Accidentally Living Green by Dropping Out
82Sunset Years
So it Goes
Years back after being completely fed up with government intervention I studied and thought, searched and planned, finally deciding to drop out from society.
Living in Southern California at the time, the “straw that broke the camels back” was the Clinton administrations “assault weapons ban” of 1994. It led to California law requiring registration of said firearms. By not complying I was a turned to a felon with the stroke of a pen. My 2nd amendment rights basically were under attack. I could not wrap my mind around this concept after serving as a Marine for eight years, active duty, taking my discharge in the ‘70s. It was fine for me to hold such a weapon and kill with it at the request or requirement of the government, otherwise it was considered that I was not. Then by simply taking my collection across the state line back into Arizona where I was born and raised I instantly became guilty of no crimes. Imagine that! From gun collector to felon to gun collector by driving across a line, this is how the accident began.
Fast forward, through selling out completely and collecting together all my assets, I put a tow bar on my Jeep and hooked it to my 1 ton flatbed truck that was loaded with all my belongings I had left, tools, guns, and clothes and drove to my destination in Arizona, land I bought for investment purposes. When I bought it the Apache Junction, Mesa and Phoenix were rated as one of the fastest growing areas in the US. It ended up being on the other side of the growth, the expansion of the then small town of Apache Junction grew away from me, while the state park “Tonto National Forest” was expanded and now borders me on 1 side completely and partially on another, but I digress as the increased value is of no consequence to me now.
I basically began by sourcing solar panels in the 3 times to much range, and back up power, followed by the best way to live underground requiring the least in heating and cooling, assessing those to be my greatest energy expenditures.
We are all familiar with the government’s ability to pay $700.00 for a claw hammer and require its replacement for safety reasons every year, then selling them as scrap for $.02.
It was no different with solar panels. In the solar projects they funded in the early ‘90s in California they could set an automatic tilt/rotate panel array in their test farm. If it failed to work, they didn’t fix it they removed it and installed a new one. Then through magic of cutting red tape I was able to purchase 3 of these huge panels for most likely pennies on the dollar. Original price? Who knows probably 100s of thousands, my guess? Minor repairs brought them all back on line. I paid a troubleshooter and enlisted his service to complete the repairs, now after much study I am able to do this myself. Rarely do I experience any problems. If I do and a part is a week or two out, my generator charges my battery bank while I sleep. I also did not get the controller system so rotation and tilt is performed manually via toggle switches that were wired to operate the electric motors.
Then a multi fuel military generator set, bought surplus for a great price as well, in new like condition. It was added to the pile for initial power and later back up power. It is big enough to supply power to a small hospital and produced 3-phase power to 440 volts. Over kill? Why yes it was, but it drinks gas, diesel, burnt motor oil and even old cooking oil. Fuels that businesses are more than happy to give me, I just supply the 55-gallon drums, it still requires me to buy kerosene or farm grade diesel to mix with heavier based fuels like used engine oil. It seldom sees any use these days unless I want to do a little welding or run my mini machine shop to fabricate some useful item.
Then came a 25ft. travel trailer, that would serve as my quarters through the construction phase of my sub-terrain dwelling, scheduled to be sold as soon as was feasible. I ended up trading it for a 1,000-gallon water truck that served me nicely until the well was finally drilled.
Looking back, at the time I was often overwhelmed with the task I had begun, yet now it seems as if it was probably no more of a challenge than staying in the work force and battling day to day life grinding out a living in hopes of a decent retirement.
Things have come a long way since the inception of this idea. I now enjoy Internet access, and phone service due to the new fangled satellite systems. Had it not been for my little brother wanting to be able to stay in touch so much that he bought me this laptop and is currently still paying for my satellite system for it and my little pocket phone I wouldn’t have spent this kind of money to be here posting anything on the Internet. He sent the whole rig via UPS to my mailbox company in Mesa. I got it set up with instructions he sent, It was just a matter of running wires and hooking up to the little dish and getting it aimed right. I used a lensatic compass to get it aimed right. He had all ready set it up and ran it at his home, so it was pretty simple for me. It is fun and entertainment for some of my idle hours and we can stay in touch. He sent a “Magic Jack” later to cut costs on our long talks and I am able to get Canada as well. The satellite phone was short lived as was the "magic-jack" so back to phone-less and could care less. I email those I need to catch up with.
Prior to that I communicated via Ham radio and still do, occasionally. With a television antenna on my radio mast I am able to get several stations so I don’t pay for television, and the government provided me with a certificate toward the purchase of a new box to get digital broadcasting after the change. I only watch enough television to remind me why I dropped out. I discover new stuff all the time, like sites that let me watch movies as well as cartoons, enough of that, I’m sure you all know about that and more. I’ve been playing on it for only about a year and a half and I was researching Bible study and hit a link by James Watkins, and that is how I got to be part of the Hub Pages.
I guess it takes a certain mind set to live like this, but I find it quite rewarding as well as knowing I’ll be able to view the mushroom cloud from a good distance.
More than 1 visitor has attempted to get me to let them buy a parcel and tap into my hard labor, I just smile politely and change the discussion.
My next investment will be a digital camera or video camera, I think making a few Youtube postings would be fun.
Now, just by co-incidence I’m a green environmentalist, by today’s measure, fact is I’m a successful “Drop Out”, as the only thing I set out to conserve was my sanity some say I failed at that! My little ‘Bro tries to get me to sell and move in with him and his wife on a regular basis. I always thank him for the offer and return it by offering to let them come and build a home here with me.
Life is funny how it twists and turns with each decision one makes. You can reach the place where you have enough and realize that it is enough. I’m quite happy, and I hope you all reach a moment in time that you can recognize that it is your season to take pause and relax, be thankful, and enjoy your season.
I came to read and now I’ve participated never thinking I would. This may well be it, and I’ll return to reading and commenting as I think it is prudent.
God Bless.
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50 cal- I join with BPOP in asking you to stay with us my brother-in-arms. You spin a good story and have much to say for the future generations that will find these words. You are a trusted and valued friend, which are still too hard to find. Stay with us lad and share the journey...
Well 50Cal, I've enjoyed you comments and your Hubs. Don't go 'way, Hubpages has a lot of very private people in its ranks, who can jaw without commitment. (It also has it's share of cranks and nutters, but far less than some other networks, and they help make US seem more sane don't they?)
Look around and you'll find a plenitude of members who have opted out one way or another, maybe not as visibly as you have, but nevertheless just as effectively.
Your comments, humour and advise can help us here as I hope we may be able to assist you occasionally.
I hope that you stick with us.
regards,
Peter.
It has been nice to find you here. You make me jeolous, I would like to drop off the end of the earth if I didn't have all of these expenses. I have thought of going back to Wyoming and building a solar house, and doing some of this stuff. I have a contact with a guy who's business is fixing ups and has capability of getting a lot of used batteries.
Then if one could grow a lot of his own food by garden and ranching, one could live quit cheap.
Take care,
Keep on Hubbing!
I surely hope you will still be around and provide us (me) with the inspiration that we (I) need. It is a sincere pleasure to read what you have done and through these writings it seems we have been given some insight into your own life. God Bless and hope to see you often.
Pop's, no worries! I'll be checking in for breakfast. Did you ever think that something has taken too much time away from others? I think I got too wrapped up here and this is the best time of year to be out and about.
Hmrjmr1,
thanks I not leaving just slowing down some. I'll be checking on you. I'll be in the mail, soon!
The Old Firm,
we'll meet here again soon, I have much enjoyed you as well.
eovery,
thanks for your kind words, I may have to check out those batteries.
ehern33,
thanks and feel free to contact me again with questions.
