clivus’ headquarters – a small room in a fourth level of the home where a white rectangular appliance sits.

As Morris showed me around more of his “earthquake safe” crib – a slang word Morris was mystified by – he commented, a bit sadly, on his own gingerly pace. But Morris, beginning his fourth career as a schoolteacher for Journeys School at the age of 70, will doubtfully be slowing down anytime soon. JHW

Photo by RANDY SHACKET
Capt. Bob’s greenhouse.

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