Life Off the Grid and Being a Hermit
84Life and Vegitation Thrive In Harsh Enviroments
Self Sustaining Life Style
A decade ago, I sold out of my California holdings and returned to my home land of Arizona. After a search I located a plot of desert land and purchased it. I then constructed a subterranean home. Even in the hot summers and relatively cool winters it remains tolerable with no heating or cooling required. I am still evolving the design here and there to improve my ability to remain off the grid, being reliant on power companies to live. Why?
I believe that we are at the crux of all things as we know them are about to fly apart.
Fools for leaders lade us. These fools have many followers that will be the ultimate demise of our very foundation. The foundation is now rotten, it has been chiseled piece at a time right from beneath us. For the most part, no one the wiser, most blindly stagger on day to day mindless of the precarious position that the very things they hold dear are on the verge of destruction. These very people consider me an extremist, or possibly a crazy old fool. Time will tell who is right.
My cure for this ominous destruction was to come out of the world. You cannot quit, unless you hold suicide as an option. I do not. There are other routes, but you must be willing to give up many things to arrive at that destination, as well as putting your faith in whom it belongs.
Examples are, no power lines, no postal service, Internet ordering is also a no go unless one maintains some type of address in the urban areas where they could receive mail and packages. I use a mailbox company in a near by town. At this time I still must manage finances some what by this method, but one can pretty well cover banking and some other needs by Internet access. My trips into town will now be quarterly for these purposes.
I have been blessed in my ability to do so. I must confess I have not come out entirely. Had I done so, you would not be reading this. A side note, if I were to loose this satellite link this hour, my life would continue.
I do not require the luxury of being laden with the bad news of what goes on in this sad country or it’s politics.
I feel quite certain if the unthinkable comes upon this country, they will not waste their efforts trying to destroy an area that remains largely unpopulated.
I have met the final goal, water. The well has ended 12 years of hauling it out in a truck that required fuel expenditures and having to go to town to get it. If I loose solar power and run out of ways to procure diesel fuel for the back up generator, I am quite capable of manually pumping water and making fire. I posses the knowledge of making tallow for candle lighting, along with many old school methods of living, taking from nature things that will further my existence. Amazing, as it may seem, evolution did not “evolve” these things by mere happenstance, they were created by wisdom so great that none of us can understand it, but in success, we must be willing to trust that wisdom.
It may seem to some a very limited existence, I assure you when you learn to sit in an old rocker in the shade of a Mesquite tree and watch and listen, the great provider has created much to admire. Through reflection and solitude, I find, for me this was and is the perfect solution to many things that I was displeased with. Those things and the newer things that have risen up, for the most part, just no longer matter.
Perhaps at a later date I will expound upon my daily life activities and the things I so enjoy about my current station in life, and what really exists in the deserts for one to experience.
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Comments
Thanks for stopping by. I am no writer by any means, perhaps with some practice I can relay the beauty of life here and entice you and others further.
Thanks for the kind comments.
Noah made an Ark, You built a cave. I guess he built his boat through divine guidance, and you, you may have formed your 200 acre enclosure for pretty much the same reasons, although life's experiences did the "Divine guidances" bit.
- 'Nam, a crap marriage, disillusionment with usury, just a need for space to breathe, a desire to show that if the worst happens we can survive, whatever. You've done it, and shown that reclusiveness is not necessary synonymous with isolationism. (Well, you're socialising easily here aren't you?)
I envy your life style, and admire your drive to actually getting it, as most of us only dream of doing, and make poor excuses to each other for not trying to.
Well done on you're first Hub, it's obvious you only say something when you think it worth saying. please write more.
Cheers mate,
TOF.
I realized there was a time and a way, I just went for it, so far absolutely no regrets.
Thanks for stopping by and your encouraging remarks.
Fair winds and following seas, Sir!
Thanks for the comments on my baccy' hub 50 Caliber, you should try growing the stuff, it's hardy as... and can't be mistaken for anything more sinister. - It looks like dock on steroids.
Cheers.
Good luck with the baccy. I look forward to hearing how you go. It won't take many plants to give you a supplementary supply.
Cheers.
I am very interested in this idea of "living off the grid." Are you alone out there? Thank you for this illuminating Hub. I enjoyed reading your story and must admit it sounds attractive.
James my friend,
I reckon it depends on ones definition of alone. I have 3 Rottweilers and a couple wild burros that stop by for some sweet feed now and again. I've had a Ham radio set up since the 2nd year and now the satellite.
Couple tunes to listen to are Rocky Mountain High and It's a Great Day to be Alive by John Denver and Travis Tritt, respectively and though I wasn't born until my 42nd year I intend on being found dead out here.
It is possible to be right wear you belong. I asked God and he delivered me.
Thanks for stopping in and your kind comments.
That is an impressive beard you've grown there.