Great hub 50 C, don't you dare stop posting, I've only just found you!
aguasilver, my friend, no worries! I just need to break the hold this computer has on my time. I get so engrossed I look up and 3am has turned to 10am. The more I learn about it, the longer I hypnotically stare at it. I must learn moderation with it as I have with most things.
Thanks for stopping by.
After reading a few paragraphs, I found your story so gripping that I called my wife in so I could read it to her. Imagine our surprise when all of a sudden there was my name in your article. She said, "James, are you famous?" :D
Thank you for granting me this honor. We really enjoyed your story. How much to build the cave?
James,
I think you are famous, you have produced some excellent reads that have meant a lot to me.
The "cave" LOL The sign over the outer door reads "Narry A Man Has Entered This Cave Uninvited, That Walked Out Alive"
It is built like a cave and could be much nicer, I suppose but it suites me just fine. If you ever stubbed your toe in the dark in here, you'd know what dark is. I guess in the beginning by the time it was dug framed and poured it cost about 40k. It is all concrete and the work was done by a crew that makes those box bridges under the highways. concrete was 36 per yard back then now it's close to 95. All said and done it was around 100k + land + well. It all told probably cost the tax on the link I put in your fan mail of the home built in an actual cave of 2 million.
Thanks for your over kind words, and stopping in!
Thanks! I didn't mean to be nosy. But we are intrigued by the idea of getting away somewhere, off the grid, or in the mountains. I hadn't really considered earthworks before. You're welcome.
Not nosy it's been a question from many via e-mail and I could figure it closer but it's been almost 14 years I think since the concrete was first started.
It sounds probably more glamorous than it is, If I get a camera I will be able to show what it's really like. One could just burrow into a hill side and leave one side open so you could enjoy the view from a sun room or something instead of going bomb shelter style. I went that way so I could go north for a few weeks and hunt big game and not worry to much about being broken into while I'm gone. I still have solar panels that could be vandalized but so far I have had no trespassers and I have a 5 strand barbed fence all the way around with posted signs every 30 feet. Then there is the local legends of crazy old miners that kill trespassers on their claims, but I don't think any of those old coots still run the mountains, but the legend lives on and a few of us show up in Apache Junction in their Miners Day celebrations and dress the part and tote double barrels, tourists pay 20 bucks to get their picture taken with all the duds on and that tooth black to make it look like you don't have half of them. It's fun and I can generate 3 or 400 bucks in a couple days of fooling around. The rest of the year is peace and quite and that makes it all worth it, for me anyway.
50 caliber, you claim to not be a writer, and yet your hubs are absolutely captivating, even the comments keep a person's interest. When you write about something you care so much about, that passion flows into your words and is passed on to others. In a previous time I was a chef and the most important lesson I ever learned was to put LOVE into your food, and people will absolutely light up and glow from receiving that positive energy!
If you ever find the time...I would love to see a hub focusing on how you direct the generated energy to batteries and how you regulate that energy. Perhaps a breakdown of your wiring systems for the solar, wind, and gen set? Living off the grid has always been my dream as well, now that I have had glaucoma and cataract surgeries I am not so sure about achieving it, but the knowledge is still very important. I am functionally blind in my right eye now, and am right handed, so I have to learn how to shoot left handed now..can you tell I am lacking confidence in learning that?
Terrific hub, and oh, by the way, as lovely as communal living sounds, I think I would stick to the solitary lifestyle if I were in your position also. Peace
Thanks for stopping and glad you like what you read. I'm not a writer and came here to read. Once in a while I get this motivated feeling to put down what I know about and it just comes out. A technical hub I suppose would be a how to hub and I could probably hash that out less motivation. I have only played with wind generators on a very small scale. I have one but it is not in the system. It's a series of voltage inverters and a dual set of gang battery chargers. I run a lot of stuff off 12v, like lighting and low draw stuff, you'd be surprised what you can salvage out of wrecked ambulances, from lighting to inverters.
I have the beginning of glaucoma in both eyes and hope it doesn't advance to the stage you have. I need to see to shoot critters.
Communal living would be counter to my reasons for being here.
It seems as if you have the best of both worlds right now Dusty
Ms.Ethel thank you for stopping in. I do have a good go at it, I'm not sure how it all worked this way but I'm glad it did.
You are a wonderful and intelligent individual! I am so honored to be your FAN!!! My prayer for you is that God continues to watch over you, protecting you and guiding you into His Glory. I pray that your wisdom encourage those who are seeking guidance for peace. Your here for a reason, not by mistake but by God's appointed time. Your really a blessing to me 50 Caliber, I LOVE YOU!!
Dear drpastorcarlotta,
Thank you for your kind comment, I am not sure that I am deserving of. It is from a search engine that I am here on the Hub Pages and I stayed for now on over a year and in this time I have met You and other children of Jesus. With that I am Blessed. I sense that some picture my isolated home as a place that reaches what the minds eye see's. Like when you talk to people whom you've never met over the phone or via the key board with no picture provided. By the inflection of their talk or style of writing my mind often makes its own picture of what one looks like. I chased riches and lost it all, money, home, business etc. to the devil. It seems that I was allowed to rebuild and receive enough to live free of debt, free of so many things that control lives on this earth. My surroundings are meager and I would say the panels that gather the light and power from Gods sun are the most valuable things on the property. It is a goal for me to get a digital camera to post pictures. As I'm sure it would pop the imaginations bubble of my home. Nothing fancy and bare bones essentials but it is "enough" and then some, by my measure which I'm sure would disappoint some as to how they may have mentally pictured it. If one chips away at life only to find that they have a large home with much fancy and a exquisite auto etc. and then realize after a long day it's home and a quick shower and a bite to eat, then to the recliner to watch the sad things it delivers from the news to poor sit coms and it is off to bed and then arise and repeat often 6 days a week to pay for space and items never used, I found this to be true of my life and the scriptures say all is but grasping at the wind. I made a conscious effort to come out of the world and such slavery,(I feel the makings of a hub coming on)and with my efforts focused at being as free of that toil as I could get I am here living a life that requires me not to care what day it is or what time it is only to care for what I have received and keep it in working order. I wish all could stop long enough to realize that a 2 minute smile or a good hard belly laugh of joy is invaluable and there is no amount of money that can buy that, but if they seek the blessings of Jesus Christ and pray for the yoke he offers to them free of charge that is light and easy, then true happiness and life can begin.
I have read your hubs and you are gifted in presenting these truths, you have inspired me more than once and I truly love you as well, and pray that your returns are great.
Even though you found Hubpages through the search engines, I believe you were guided here through the Lord, and with that I am BLESSED! You are special in His eye's and mine as well. Blessings my friend and much love!
Thank you with much Love, I too believe nothing in our lives is by chance as long as we are walking with Christ.
This is such a beautiful testimony to content living. The whole world could learn a lot from you Dusty. I for one am grateful that your little brother got you online. I am thankful to have made your acquaintance and hope to have a long and enlightening friendship with you in the future. As always, Peace. Allen
Allen, I am happy to have made an acquaintance turn into a friendship. Do you think we were thinking, you at me a right wing nut job and me at you a left wing radical? I laugh at that thought. Never the less I hope we stay in contact for years to come trading ideas and me learning from you. Feel free to contact me and I'll add you to my e-mails list as it has a lot of room, I think there is 4 or 5 on it. LOL.Much love and Peace.
Gee- I thought I'd said something on every hub you had. Where have you been? I don't think I need a gun. I'd like a grenade launcher on the front of my bicycle though. An M-79 huh? I guess they've been replaced. Who's that fellow as your avatar here?
