Our 3 month off-grid experience

We finally did it!  For years all we wanted to do is have a space of our own where we can grow our own food, play with our son, and take care of animals.  We made the decision early September and just like that we packed up and left for the mountains 1 month later.  We decided to rent a hobbit house whilst checking out the area and getting a taste of off-grid living.

The first night was a disaster.  We could not find any matches, lighters or torches and had to set up a tent in the dark.  I was petrified hearing the wild animal sounds and was convinced something is going to attack us at any moment.  I desperately wanted to make a fire but could not.  I realized that I actually had no idea how to take care of myself.

We made all kinds of silly mistakes, and I am looking forward to continue making them.  For instance, I left a candle on the wood oven.  Before I knew it the whole stove was on fire.  I panicked and wanted to run out of the house, leaving it all to burn down.  I took a few more seconds just to observe what is going on and finally saw the candle.  It was easy enough to put the fire out and everything was OK.  I realized how often I panicked and that the situation is never as bad as I first perceive.

At first we struggled with our solar panels.  We only managed to sort it out by Christmas.  What a gift it was to wash my clothes in a washing machine!  You will not believe how much strength is needed in your hands when washing mud out of clothes!  The mud goes everywhere.  It stick to everything.  And just when you think you are rid of it there is more!

Growing our food have been challenging.  We do not know the environment and it takes time to observe the natural patterns.  The weather is extreme.  Our first harvests were not good and some critters and bugs keep eating our food.  It’s a process and will take a bit more time before we have an abundant garden growing.  We are looking at underground greenhouse tunnels so that we can keep the temperature consistent and the bunnies out.

We have now found a beautiful piece of heaven where we are looking forward to push this project forward in full swing.  Each day brings its own challenges and as time passes we get used to this way of living.  We have a mountain ahead of us and I am so hungry for the challenge!