Never be identified off the postal wall with it :-).
50 Caliber, you have it right.
I salute you brother.
When they come for you (eventually) all they will find are your clothes in a random pile and your bible on the table next to your rocker!
Stay Blessed.
Take a look at this guys hub, he's identified the problem, but has no idea of the answer!
http://hubpages.com/hub/SERVANTS-OF-DEATH#comment-
Stay Blessed
Going off grid strongly appeals, but I'd find the solitude hard to bear. Good luck to you though. It's an appealing and intriguing tale you've posted here.
aguasilver, You may very well be right, as I sit in my Dad's old rocker a good part of the day, with 4 translations of the Bible at my side.
As for the link you sent, I found it quite sad that one could find no relief from their condition in life when it is there but for the asking. Narrow is the gate....
Have a Blessed day.
YOU ARE BLESSED!!!!!! GREAT HUB!
Amanda Severn,
I find solitude often under rated. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
drpastorcarlotta,
Thank you for the kind comment, I look forward to reading your work. Thanks for stopping by.
It is sad, but I sent him a link to your hub also, you know sometimes the Lord works in mysterious ways!
Often in mysterious ways. Many are either impatient for answers or just not listening. There are somethings a man can do for himself, with the Lords blessing but somehow many have come to expect him to slide a pizza under their door every day for sustainment.
Sadly, many only want the pizza in the first place!
I would enjoy living this way, I really would, but I would miss my kids ..
50 Caliber, whether you realize it or not, you could share pieces of your life through hub articles here and each one of them be a valuable history lesson to all of us. The only difference between your articles and the history books would be that you write them from first hand experience and you have a way of writing that reflects it. For a moment there, I found myself sitting on your front steps watching the burros and hoping the rotties didn't eat me up! :)
Please keep writing.
The Rott's are all female and gentle as lambs. They do bark loud and deep, they have a bad rap, it's all in their raising.
The burros are skittish and I have to move slow, dump some feed and sit down. then they come in and eat and drink. They bray on arrival, they want that feed. It's a trip to the candy store for them.
Thanks for stopping by and the kind comments. Maybe more in the future, I have one in the wings but am not happy with it yet.
I assume your underground home is built into the side of a hill.I can't imagine it is just dug into a flat area ,but I suppose it's possible if the entry is small enough and rainwater is not a problem.
someonewhoknows,
that would be yes and no. The concrete work was done by a bridge crew that specialized in the concrete box
bridges you see under highways. It's a concrete box with an igloo type entrance sticking from the side of a hill. it's 10 ft long and has doors at both ends and is covered in soil also.
As for rain water it has been built with drainage media around it and is not a problem even in the heavy rain seasons.
There is great power in stillness, looking and listening to the world about you. I look forward to seeing what you see from that rocker in the desert. Here in the north, it's turning cold, turning wet and daily I stil find something that amazes or intrigues me ... when I slow down to look and listen.
Dear Yard of nature,
I don't believe these old bones could take the wet,cold. You, Sir are a wise man, to slow down and listen is a great action that many never master.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Now this is the way to live, I just don't think I could do it by myself. My family and some real close friends have discussed this so many times and we get all enthused about it, but then our reality sets in. We are though in the process of looking for at least 50 acres to buy that will serve our needs. Hopefully, we can do this before we get to old. I admire you sir and hope that you enjoy it. Your blood pressure must be like a baby's. Look forward to reading some tidbits here and there to keep me motivated.. :0)
ehern33
I'm sorry this is 3 days old, I didn't get a note you were here or I just didn't see it.
I hope that you and your family and close friends take the step if you really want to. You get but 1 chance. If you choose the location that is right, I doubt you'd ever regret it. I remember days in the beginning as things went wrong and had to be redone or altered I would have to sleep on the discouragement and the next day I'd be back at it.
In the start it was a little too quiet sometimes, but I learned to listen and there is much to be heard and appreciated, God is the best craftsman that ever was.
It's only been around a year and a half that I got this computer and it's like having people setting around the kitchen table talking.
Thanks for stopping by.
Great way to live, independent and telling the gov to go Jump.
We sort of lived a bit like that years ago which you have just given me an idea for another hub. thanks for sharing that.
I'll look for your hub.
Thanks for visiting and letting me know you were here.
50 Caliber, Wow! It takes so much courage to do what you're doing. Thank you for sharing your way of living and your ideas with us. It's so cool that you can still use the Internet. Keep writing!
Thank you for the kind vote of support, and letting me know you were here.
I plan on living a lifestyle like this, I am not religious and am quite young but I already see that society is not the place I want to live. I see people everyday who think that hurting others is fun. I see people who expect everything from their friends and family. I see people who have never even seen a forest, or the sun rising over an open field. And even those who have generally don't appreciate it for the great "gift" that it is.