Mick, I thought the same thing when I saw your notification in the box. I guess you missed this one. That young buck at the right seat of a CH-46 I think, looking at the cabin, it's got an overhead window and it may well be a UH1-Slick or A model, it's amazing how much you forget but now I'm thinking it's a UH1, anywho? that's Peter Pilot couldn't even grow a mustache, it was funny, looked like Abe Lincoln, just sideburns and jaw line beard and then one day at 30+ it sprouted into a push broom and a good place for snot to hang around and freeze. Only place that would take a tall pilot was the Helo Silver Wing program senior enlisted, Gunny Sgt. and up, tried for a backseat in an A4 Sky Hawk trainer but the cockpits were small like the whole bird, but the helicopters were much more spacious. You would have been perfect for the A4 and it was replaced by the Harrier, how cool would that have been? If you got to go into the Harrier and do straight up take offs and stop in mid flight spin around, back up and do all the maneuvers of that plane and get paid for it?
Yeah a "Bloop Tube" loaded with flechettes on your bike would clear a path or block it with piled up cyclists or cars, for a federal fee of 200 bucks you can get a license to own one. Finding one for sale is the trick. Check out this site for 40mm and 37mm, if you get in, it takes a while as they check you out before letting you in to keep folks with a intention of terrorism out. http://www.freewebs.com/grog/
I thought you went on vacation Dude. Dusty I've gotten a bunch of tats. I have the Marine Corps ribbons from Nam on my left arm. I haven't meant to slight the real combat heroes. I put these on my arm to distinguish myself from being just another hippy freak in the eye of snooty people and bad cops and officials of other sorts. I've been screwed over by the cops and such. I put these gimmie medals on. I don't mean to make light of them either. We've been somewhere that most people haven't. I'm tired of snobs looking and acting like they've got more and they are more. So I put these ribbons on my arm. I put the map of Vietnam on my leg. I have wanted to put the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry on my arm because the name implies I've done something or I've been something. I am nothing. But yet they also gave us that one so I think I'll go ahead and tattoo that one on as well. I know you've got some great ribbons and they're more important. I just don't want to belittle anything. I just don't want to be screwed over anymore either. So maybe these tats might help keep me from getting framed again. I don't mind paying dues beyond my share. Jesus did. Maybe I just want the yahoos to know who they're screwing the next time they screw with me. Everybody deserves a fair playing field even someone not in the military. So anyway- if you see another tat on the tattoo hub that's what the next one is about. I'll have this one be a hanging medal because I think putting this one in the "rows" would be out of the correct order. I wish you could do the tat for me but I doubt if you're still doing that. You sold your shop and tools too probably. But you're too far anyway. Later Dusty Dude!
Oh- nice picture -you're cute as a button.
Mick Bro', I got tattooed up big time and it originally was to keep snooty folks away from me, the judgmental crowd that look down at all, they are better than trash like me. So I'm down with that fuque those people they don't know what we did for them.
I still have a full set of machines and inks but I can't see and hold my hand steady enough anymore. once in a while I tattoo myself recoloring my 40 year old arm tats. You need to get a Frankenstein scar tattoos around your legs right above the knees so you can tell folks that after getting blown up with a short guy by a bouncing betty they got the legs mixed up when they sewed them back on,'cuz you used to be six foot five. Don't forget to get a band-aide on your elbow. I need to figure out how to use my scanner and post a hub on my tattoos. I got a picture of me getting tattooed on both arms at the same time with an artist on each side. Business was slow and I wanted to get my work done in a hurry.
Man- you just answered a question or two from Hard and Beautiful Stories hub. I think I might like a tattoo done with a shaky hand. Maybe one anyway! You have to use the tat gun- no rusty nails. I know how you 0311s are. You think you're better than us 0351s!
Two tats at once. -Lot of pain. We're used to it though. Cycling involves a lot of pain. But-I've been married twice too though!
I like my tat guy. He's a Harley-Furguson rider. Do the hub Dood!
0311 is just my start, I'll stair step it for ya via email.
Oh! You should continue to put your experiences on hubs. They inspire so many. Also they are full of ideas on spiritualism as well as actual physical adventures.
I like your comments on other hubs too.
soumyasrajan, thanks for your interest,after the weather goes to high temperatures I may add some more hubs.
50cal, I am pretty new to hub pages. I saw a comment you made on another hub, that is what brought me here. I thought this person's comments are great. I have to read his hubs. This is the first one I read. I am glad it was. I agree with you. I love Az. and have told my husband I want to move there. Some where out in the middle of the desert. Live off the land. Off the grid. I envy you. You are doing it.Good luck and God bless. I am now a fan and looking forward to reading more.
Granny, greetings from under a rock. Living out is great, I like solitude and caving, sneaking around old mines from the 1800's and early 1900's. I keep 3 Rottweilers and just do for my self. Cook about 2 to 3 days a month and pack it in jars or freeze it depending on what it is. The rest of the time I play with projects and the dogs. Or just go jeeping.Hot weather is coming on so I'll be staying inside from about 10am to 6pm and then getting out. Thanks for Stopping.
50, I have some great recipes for canning and making jerky. Jerky will stay good a long time. In Alaska we used to dry the salmon we caught because it lasted longer and there was not anywhere to keep it frozen. We lived in a small vilage.There were no stores so we had to catch everything we ate. it was a great adventure.
Granny's House, I have experienced Alaska and the isolation of it. It was for 6 months out side of Fairbanks. I was young enough to enjoy it, now it is much to cold, shiver! I have a super dehydrator and a myriad of recipes for wild game from snakes to Wild Russian bore as well as the local Javalina hogs. I do not eat any meat that I haven't killed with the exception of occasional treats like Gator tail and ocean swimming critters. Thanks for reading, I will be catching up on some more of your hubs and will start commenting. Adventure on! God created this play ground for us to enjoy, I'm thinking of a hub now.....
hi 50 Caliber, been here for a few now reading and enjoying your life style. wishing getting a little green around the ears LOL, you got it so good, keep up the good works. i will make sure i always have my coffee in my hand cming here hehehe. love reading, don't stop. ~aloha~
Sa`ge, thank you for stopping in and glad you enjoyed your visit. Do come back.
Peace 50
50 Caliber, you have the pioneer spirit.
Awesome hub...very informative.
Just think how the world would change if everyone lived like you! It would be a better place.
magnoliazz, to tell the truth I am glad folks choose the way of the city! If they didn't I would have neighbors encroaching upon me, and I am fond of my isolation. My northern and half of my western property line are against the Tonto National Forest. When I signed the note on this land I was watching this area, from California, as it was rated #1 in growth. So it was part of my get rich scheme. I was able to pay for it in a 10 year or so span. The growth went south west and my investment was not what I had planned it to be, sectioned off and built on for an additional area for more homes. I thank God for what I have, being able to fire a rifle in any direction and not worry about it's landing. I have no address and no 911 listing, just a mailbox in Mesa with a physical address from a company called "Mailboxes Etc." I couldn't ask for more, an investment gone bad and turned to an amazing gift. So I once was told "If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans". I so wanted to be rich, and I now consider my self "rich beyond my wildest dreams". My clothes are "wholly" and I am fulfilled just waiting on my Father to send his Son my King and Savior to take me to a better place. That is hard for me to imagine. May Love and Peace befall you, 50
Dusty just popping in to say hey there. I always enjoy reading your 'ripping yarns' great stuff. You add much to my hubs each day with your knowledge and experience and great wit. You bring a smile with you and that is what we sadly lack into today's mixed up greed infested world of this false sense of entitlement that permeates the membrane of too much of our society.
Billy, aye the world looks sad when you eye it close, but it looked sad 5 decades back as well, just for different reasons. It takes greed to know greed and I was familiar with it well. Truth is greed bought what I own, but it was different the second time, it was focused greed that led to no greed. Now it's just a waiting game for what comes next, but once you figure it out, watching folks is pretty amusing. Thanks for stopping in, 50
I just want to say, I have thuroughly enjoyed reading your hubs and comments. And I agree, I think James is a celebrity lol! He's part of the reason I joined the HubPages community! Was the first writer I read, as well.
