One Year In

My, how time flies.  One year today,, Dubs and I embarked on our off grid adventure.  Little did we know the adventure we were getting ourselves into.

A year later, we have come quite a distance.  We started by purchasing a lovely plot of land in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.  After clearing a space for our 32' camper, we immediately set about getting situated in our new austere environment.

After the first couple of nights, we quickly realized what we were up against.  To start with, we had no power, save for the battery in my trusty Rav4.  The purchase of two 100 watt solar panels, a deep cycle battery, charge controller and a 3,000 watt inverter soon rectified the problem.

At the same time that we were grappling with power issues, we had the minor problem of hauling and storing enough water for 29 animals, as our land was not equipped with a well. Through the acquisition of two 300 gallon water tanks, and frequent visits to the local artesian well, we were able to ensure an adequate water supply

As the summer progressed, we continued to make strides toward self sufficiency.  We fenced in a nice pasture for the horses, erected a shed and a chicken coop, and slowly began to settle into the pioneer, off-grid lifestyle.

The inevitable onslaught of winter forced us to address our next major concern, that of staying warm.  Thanks to Dubs' ingenuity, we were able to equip our camper with a wood burning stove that Dubs meticulously crafted out of a used propane tank.   As the snow began to fly, we were very grateful for our cozy, warm abode.

As winter stretched interminably on, we were forced to rely more heavily on our generator, if for no reason other than to keep the horses' water liquid. Those stock tank de-icers use a lot more power than one realizes.

Now, with spring upon us, (yes, spring in the Rockies doesn't start til June), we have much to accomplish.  Our future projects include the erection of a larger outbuilding, the placement of a tiny house on the property, and the installation of a wind generator, to name a few.

In short, it's been a wild ride, full of bumps and turns.  Dubs warned me that it would be.  That's cool.  I'll just tighten my seatbelt and hang on, like I always do.

Blessings,
Cece