I want to prepare for a lifestyle like yours, however, I live in Australia where it gets very hot (40 degrees celcius and it's spring). I am not sure how easy it would be to do this.
I may move to New Zealand in order to do this, I think New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places on this earth and would love to live there.
The main question I have is how do you do this, setting up food supplies, water supplies, shelter etc. And the most difficult question. How do you get your family to accept this choice?
I would like to know the answers if you have the time to answer, which if quite likely, living as you do.
You, sir, have great sense. I have been studying up on getting off the grid and learning skills to be able to do what you are doing. Lest others think they need scads of money and 200 acres, and will be lonely, you don't have to have much land or money to get off the grid and learn to live a self-sustaining life. Our ancestors did it. And we need to learn how to do it, too. If we don't, we will not survive what is surely coming soon.
The trouble is our way of thinking. We don't NEED American Idol and McDonalds, credit cards and SUV's. We need to get back to the land and learn some good survival and pioneering skills. Stop relying on the government and utility companies. If they fail, you are done. Better have a way to survive on your own.
We need to get to work, because it's coming. Need cheap land? We have plenty of it down South here. Look at Kentucky land here: http://landandfarm.com (Western Ky is cheapest...) We have land here as cheap as $800-1200 an acre. Learn to drive a well, learn about wind turbines, decide which kind of energy-efficient home you would like, and learn how to grow & preserve your own food. You don't need 200 acres, you can do in with ONE acre, if you are really serious about getting out of the system.
Dear MagicStarER,
you are correct on many levels. One doesn't need an extravagant amount of land to pull this off. I didn't purchase this for this purpose, I purchased it for monetary gain during a growth spurt in this area at a time it was rated one of the highest of the nation. I was content living in Southern California, making good money and was sole owner of 2 businesses and co-owner of one. I also had multiple properties such as town homes and duplexes. I had gone overboard on toys like boats and motor homes,Harley's and the list goes on. I just had too much witch translated in a very stressful and expensive life style. I was suffering from an ulcerated stomach and taking medicines to control those problems as well as high blood pressure. The heart attack and a final near brush with death, made me stop, take pause and realize that the man with the most toys still dies.
Much thought and soul searching combined with prayer and the book of Ecclesiastes brought to my attention that major percentage of the things we do in life is well described as, "grasping at the wind" and in the end, you will not take material belongings with you. I realize that this land and all I have in my inventory is as I am, temporary. It is a gift from God.
Another good point you made was learning how to create things with your hands, a survivalist type of existence.
I have found great reward in these things, as well as enjoyment.
I have considered selling portions to other individuals that would enjoy this life style, and creating a "Village" of like minded individuals who could live in harmony and trade skills and goods for a living. By doing this I would have to sacrifice my solitude, by how much I'm not sure what the outcome would be. As I roam the acreage I really enjoy the solitude. This would be my soul reason on why not to do it.
In as far as your statement of 1 acre being plenty I agree, but part of my reason for more is the solitude that it provides. I'm sure many would rather have the close vicinity of neighbors, to enjoy the company of others as well as being able to assist each other in work to be done.
It would be great, like a Mennonite self sufficient community. I get mail in regard to this.
I spend some of my time reading and learning the historically plentiful arts of survival from making fire to catching and preparing wild game for consumption as well as learning medical skills for accidents that would require immediate attention.
For the basic getting started, you are correct, the mind set is what one needs over cubic dollars. As for location it really depends on the individuals making the move to self sufficiency. My choice was Arizona, I was raised there and after an adventuresome child hood of learning the land and what it offers in the way of sustenance, water and firewood and the likes.
Thanks for your insightful comment and stopping in. It has given to me thought for another hub that would encompass the reality that this is a move that is involved on many levels and is not always simple, and sometimes very hard in the beginning.
Avarise,
thanks for stopping in and letting me know you were here. Give me time to think over your question as it probably will make a hub to answer, and due to the amount of private questions this has generated it has been on my mind to do.
It will not be all glamor and family gets upset and thinks you've gone off your rocker. It can be delt with. Listening to God will carry you through hard times. Religion is a man based thing in my opinion, but following Jesus Christ through the Biblical teachings for me was essential.
Thanks for answering my comment, 50 C. Yes, I agree that deciding to live a simpler life comes from spiritual conviction, and comes from Jesus. Society nowadays, with all its problems, is evil and makes people sick to be around it.
Instead of having a trade, or a talent or craft that we can be proud of, corporations have turned us all into robot/slaves who punch time clocks and have no other life except for to work, sleep, and consume. We have been robbed of our dignity and our pride. I reject it. Who TOLD them they could do this? And who assumed we have to accept it as our due?