Keep hubbin' because I can't wait to read more about your fantastic lifestyle!!! Pardon me if I live vicariously through you ;)
Calling Crow, glad you liked it! James is definitely the man, he writes some awesome stuff. I do to do another hub, I'm just waiting for it to come to me. 50
you are such a powerful individual @50 I truly admire your resolve.. I am so glad I met you here on hubpages I have learned and will learn alot more from you ~hugs~ Peace unto you my brother stay safe
blackreign2012, I'm truly honored by your comment and am thankful we met here as well, you have taught me much, made me consider much and recognize things I knew but didn't know I knew. You have revealed your resolve, it's depths, and your willingness to admit new possibilities of life, if I was younger I'd seriously get flirtatious with a Woman like you. Thanks and ~hugs~ back at you, 50
I've been reading some of your comments mainly to see if I thought you were really living as simply as you say you are.(Cuz, if you were, I want to follow you.) After reading this hub and your comments, it is clear to me that you are who you say you are,and a firm believer in the Lord as well.What a rich life you are living!I envy you!
I remember reading a work in college( think it was Thoreau, but then again..I am 60 now, so.....)Anyway, he went to live a simple,frugal life alone . Our class discussed it and the majority of us stated that we wished we were able to "get out of the rat race'...but we weren't really in it at that time, being students at the time!GRINNING HERE>>>Poor us.....
In later years, I discovered the magazine "Countryside" I bought chickens, goats,turkeys, and had a huge garden. It was so satisfying.But I still had to go to work(school teacher)everyday. AS I approached 60 yrs, I looked forward to retiring and living more simply.I must have bookmarked 50 blogs on living off the grid,living frugally, or simplifying life. I really enjoyed your comments and hub about how you have managed it.Keep hubbing!Love your style!
Because of recent serious health issues, I am retiring and have started my"paperwork".I will not be able to afford health insurance.
What do YOU do about medical issues?
bayoulady,I had this on my mind from before I turned 13, I had read a book about a kid that ran away, he based his ability to make it on Thoreau, a book I own but still have yet to read. I've got VA insurance and go to Mexico for my health care needs. I suppose I need to add a hub to cover a complete answer for your comment. This takes commitment in giving up a lot, but the gains for me were better. 50
I'm so glad you decided to join the HP family! I sometimes think about selling out and moving to a cabin in the north GA mountains!
Habee, I did this soon enough to enjoy it it was the single best decision I ever made. It fell into place just right, the opportunities to gather the goods were awesome.
I was able to play like a kid for years, I'm slowing down some but I still go on adventures with my Rotties every week.,50
Hi 50:
It's always nice to find a neighbor here on HubPages. Linda and I live on the westside of Phoenix near ASU.
We often travel in your general neck of the woods when we wander the Apache Trail. The land is gorgeous in its wild way. We marvel driving thru the miles of lava fields behind the Superstition Mountains.
Gratefully, we live indoors and venture out on these hot summer days when we must but often wait for sundown to find our pleasures outdoors. Even in the midst of the city we still find the heavenly lights fill us with quiet wonder.
Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I've kept my own desires to escape the city to myself. Although a native, Linda would just as soon remain a tourist to the hills and hollows of the wild country. And I would sooner keep my druthers to myself rather than live a lonely night in the old trailer out front, lol.
Hub Crafter, a lot to do and see in this state, I agree this time of year it's best early and late. The wilds are what make the state. Only drag is snowbirds of winter clogging the streets. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know, 50
I really enjoyed reading about your adventures in living off the grid and all. Great stuff.
Love and peace
Tony
tonymac, thanks glad you liked them, 50
I hope your little bro wakes up and takes you up on your generous offer. This is a great hub with enough practical information to get folks seriously thinking about easing off the grid. Most folks need the slow change rather than the drastic one you made, 50. Imagine if everyone dropped their cable television subscriptions. Wouldn't it be fun to watch the fallout from that one? We have none. Can you tell? Super hub. Up and awesome.
JeanieR, your smiling picture and light hearted reply is a heart warming experience today, I'm glad you liked the hub. If everyone fell off the grid and said no to pay television it would be great! I've seen the money they spent on putting the cable up to get people on subscription and have done work for the construction crews in California they would cry! Glad you enjoyed your visit.
I'll visit you soon, 50
A Jarhead and a Christian - thought I was the only one. Semper Fi, brother, Semper Fi, from a 1351 - toe poppers were my favorite. Missed Nam by a couple years, you have my undying respect. So tell me, as a leatherneck and a christian, you think there's any stronger force on the face of the earth? Yeah, me neither - glad you found me, friend, 'cause I'm sure glad I found you.
Dave, I caught you on another hub that I commented on, then checked your profile and hit the follow tab. I'll try and catch up on some as time allows. A 1351? Check out my little brother Mickey Dee and his latest hubs here is a favorite of mine that was the first I read and didn't comment, just because I didn't and to explain would be a hub. http://hubpages.com/hub/Vietnam-1968-1969-Or-Was-I I believe you and he held the same MOS. He is a solid Marine with Christian leanings and the promotion of the "Golden Rule" Mathew 25:31-46
I can't claim to be a larger, or stronger force than other Christians, but I communicate and enjoy my solitude and freedom that he has allowed me, to date, and it took faith to be where I am and it seems to get better every year out here, 50
Hey 50! Peace brother. What a fine chronology of change...your life and success is to be applauded.
The struggle of the masses will soon become unbearable to them and the govt.Before long it will collapse in chaos and anarchy.
It's just my opinion, but their way of life is on a train out of Brooklyn and are nearing Malibu Beach. That rendezvous with destiny will create an interesting atmosphere to say the least.
We're seriously thinking of a refuge from here on the island ourselves. If something overtakes us, we have poor land here and hunting is a near impossibility. Fish perhaps. But we would need power and a good radio.
I talked to libby the other night about finding solar panels, and building a water trap from rainwater. We own he trailer outright, but the cost of panels is high. You seem to have bypassed the cost w/govt waste.
I know the game well. While i was in Wiesbaden Germany, the Com Squad where i worked replaced and tossed all computers on the base. Perfectly good computers, but because of allocations the Air Force had to buy new ones to keep its yearly allocation money. Only a German National could purchase them, and he just stripped the platinum. It was some fool agreement between both govts.
Thank the powers that be you have found your "Gods little green acre" (so 2 speak)Your story is an inspiration as well as a well spoken message!
You just may have to defend your anonymity and freedom some time soon 50. They will come and try to take what you have wrestled out of the ground.Those same fools who failed to prepare will want yours!
"Oh the Times They are a Changin"
Peace Mi Amigo :l-~ greg Z
gg.zaino, you are so right there will be collapse and strangers looking for relief at the gate. I've plans for those times and a feller can only help so many, then the would be takers will come and it will be with God how that turns out for them. Thanks for reading, peace 50
Hi .50
I live about 60 miles from you and right next door in spirit. I recently equipped our motor home with solar panels and a couple of Trojan 6 volt batteries. I replaced all the lights with 12 volt LED's, and with care (and water) we can get by for months with very little outside support.
Good articles!
Will, great of you to drop by. It's good to be ready for things to go wrong and hope they don't. I like being in good hands and I don't trust all state to be found any where after that. Thanks for reading and commenting, your the first who hooked on to me that stopped to read in a while, so I'll be by to see you, 50
Lost about half an hour reading through this hub and the comments--time well spent.
Guess we could say our Border Fort (a mile from the Mexican border) is sort of "half" green, "half" dropped out. Not underground, though sort of "slightly sunk", recycled rubber flooring over strand board over plastic sheeting, all loose lay.
