Living Off The Grid

Moving off the grid required some planning, preparation and attention to detail in several areas. In future posts I will address the following subjects.

• Preparation
  • Research and Learning
  • Record Keeping
• Making the Initial Move
  • Propane
  • Water
  • Septic
• Utilities
  • Water
    • Cistern
    • Quality
    • Rainwater Harvesting
    • Grey Water
    • Solar Hot Water
    • Water Meter
  • Septic System
  • Electric
    • Conservation
    • Batteries
    • Inverter
    • Solar
    • Wind
    • Generator
  • Propane
    • Safety
    • Tank
    • Appliance Conversion
    • Delivery
  • Refuse
    • Minimize
    • Recycling
    • Disposal
    • Composting
    • Temporary Storage
• Communications
  • US Mail/UPS/FedEx
    • PO Box vs Mail Box
    • Package Deliveries
    • Driving Directions
  • Internet
    • Wireless
    • Satellite
  • Television
    • Antenna
    • Satellite
  • Phone
    • Cell Service
    • Antenna
    • Doc-N-Talk
• Housing
  • Site Built
  • Manufactured
  • Green
• Security
  • Vandalism
  • Snakes
  • Rodents
  • Fire
  • Emergency Services
• Miscellaneous
  • Resources
  • Products
  • Publications

Julie on our newly created driveway.

My first job in Flagstaff was at Northern Arizona University. I had a one-year contract to work on data conversion for the implementation of a new administrative computing system. Not wanting to pay rent and not wanting to invest in a house with an uncertain future, Julie and I opted to trade our small class C motorhome for a larger class A We lived fulltime in the motorhome for two and a half years. The motorhome has all necessary systems – fresh water tanks, waste holding tanks, washer and dryer, propane tank to power furnace, water heater and refrigerator, a generator, storage batteries and inverter. The motorhome simplified our transition to living off the grid.

The main decision that we had to make was where to locate a house. This had to be decided before installing a septic system. In order to make this decision we parked our motorhome on the property and spent a few days. We did this in the windiest season of the year. Living on the property for just a few days gave us a chance to watch the wind and sun, a chance to walk and re-walk the property, a chance to discuss the pros and cons of each location. We selected a location that provided a compromise between various choices related to wind, privacy, views, existing water courses and minimal impact on the land.

As soon as we purchased our property we began selecting a contractor and researching the process of obtaining permits to install a legal septic system. After spending a few days on the land, we moved the motorhome to a park in town and scheduled the septic system installation.We instructed the contractor to level a small area – just large enough for our motorhome – and extend a branch of the septic system to the location. Next, we contacted an individual to haul and distribute volcanic cinders to create a road and a pad for the motorhome.

That was it! As soon as the septic system was installed and the road and pad were completed, we were ready to move in and begin planning and working on a permanent residence.

A secluded place to block as much spring wind as possible.

The night before last I left my reading glasses in the car and realized it about 10:00. It was cold so I wanted to rush out to get them and opened the back door – and stopped dead in my tracks. The sky was amazing! Constellations, planets, stars, the milky way – all shining, crisp, awe inspiring. That’s why I live off the grid. I enjoy and thrive on the experience of living in harmony with nature.

My property is located on the corner of a square mile of private property. To my west is one mile of state land and beyond that is about eight miles of national forest. To my north is one mile of state land. I cannot see my closest neighbor’s house and do not see artificial lights at night. I have a sense of solitude.

Each day leaving for work or returning home I see several jackrabbits along the drive on my property. Week before last I saw antelope three times.

I live off the grid because it gives me a sense of communion with nature, it gives me a sense of contentment, it gives me a sense of accomplishment, it gives me a feeling of self-reliance — because it feels right.

The area is open range and this horse could travel several miles if he chose.

Hello!

I live in Arizona, about 25 miles east of Flagstaff, just west of the Painted Desert and on the eastern edge of the San Francisco volcanic field. The “hills” in the photo are volcanic cinder cones — extinct volcanoes. The last volcanic eruption occurred about 800 years ago, approximately 12 miles northwest of my home.

My property is circled in yellow and does NOT have access to water, electric, gas, cable TV, internet, trash pickup or phone service. I have all of these conveniences just as if I lived in town but, I provide these services for myself. In this blog I will describe the small challenges and great benefits of living off the grid.