We must learn to trust our own inner voice (which is nothing more than God speaking!) and find the strength to trust and live our convictions. Who says we must be like everyone else? We don't NEED all the trappings and toys that this greed-oriented society has brainwashed us into thinking we need. Our ancestors lived very simply, off the land. They made or grew what they needed, and bartered for what they needed extra. Their food was clean and organic, they drank clean water, their crops were uncontaminated with pesticides and GMO's, they took pride in their work, and taught their children the value of hard work. They enjoyed the product of the work of their own hands. What greater satisfaction can there be? What satisfaction can there be in punching a time clock, and receiving a pittance that is not even sufficient to pay your bills, and ruining your health into the bargain?
Yes, it can be done. It surely can. Get you a little bit of land out in the boonies somewhere, drive you a well, build you an energy-efficient dwelling, and learn to use solar/wind energy. Learn the skills you need if you don't know them. It is not as hard as people want you to think it is.
When I was a kid, we had relatives who did not have indoor toilets or running water. They did not have all the fancy things people have nowadays. But they were healthy and happy. My great grandparents plowed their fields with mules, built their own barn and house, dug their own well. They did not have electricity. Everything they owned, they made it or grew it themselves.
People are scared to do it, because they simply don't know how! Yeah, it's hard work, all right, but the benefits are well worth it.
I'm getting ready to put up my "Getting off the Grid" articles soon. You'll see it's not as impossible as people think it is - just a question of making up your mind...
I'm proud to know you, 50 Caliber - you are a man after my own heart. I would be leery of allowing other humans into my peaceful territory, too - humans tend to cause chaos wherever they go. It would be nice if you could get people to work together and co-exist peacefully, but there would always be somebody that would start some ruckus or other.
My sister has been talking about letting the government use some of her land for a wind farm, I guess they put wind turbines on your land and pay you for it. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not, but maybe it is... Could use the proceeds to develop the land for agriculture and an area set apart where like-minded people could work growing food or something? They say the economy will get much worse and there will be food shortages soon. Something to think about, maybe you can help feed some hungry people. Who knows? I'm just happy you are doing what you are doing.
And I'm right behind you. This is my goal, too. I want about 5-10 acres out in the boonies here in Ky somewhere - there's plenty of that type of land here. Wouldn't take too awful much to get going. I would have my own well, (you can get water at about 55 ft here), solar and wind power backed up with a generator, and maybe a dome home or even a cheap mobile home. Then get to work on the food growing. I wouldn't be completely isolated from society, but off the grid - and have the peace and quiet to live the way I want to live. I have to keep it sort of simple so I can be able to manage it myself, my health is not too good.
You are right, solitude is under-rated. I LIKE being by myself! I like my own company, and I can think of PLENTY of interesting things to do to keep myself busy! :)
Blessings and love to you! Maybe one day I betcha you'll get those donkeys to let you pet on 'em a little bit! :) I think animals are better company than people, anyway, don't you?
(My family thinks I'm crazy, too, but I couldn't care less...)
Dear MagicStarER ,
making the decision then praying about it is the first steps to find that it is the right thing to do.
You will know as you progress, things will just fall into your possession as you need them. People will tell you they love you like a brother, and you will never hear from them again. Many things will change.
Yes, that is so right. If something is meant to be, things will all just seem to work together and it will just happen. But first, like you say, you must have the ability to slow down & listen and observe. It's all in the mind-set. If you gradually adopt behaviors & practice the needed skills, it will be even easier. And of course, lots of prayer and contemplation!
Personally, I have been hoping to find an old hand pump...
Blessings to you, hope you have a very beautiful day today!
Thank you for the kindness. Look at Noah! Imagine the jokes and nay sayers that must have harassed him while he built the Ark. Sadly most of who will do the same to one coming out of the world will be family. I do believe that my late father would have fully supported it. No matter what your animals will love you and if there is need of conversation, one can talk to God. Being able to have this computer, and a ham radio will fill needs of conversation. I'm still debating this computer, it's a time thief!
I will look for your hubs.
Stay Blessed
magicStarER---Have you heard that there was a bill in congress that would give the unitedstates government total control over all water sources.This is legislaton former President Clinton tried to pass.It takes control away from the states over their own water supplies.I haven't heard anything recently concerning the bill,but,then those pushing the bill claim the only reason they want this bill passed is to cleanup our waterways.The problem is this bill could be misused or abused to take over control of the countries water.
50caliber---It,seems time is atill something you try to keep track of out there.
I am unaware of such a bill. What congress? The 111th? I would be interested in seeing the bill and how it might effect me.
Thanks for bringing it up.
Alexander Mark says:
5 weeks ago
You're my hero. I feel that I have other things to do so I will remain near civilization, but I think you're dead on about not being in the cross hairs of an attack from within or without. Self sufficiency like yours makes you pretty free, and you have obviously taken hold of the good things that such a natural life holds. I envy you. I am glad you wrote this hub, allows the rest of us to see what your kind of living is all about, it will help those of us who want to edge away from the masses.