Always wanted to marry me one of the latter, but never quite did.
Walls aren't bad for above ground. Paint, stucco, earthbags (filled with leftover septic system dirt from onsite), 2"x4" insulated stud wall inside that.17 inches of total wall--.50 armor piercing could give us a problem; AK-47 not so much. "Ordinary" truss roof on top, low pitch, R-30 insulation, steel panel roofing. No piercings in roof except for rubber-grommet screws.
Steel doors, deepset in 2"x12" framing, and one of those doors nothing but a decoy. 2 windows to a side, 2' square sliders, bottoms set 4' off the ground. Invaders would have a dickens of a time squirreling through, easy to pop a .22 round through an eyeball or an ear on their way in, leave 'em flopping in the window casing. 8 butts doing that in 8 windows with 16 legs in full spasm ought to be kind of discouraging to most small attack groups.
Propane wall heater, 20,000 btu, more than enough--but survivable with nothing if need be.
Not up to your Cave's standards by a long shot, but for a mere civilian wannabe, not too bad.
Have done tourist trap gunfights in costume--in South Dakota, not AZ--but never did try that bit of blacking a tooth. Got no tooth to black!
Ghost, hardening the entrances is good, I went under for the sake of needing no heat or swamp cooler mainly. I've scabbed stuff out of wrecking yards like the bright overhead lamps of ambulances that run on 12v as do the spot lamps from old cop cars, a few sirens and inverters from them as well, I do have full voltage at 440 3 phase for welders and other machines of use. A little at a time. Hunt them snakes and freeze em. learn to skin em get the meat eat it and salt and roll the hides for sale to the tourist traps. Much stuff out here to turn a dime on. 50
50, I'm glad I picked this one to read first. I remember years ago Tim Leary telling everyone to drop out, along with tuning in and turning on. Well I think most of us were good at 2 of those but not many dropped out. I salute you for that. While I did my time in the service I've never owned a gun but totally support your stance, When my son was about 12 he had a thing for guns which made me have more interest. I had friends teach him the right way to handle them and we even went to gun shows and at one of those shows I signed a petition against the ban on AK47's in Ohio. I've always thought taking guns from citizens is the first step to something we don't want. I can't tell you how much respect I have for you. I live on almost no money but with a lot less solitude, good for you! Peace!! Tom
justom, when living on no cash one has to get creative, and guns come n handy at dinner time. I've got a desert full of things people buy and that work boosts me to just at the poverty level, otherwise I'd be at well under half.
I'm good with folks who don't do guns, when we need them I'll have some to share, I thank you for stopping and commenting, 50
Dusty, did you ever make the YouTube Videos?
Tina, I haven't made any mainly due to not having a camera that doesn't use film or 8mm tapes. I have an adapter to put the tapes in and make them full size to play in a vhs tape player, I'd like to find a way to convert that to dvd. The desk top computer I have that my brother sent when he up graded has round plugs like on the back of a dvd player but I don't know if it's for using a flat screen TV for a monitor or what it does. I'm not up on electronics or how to do videos on you tube so I've got to get a camera and learn how to get it done, Peace dusty
Some pretty great stuff you have here**i will be back
IN2Deep, thanks for reading and commenting as well peace, 50
Great posting. Are you set up to make money from Google AdSense? Great hubs and I'm sure you could make a few free bucks that way. A hub about how you buy all that great surplus would be welcome too.
I'd already be your, distant (got to have a good fishing hole), neighbor but the wife isn't a pioneer!! LOL.
Tony, got some serious fishing in the Salt River that feeds into lake Roosevelt and have had some serious good times at different places the took me a few years to turn fishing and sunburns to fishing sunburns and fish fry's to boot. I've seen the surplus super panels disappear almost and what you find are good but more $$ than a poor boy can afford.
Peace 50
I actually saw some for sale not too long ago that were supposed to be like the ones your described but this was the second party reselling them. Bet the price is a lot higher than the ones you got.
Looks like good bass fishing there and above where the river is worked to death. Probably still pretty nice above the lakes before all those cities.
Tony, thinking back I got the 3 non working 20x15ft panel clusters for 30k most problems were poor to non-existent soldering jobs from the builder, so I watched the guy I hired and pulled my meter and began testing just marking the spots and left the repair to him, dusty
900 sq feet of panel? Wow, must put out a bunch of power.
Tony, at one time I could have told you, but if all are piggy backed and the proper inverter installed I remember 440ac as a low end number. One panel is out of use at all times and crated to with stand a shot of base ball hail or even being tossed by high wind. I alternate the other two weekly, they feed a battery bank, that with the inverters and voltage requirements kept low. A 1955 washer wringer set up out side and clothes line, there is what normally is rated as high end power, along with A/C, electric heat, and you know the drill. I've got 3 freezers counting the combo fridge and low drawer freezer. Lighting is 12 volt, from ambulances, motor homes and most any vehicle lighting is available, as are relays,fuses,switches, dimmers. Just think junk, I got 7 inverters 12v to 110 65 amp out lay for 100 bucks at a junk yard in the Indy area who didn't even know what they were and had these pulled and gathering dust. If you've ever seen the lighting in an ambulance, it is bright, as well as hook and ladder and other truck units fitted for EMS. A crashed cruiser with a mangled light bar gets yo the blue light low ambiance lighting if wired with a dimmer. One panel is all I need but never hurts to plan for a greater demand,or loosing a panel, 50
50 Caliber..I really enjoyed reading your hub! I have always admired people who are able to just let go and live like you do..When I was younger I use to have a lot of what I call "John Denver" moments. Never made it though..I am taking small steps..I love the whole green concept and think the earth is so worth saving. Living simple and thankful makes one so rich.
Thanks again,
Sunnie
Sunnie, I'm a great fan of John Denver, I bought the 8 track of Johns Aerie album I believe is his 2nd LP album and it was his best in my opinion as a total album but there are many of his songs as singles that are great. Finding that album on the net has proven to be a task, many of the songs on it were written by others but he took them to the high points of there performance. That 8 track and player are in the China Sea where I rode a Huey copter for a splash landing.
I jumped into this idea by buying the solar panels first as I thought go or stay the would work. Then the question of how to quit with out suicide and it was just getting sold out and doing this job and what a job it was. Now it still is like a job but the hours and boss are flexible. Thanks for reading and the comments, Peace 50
Hi there 50 - You're an inspiration and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your decision to live off the grid and the determination you had to make it happen. Enjoy the sunset while it's still free! Peg
Peg, Hello! Thank you for reading and I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. I here you on the price of the sunset, it's really not all that free from a soldiers view, but I'm glad I had the chance and there remain those who are taking the chance right now. I need to read the news and see if we are in another war with Libya, or if we just supported the international community and are pulling back letting others spend money and time taking Qaddafi Down. let's hope.
Peace 50
This way of living is so appealing. I fell out with the UK's -or lets say the Western worlds view of 'how' we are expected to live a few years back. I had a mobile workshop and some of my own lorries,But i did well financially after hard work seven days a week for a decade with no Holidays. The rules and regs of the UK to run such a business as a one man band are nigh on impossible to conform to -especially with some of the ridiculous health and safety issues now enforced.
You are well technically proficient Dusty but still have faith in God, its a huge down to earth trait found less and less today as folk pray to their credit cards. Its amazing that you had to move states to 'de-criminalise', just by crossing a state line. I know a fella here in the uk who collected antique guns and was jailed for four years for using them out in his own lock up cellar- the guy was over sixty years old. Most of the guns were antique.The guy had them for most of his life. Being a small place- the UK, one crazy psycho who shot people changed the laws, and private collections became a liability.
