Off grid living may sound like a far fetched dream to some, but to us it is how we all should be living.There is nothing natural about living in a cement block stacked on top of other cement blocks, surrounded by more cement blocks. Our longing to be in nature regularly, lead us to living as one with nature, daily. Once we found the space we would now call home, our hearts were torn. My incredible parents helped us seal the deal. They blessed us with the missing funds to purchase the land then opened their home to us so we could save some money. We would visit our homestead on weekends. We quickly grew tired of traveling back and forth but stuck it out for two years.
We saved, then made moves. This has been our pattern for 9 years now and our patience has paid off. It was not always understood why we were making these changes. We were considered extreme, paranoid, hippy-like and even pioneers. It didn’t matter. Our sights were set on larger concerns. We bought an RV and drove it home. Had a small driveway put in and parked our mini home on wheels. This RV housed us every time we would visit, kept us warm and protected from the wilderness. We observed the land and the flow of the water, the direction of the wind, where and when the sun would rise and set. We are tucked in a valley and on a slope. Any work we would do on the land would be quickly washed away by our next visit. A clear sign that we needed to be there in order to really make things happen.
First, the land was surveyed, then grading was done. Our hillside needed a road, a pad and an extra pad where the well would be put in. This was the hardest for me, personally. This was the moment when I realized that we could have gone where others had already been, improving and updating, rather than breaking new ground and moving in on nature. The overwhelming feeling that we were called here to this land, with purpose, kept me grounded. I often joke that I have bleeding heart syndrome, but our connection with the elements is undeniable. We prayed to the land, the deities, entities and to the Beings we would soon share space with. We clearly stated our intentions and asked for guidance with our design plans, warned of the coming physical changes and let it be known that we only wish to bring love to this valley. When the bulldozer began, I let go of fear and began to trust in our collaboration with this space.
Our well water is replenished with annual snowfall. This is important. Water catchment helps with the garden, but for live drinking water there is nothing better than fresh glacier water filtered by Mother Earth. We add prill beads to our water tank for extra purification. For more information on prill beads, visit: http://www.lifebeginsraw.com/prill_beads.html
We had planned on using compost toilets, but the state codes require septic tanks and leech lines. We had planned on building a super-adobe structure from the ground up, again, codes tripped us up. Beginning in 2011, all new structures built from the ground up are required to have fire sprinklers. We wanted to build an Eco-dome, designed by Nader Kahlili of Cal-Earth. These homes are naturally fire resistant, as well as earthquake, flood and wind resistant. Designed to blend with the land and allow the elements to work in more harmony. For more information on these beautiful structures, visit: https://www.calearth.org/
Well, needless to say, we did not feel installing fire sprinklers was necessary nor feasible. Being off grid, the generator needed to power the water pressure and sensors would cost three times more than the home we wanted to build. At a cross roads we sold our RV and purchased a fifth wheeler, placed it on our pad and moved in. I got a job at a local salon and even made some local friends. We lived in that tin box for three years. Like gypsies we were always on the road, traveling, performing, working, playing, saving money. Winters were rough. I almost moved back to my mom's a couple winter nights when it hit 14 degrees. But we toughed it out. When things got too rough we were lucky enough to have friends to take us in. We were one maybe two steps below glamping: compost outhouse, outdoor kitchen, single solar panel for power. The trailer had the plumbing gutted out so we had to heat our water for showers on our propane cooker, then use a cup to pour the water over us. We definitely felt like pioneers.
We are so very thankful for our parents and hope to create something they are proud of. For without them, none of this would be possible. With their love and support, we have been able to begin this endeavor that will create what we leave behind for our children, and their children for years to come. At this point of the endeavor, though, we needed to start saving again before we could attempt to build. While we roughed it, the Universe conspired to bring us a home, but that's for next time.