Wed Apr 14 20:31:47 UTC 2021

I think I'm going to do it.

I spent the last few months of quarantine thinking about moving
out to the woods in a rural part of the country(USA) and living
off of the grid.

There are several key components to be addressed in an undertaking
like this, and I'm thinking I'll use my phlog to document them.
Once I get out there I can record events here and it'll be fun to
read back in years to come.

1. Land - I'm searching for land with water on it more than 10
acres or around 20 acres without water on it. These seem to be
criteria that work. I also am staying under 1000 an acre.

2. Water - Rainwater harvesting is likely the main source of potable
water.  This will require a large 500-1000 gallons of storage and
a way to treat and move the water. Ram pumps are cool, there are
on demand water pumps that are not too big of a power draw too.
Depends on the land.  In my idea scenario I would have a garage
and solar panels and stuff up on a hill and the water would be
stored up the hill and the house would be at the bottom of the
hill.  Allowing for water pressure regardless of power.

3. Sewage - Initially an outhouse was my plan, but I think I can
find a vermi-composting toilet system and that would work great
for me since I'm just one person.

4. Food - This will be a serious element. I can garden pretty well,
but the land I can afford is in cold climates so I need to build
a greenhouse.  I dont think I'll be vegetarian. Probably have
chickens and will have to barter for milk or something.

5. Internet - this is something I'll have to actually have money
for.  Star-Link is promising but I'm Ok with Satellite if I have
to.

6. Environmental Controls - There are some great Mr Cool heat pumps
out there. They'll work all the way down to -10 or so.  I'll probably
also need a wood stove.

7. Buildings and Infrastructure - Well I'm running out of time,
but the general thought is a greenhouse, a workshop area with
covered area for vehicles, main house, outdoor kitchen.

Shucks.  It took me too long to write it out but this is the general
plan.  I'll try and update my thoughts in more detail soon.

Thanks for reading my gopher phlog

-mnw-