Using those ex- government solar panels which were ex-gov' stock is another common thing which illustrates the waste of governments. I looked after a fella's fleet of six 'skip' trucks at one time and his waste yard was full of unused government generators, steel, office furniture, tools as he had a contract to remove local council property waste. The equipment he let me have as part payment for work- before it was taken and weighed in at the large scrap yard saved me thousands, Some of it was perfect and like new. I can only imagine how much a larger government must throw away.
The life experience you have is pretty rich and covers a lot of ground, you definitely use all the talents given to you by God.
nomoretrucks, I appreciate your laudatory comments, but I have to say after reading your journey, how could one compare? I was simply amazed as to "craft prayer" and answers that you wrote about. I have experienced a few my self and told them once and was scoffed at, but they were real and for me and no body else. My place is crude but the roof don't leak and the temperature is fine, all year. Everything here is happenstance, I didn't buy the land to live on it, I didn't buy the solar to use but at my place in California. I would never have thought of under highway bridge box water ways for a set of 4 walls and a roof. To this day and when I die here[I hope] I will always believe God had a hand in it and made a path hr was sure I'd follow,
Thanks for stopping in, dusty
Well. . . I must forward this marvelous hub on to my nephew and sister + a few friends. My nephew lives in Yucca Calley, California. He has one of the first trailer-homes ever built which he has turned into a very small, solar paneled domicile. He has one of those genious-type minds which he put to use making his own gas for his car from some kind of oil. He rigged up his own electricity, phone and tv reception and doesn't pay a penny for utilities or tv. He dug himself a well for water and lives happily with just his 2 dogs. I love arizona and would move there in a heart-beat. My very best friend, Julie lived and died in Gilbert. We traveled all over the state - so beautiful. Thanks, dusty for this remarkable and inspiring hub. God bless you and be with you always. :)vocalcoach
vocalcoach, glad you enjoyed your visit. Yucca Vally, no there is a cool place, I putt my old Harley that away now and agin, I have a small diesel 4 cyl. engine I've been looking at how to put in the jeep and make it multi- fuel, to burn corn oil so every one smells french fries when I got by. I figure He and his dogs have neighbor up and down the road? I'd nail that trailer down! He get winds of much power?
Thanks for reading, and if your nephew has internet I'd gladly hook up with him, we could trade know hows, 50
Harleys are the best. My ex had an old one that he completely restored. I will call Mike (nephew) and get his email for you. You two, have much in common. Thanks, 50.
vocalcoach, much thanks, dusty
Interesting and well shared piece of article which iwas readily informed after reading.
Sun-Girl 2 glad you stopped by and read leaving a nice comment,50
Brilliant hub, the comments are an amazing read as well. You are living the dream held by very many people, and I am sure that God is looking at the rest of us and saying that if only we could all live your way, we would be so much happier. Good hub and great blessings to you for sharing your experiences. You are a lot braver than the rest of us.
Ms.Steph, if I may, God is great! God is good! I thank him for my neighborhood and I mean that from the heart. I have been blessed. I bought this property back when the Phoenix area was rated #1 growth in the nation. I bought the solar panel arrays just with the thought of fixing and selling for double plus. I could go on, but basically was a time that 3 successful businesses were mine in California. I was buying and flipping homes, pushing for that multi million dollar portfolio. I made some bad choices that landed me in a position of loosing all the homes, 6 that I had to sell under what I owed when the housing bubble of the late 80s in Ca. burst and some other things went bad that landed me right where I needed to be. Things just started falling back in place after living a year separated from people working a job protecting the right of way for a rich man in the Mojave Desert 24/7 and a day here and there when the owner came out and let me go to town while he filled in. I'd go to Tahatchapee and saw them building the solar farm and got an in on these panels. Anyway I had no plan to do this, it struck me and it all just worked out. There is more but I'll save it for a hub.
Thanks for reading and letting me know, 50
Dusty, I had no idea!!!!! I think it is absolutely, without a doubt wonderful that you checked out as you say, I will do something like that one of these day when the time is right...I too, just want to be done with the rat race life that most people are all too consumed with...By the way, your fences won't keep me out if ever I make it to Arizona, I will be visiting you....Take care my friend lovingly, Nadine
Nadine, if you happen by this way, you will find that 6 strands of doubled then stretched like a guitar string, on 5 ft posts are quite formidable, I have been adding the angled out ward post extensions with coiled razor wire. So you'll have to dig down and go under. The front gate has a buzzer and squawk box so you can buzz me and I'll let you in. If I'm not home there are any where from 1 to 3 Rottys inside the fence, they are friendly and will accept you if you do get in, but they won't let you leave, every thing and person belongs to them inside, they are trained that way. You'll need a GPS and my lat. and long. to find me and a solid 4x4 to get up here. Best way is let me know and I'll meet you in town and either pick you up and drive you out here and if I have enough jp5 for a round trip I'll give you a scenic helo ride through the canyons and then to my home. Right now there are a couple 37 year old girls that are here most of the time. They were my baby sitters after open heart surgery about 45 days back. They may be staying on permanently and are talking about selling both cars and getting a new Jeep with 4 doors, so transportation may get even better than my old jeep that will rattle the fillings out of your teeth. It has lots of springs for trailer pulling so it rides pretty rough. There exists one hole in the fence to let my wild burrows come and go, but it's almost impossible to find. Peace and Love Dusty
LOL! Good morning (Dusty)...sorry to hear about your latest surgery and poor health...wishing you well over there in paradise..it sounds like you have everything, and I mean EVERYTHING covered...in my dreams I wish to visit you...just to say hello...Well my friend take care and hopefully your nurses are easy on the eyes...take care, Nadine
Them two critters have been a pain in the ass since the late 70s, I got out of the Marines and I guess they were 5 or 6 and best friends, always seemed they were in my path wanting to go desert playing. Debb is a niece and Marcee is her friend, who tried to set me up with her mom who was single back then, she was lying to me about what her mom had said and lying to her mom about what I said and neither of us had said nothing, lol, kids can't live with them and can't shoot them, go figure. They learned to be smart asses, but I don't know from who. I left and went to California and stayed 20 plus years before I got tired of driving back to my desert, they were mad when I left them and were mad when I came back and lived where I do, cuz they couldn't get out here with out a 4x4 and at the time no cell phones or computers, wow have things changed since then, eh? My health is good, if this overhaul takes hold I'll be messing with folks for another good while, Peace and Blessings, Dusty
Good Morning Dusty,
When you said you were going to the Dr's awhile back I had not idea you meant OPEN HEART SURGERY!!! Oh my goodness..I am so happy you are okay..I had sent you an email checking on you awhile back..I did send up some prayers too..Glad you are back and well..so glad to see you about on hubs..I see you have met my sweet friend Maggie..She is a gem... take care of yourself..we love you and want you to get better soon..don't work too hard..Having young nurses around should keep your heart beating in pretty good time I should think..LOL
God bless my sweet friend,
Sunnie
Sunnie, I'm glad you stopped in to visit a bit, I'm still popping a few pain pills but find a good stiff Bloody Mary in a frozen mug, after a days work filling feeders and water troughs for the surviving wild life at the Monument fire zone, cools me off and relaxes my hurts. The worst is from driving to and from, the two helpers are filling the water barrels and the feed was loaded by dock workers. there are 7 more helping me feed those animals who lost habitat food in the fires.
Peace and Love my smiling friend, how are the chickens coming along? Dusty
I feel so badly..I would have checked sooner..I saw that you were back and was so happy just no idea how serious..Glad you got some help and what a rewarding work you are doing..always wanted to do something like that. The chickens are doing so great..all in the coop and go in on their own during the night and free range during the day..amazing to me..getting so big too..don't care for the poo on the porch as they come running in the morniing to me but it can be hosed off..no biggie..Chrissy thinks she is a chicken now and wants bread or anything else I give to the chickens but she leaves them alone and just watches them. I was a bit worried at first. Well i am so glad you are back..missed ya! Please don't work too hard...and take care of yourself.
Love,
Sunnie
Hi, Dustin! I thought I commented on this hub before but when I looked could not find myself. Anyway, haha, you present the most awesome kid of life style here, one that many people are interesting in for actually attempting or just reading about. I certainly wish that you would write some hubs on your home and how you have managed to build the whole little world you inhabit. (I think I've bugged you about this before)
Writing about this topic would bring you traffic and some cash. More so than your right wing yammering. I have often thought that people are interested in reading for information, not about how I personally view the world.
And it's funny how we are on such opposite ends of the political spectrum, yet I enjoy your stuff so much! If we ever met we'd fight like cats and dogs! You are the man!
Ah, Dolores, I typed a wordy reply and the system failed, as it does from time to time and I loose what I wrote and the sails seem to loose their wind. I don't want traffic or money, I despise my self requirement of personally having to answer each reader that comments, but that is part of the game of writing for reaction. I do have personal favorites that I feel attached to and enjoy their visits. There is this one chick, Annette who is on that list, she is fun and of a different school than most and I think that our perceived differences would make for a kitchen table conversation way into the night. I'm not an argumentative person and find level ground with any and every one, given chance. I am about as right as I am left, I'm more central than anything else. I got involved in 2008 that once again sat me at odds with the world. I admit I got overly involved with the right agenda, looking back at some of the rantings I published, I've been tempted to take them down, but I view them as a season of my life and so they stay. I've come to an impasse that being a fundamentalist, supporting the constitution, is a thing not worthy of my time. I live in the "Twilight Zone" where nothing short of a civil war will ever effect me, if I stay in my fence or in the outback I can control what flies and what dies. The government has no effect on me one way or the other, and while it changes the one thing that touches me is property tax. No Phone, TV and such it was a quiet life until this computer thing came along, but it's my choice as to on or off and who I play with. Many say they want to live like this BUT, then they add all the things they need and end up circling right back to where they are, just too materialistic, and needs of restaurants, movies and entertainment type stuff. Me? I like my cooking and I like sitting in the warm night rain watching the best lightening shows ever produced. God got them perfect when we have our monsoon seasons generally around July. If you were to be here we wouldn't have time to fight about nothing for two weeks at least, it would take that long to show you all the stuff that you would never guess were here. I think you are a talented person who appreciates the yesteryear parts of life and by the time you were ready to leave we would have traded many ideas on many subjects, bread, soap making, cooking and the likes of DIY. For me, people asking me to write, is not simple, I have 100s of tales to tell but if I can't raise a spark of motivation, I can't type them. I have 40 starts that I've lost motivation in the middle and just can't get back into them. I have 20 finished, but they are too wordy and need to be broken into 2 or 3 parts, and so it goes...... much peace and love, dust.
Hi Dusty. I am reading some more of your hubs. If you don't have the energy to answer, don't worry about it. I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed your writing and your comments. Happy to hear the Lord is taking care of you and you are doing better. Take care of the baby burro, My husband named our Clinton, Thought you would get a kick out of that. He comes up with unique pet names. Like Timex and Rolex, the watch dogs. Bless you, Becky
Becky thanks for reading, I laughed at them names, I always find if a critter hangs around long enough they'll tell me their name bu the stuff they take to doing, peace dust
Well, Dustin - tune in turn on and drop out. It's all BS anyway. When people start talking politics, right or left, one becomes agitated. Far better to sit out on that porch watching the sun go down. And forget just talking about the bread - we could bake some bread, eat while watching that sun go down, get into that desert solitude. I visited a desert a time or two and just fell in love with the America there, as well as feeling like I was in the hand of God. Cried like a baby on the walk back to the car, back to the "real" world.
But when that sun goes down, it's into the kitchen for a glass of wine, and lots of arguing! (Your friend Annette is a pain in the ass)
Dolores, ah the desert at sunset, a bit of wine and ripping a loaf apart watching. The desert is the cradle of God he holds us rats very close. Annette would have a tough time arguing at her self, I just smile and listen, life is too short to waste on such, I got a new ass in the shed look about you'll find it here somewhere, Peace my friend, Dustin
Hi Dusty,
Thanks for sharing this great hub with us. I loved it, especially the last paragraph that began with:-
Life is funny how it twists and turns with each decision one makes.
I am at the point now where I can relax and know that I am where I always wanted to be.
This hub my friend is brilliant and I vote up all the way.
Take care
Eiddwen.
Eiddwen, thanks for the gracious comment and reading, I truly love this place despite the rough edges, I hope to follow on this,
here's to more to share,
Dusty
Awesome, Interesting, Useful and Beautiful. I am amazed at your intelligence and ingenuity. You are over-the-top, the best. I read a good portion of the comments but ran out of time. Keep on - keeping on. I myself cut loose in a way or two from the norm. Sold my parent's huge house - didn't have to - could have stayed. I sold - donated - gave away tons of stuff that they hoarded. It took two and a half years to clean, upgrade, and remodel for a decent sale. I went the other route and got a studio apt - in the heart of a Village - close to everything - work - markets - etc. For a whole year I only had 20+ watchable TV channels - but that got boring even with videos. I am a loner more or less - like it that way. Too busy and too much in love with Jesus to care about what others think. Ed Begley, Jr. is very impressive with green technology and the Science Guy - Bill Nye. I will read more of your Hubs. Thank you very kindly.
Deb, thanks for the read and follow, I live in Gods country and Jesus is a thought away in the quiet, money is highly over rated, a bit helps though and I part with any I get freely. This is way more than I need but all construction stopped in favor of one big room save laundry and bathrooms, other parts are done but not used.
Enjoy,
Peace, blessings
dusty
Good morning, 50 Cal (Dusty, if I can be permitted). Absolutely fascinating story, and my envy drips off every sentence you wrote. I've often "kidded" with my new wife about saying the hell with it and getting a cabin on the side of the mountain, spending the rest of our years hunting, fishing, and growing a garden out back. Glad to see you had the guts to do exactly that. You're a treasure, and a throwback to the times when men could fend for themselves without help-or instructions- from "big brother". Be well...I plan on coming back often for another helpin'.
50-Caliber- Your hubs are always so interesting. I like the way you always include the details in your stories. I like reading the stories about your critters and your land.
ThomasRydder, just back trying to catch up, I made a western state tour gathering meat and visiting for my last trips to the areas in this life anyway, so hope you don't feel ignored. Glad to see new folks come by, and your welcome to call me anything but last to the table, ha!
It's not as easy as it sounds, but it is the most rewarding thing I've ever done, Peace,
Dusty
Well shuckins there PaddyBoy is that a fiest, rat terrier sittin there with you? My eye balls kinda suck these days, ah just got back literally from a travel about and now from seeing your picture more bigger and I just hauled the mate to your dog, a dumped dog that I found on the back road here, and she is a blast, who ever did that messed up 'cuz now she's settled in, she's a lot of fun with the mini Frisbee that I toss for the small dogs. She's nosy and if you spook her when she's investigating she jumps an easy 3 feet straight up, and gets mad and turns her back and just sets down and goes to ignoring me, a laugh a minute! I thank you for reading and commenting,
Peace,
Dusty
Hi Dusty - Yes Sir, she's a Rat Terrier and Jack Russel mix. When I am home she always wants to be in my lap. She is kind of skittish too. She used to help my wife herd in the chickens when we had them. She would try to herd the horses too, but they were too ornery, and would chase her.
Paddy, mine is skittish and runs to me and jumps for me to catch her when something she don't like is happening lol great dogs for shaking rabbits out. She's a keeper and a hot bodied dog.
Little Paws is getting up there in years, but you couldn't tell it the way she runs after Squirrels. She's a good dog, and I wouldn't trade her fer nothin!
Howdy 50, I was thinking that I had left a comment here before, but after some browsing realized that I didn't, so here I am now. I think it doesn't hurt a soul to get out and "ruff it" as they say. It gives one a chance to break from the pack and breath a bit. Not only that, as a Christian, it helps to clear one's mind so they can hear the message God sometimes sends, but often gets lost in the clutter of everyday chaos.
My family and I lived "green" for a few months, and to tell you the truth, I would do it again in a heart beat. Great hub! Glad to be a follower of you! (I use to think is was so "awesome" that my great granny was 85 before she had an indoor bathroom. It use to be an adventure to visit her.)
50 Calibar my daughter sent the link to this hub. It was great reading. I know it wasn't easy for you but it sounds like you know how to make it work. Thanks to your little bro for setting you up so we can enjoy you here on hubpages
Hi Tipo, glad you dropped in, I achieved the dream and guess I'll stay on here full time LOL, it's the only place I have except traveling the highways. My fathers Mom was the same, she still hand pumped water and ran a wood stove, I come from dirt and I love playing in Gods sand box. Peace, Dusty
mljdgulley354, Aye, thanks for joining on and leaving me some mail, I signed on and will try and get by and visit soon. This living green takes spells of work, right now I'm winding down hunting season packing the freezers. Not complaining just doing, thanks for reading and letting me know, Peace,Dusty
Dusty,
I've learned more in reading two paragraphs of your work that I could have learned in an entire semester in college in regards to 'going green'.
I almost never watch television, but in truth, I'm a communication junkie. However, with your description of the wild and quiet life, it comes across like a Grizzly Adams story, and you've got me convinced it must be fabulous!
femme
Femme, I read you blog every now and again as it pops up in the circle thing that some how I'm part of with just you so I'm OK with that but I don't get how it works or why, but I'm good with it as it don't bite or kick and I don't have to feed it.
I've fallen away 'cuz no phone or magic jack gizmo any longer just email and this place, I get my dose of social needs here and email, then once in a while I'll sneak over to Face Book and be rude and obnoxious.
I don't know why I used "green" as the catch word 'cuz there's not all that much green here but I have all the beach I can use, I really need a big puddle of salty water, surfing on a 7 ft board in a 5 ft bath tub is not all that much fun. I watch my television but a dust covered reflection is about like my bath tub surfing.
This mess is best left to crazy people who are a bit isolationist for it to work, I doubt there are many who could stay out here for a month, knowing that just over the hill is a bunch of bright lights and noise and places with a bigger menu, all though mine is pretty large and covers most big game of North America if one wants a salad kitchens closed in that department.
It's really not "fabulous" but it is my way and I kinda like it, glad you stopped by and read a bit and let me know, I'm due to have a thought any day now and write something else but don't wait on me just go on with out me, your better at it than me.
Peace,Love and blessings,
dust
Dusty,
I don't know much about how the circle thing works either yet, lol! I just got in invite from the Frog Prince few months ago and started using it.
But, dangggg!!! I feel hugely honored and privilged that a Marine is reading my blog!!! My daddy would smile really big about that! :)
I don't mind remote. Where I grew up in the Wabash/Ohio valley is remote as far as towns go, but it's populated with farms, livestock and lots of cropland.
I loved it and I miss it terribly. The only thing I like about living in civilization is the convenience (which I'd not mind giving up, ever), and that God's blessed me with some wonderful friends to help me endure the concrete jungle and being so far from kith and kin back home.
The closest town with a traffic light is about 30 miles away. But when you grow up on gravel and dirt roads, they seem to be more of something to disturb the peace than to make for better traffic patterns.
My city-friends think country life is bizarre and boring. But in truth, when living in remote areas, there's not lots of time for boredom, because there's always so much to do; animals to feed and care for, wood to chop, fencing to maintain, hiking, cycling, fishing ... all available just past the yard on nearly any side of the property, lol.
I haven't done desert remote though. And, though the the Ohio/Wabash valley is inland, there's loads of water. So, unless there's been a heavy drought (which is unusual) there's more water than needed to the point that the folks who live in the river bottoms have to get around by boat and sometimes live in houses built high up in the air. They leave their autos parked across the high-water levees, and take a boat to the vehicle when they need to get to town.
I'll be hanging in for that thought that's due any day now.
Please keep up us posted! :)
femme
Femme, hang in there! I never know when one is going to hit! If your on face book let me know! and I'll search you and request to join you. I don't show up on searches is what I'm told, my settings maybe?, I dont keep a bunch of friends I had like 265 and don't know how but I went through and culled the ones I didn't know so I'm at 37 or so now and we get on crude tangents due to some getting carried away,
Peace,
dust
Dusty,
I'm easy to find on facebook.
You can search me under femmeflashpoint, lol. It's there same there as it is here. :)
Hit me up and I'll be happy to friend you. :)
femme
I have friends who live in underground homes ,they work out great for them. Easy to heat and cool,and they are real quiet. You hardly hear when the big storms roll through these parts. I like rual small town life and I do mean small town ,we have more horses than folks I think,lol. I can be in stopplight city in 20 minutes, that's good for me. I I bet the night sky is impressive where you live .
Femme, I'll do it, peace,
Dust
Dusty,
The above comment from "nee" .... she's my little sister, lol.
Seems you've acquired another fan. :)
femme
Nee, seems I lived many years buried and wouldn't know how to act if I was in a human dwelling for too long these days. It is the way to beat the heat and the cold too. I have a whistling spout that if the wind gets rough I can see to the animals. Just recently we had a major sand storm that was west of me and I saw the back that wasn't as spectacular as the pictures I saw of the wave of dirt and sand that hit the cities, awesome sight, you might Google 2011 sand storm for the phoenix area and see it.I definitely have little light pollution and the nights are great, I thank you for reading and letting me know, Peace,
Dusty
Angelia, I thank you for spreading the word, Peace and Blessings,
dust
Your life of the outdoors is interesting, and hard. My father was a fisherman, and outdoorsman, but you kick up the challenged life a few notches more. The modern joys of life can have there woes. I did a little of my best to keep up with dad, but got tired of dragging flat boats up the sides of interstate bridges although I spent some boring hours watching burning logs by a campfire. But my father left us with fond memories, like the time when he peddled home on his bicycle frightened to death because he said that the largest catfish in the world almost abducted him, and took him to Mars by route of the local river. Dad loved the outdoors, but was mentally nagged by World War 2 memories. He was a front line infantry combat sergeant.
God Bless You.
Stars439, Glad you kicked by for a read, I understand that some don't care for an outdoor over load, My little brother is like that, He prefers recliners and TV. I'm happy here and doubt I'll ever be on over load.
Glad you have fond memories of you Dad, I too hold them for mine a WWII Pacific Island hopper,
Blessings,
Dusty
50 caliber I stumbled across your profile and truly enjoyed this hub. I am fascinated with people that have accomplished what you have in deciding to live green and make it work.
This Marine mom would like to say 'Thank You' for your service.
Life lovemystery, I kinda just bailed out of the world, green was a test term if at all in those days, but It is a bit greener here with water being obtained, too old to turn back, I appreciate your thanks and pray for our troops and wish them all home, Peace
50
That is a wonderful picture. Great article!
antonrosa, thanks for reading and commenting, I appreciate it,
Peace,
50
breakfastpop Level 8 Commenter 2 years ago
Dear 50 caliber,
I am very grateful that you came to hub pages. Imagine, I would never have known your wit and intelligent mind otherwise. Please stay on the hub. Honestly, I would consider it a great personal loss if you stopped coming by for breakfast...POP...