So much happening so fast, it's really hard to keep up with it all. But it all seems to be moving us towards the Ozarks. Our truck (a 1988 Ford F250 that someone basically traded us for a Chinese scooter) will be outta the shop next week. We got a great deal on all the work and will have a rebuilt engine, new power brake system, new power steering system, flushed radiator, transmission work, new A/C, and a tune up, all for less then anything we could have gotten for the price.
Talked to the lady who's giving us the Yurt, looks like every things a go, should be picking it up next week. She says that some of the 2x4's have been taken for other projects, I say, great!! Less to hull out to Missouri...
We got a great wood burning stove with a great history. We got a great deal on it ($75) and the guy really needed the cash so it was a win win situation.
We pick up a Over Cab camper for the truck (just in case we have to live in it for a short time while we build the yurt) that has a full kitchen and full bath. We looked at a few of these on craigslist that ran between $500 and $1000. We got this one for $250. And it's really nice!!! Yay!!!
We found a guy who has a yard full of stuff that's going to be perfect for the farm. Green houses, trailer, tools, goat fencing, tons of wood, etc. And all he wants for it is $350... DEAL!!!
A guy emailed me last night offering me 40+ pieces of plywood. I emailed him back but haven't heard from him again yet. Hopefully that comes through. That'll come in handy for building chicken coops and a goat shed.
Well, that's it for now, And I'll do a better job of posting on here.
If anyone is interested in donating to the site (and the adventure) I put a paypal button below. You don't have to have a paypal account to use it. Thanks for stopping by.
Joel & Amanda
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Dreaming of land
We are really not much different. We all have our dreams, they maybe different dreams but when we find that dream that speaks to our soul we all have a tendency to, well, obsess on it a bit. Who among us hasn't drifted off for a second or two, while at work, thinking of that island vacation, stayed up late reseaching the different destination, the different hotels and what they offer. Local fair and attractions. I would say we all have. It may not have been an island vacation, but maybe a new car, a new career, a new business idea, a new house, or maybe it was land.
Land, the plentiful earth (as I heard someone say earlier today) the fertile soil... And the pretty picture all over the internet, land for sale. Amanda and I would stay up til dawn some nights, just looking at different plots and comparing them, this one has a great garden area but that one has a natural spring. This one is close to the city and this one is next to a national forest. And this one, there's just something about it. So many options. We finally made a list of the traits that were important to us.
Missouri, yep, we liked the Ozarks. We need to be close to a town so we can work if we need too. Water, that's at the top of the list. At least five acres, that sounds right. And secluded, private and quiet. Needs a good garden area, pasture area for goats and chickens, but we like trees too. Mortgage has to be under $400 so we can pay it without working too much away from the farm. This is what we want and we stay awake nights dreaming, searching, praying, hoping, wanting...
And about a year after the dreaming had start, we see it. 5.77 acres on the North Fork River (a great trout fishing river), about half pasture half treed, the pasture area above the flood area, 45 minutes outside of West Plains, MO. Actually it has everything we want. Mortgage $350 month. We make an offer, the offer is excepted, we sign some papers, we stop dreaming of owning land and start dreaming about getting there.
Shakespeare said, "to sleep, perchance to dream" We dream while awake, we hold those dreams closer, nurture those dreams more; live, taste, smell and feel those dreams more fully until they are no longer dreams. Dreams become real. We awaken dreams and they in turn awaken us.
Land, the plentiful earth (as I heard someone say earlier today) the fertile soil... And the pretty picture all over the internet, land for sale. Amanda and I would stay up til dawn some nights, just looking at different plots and comparing them, this one has a great garden area but that one has a natural spring. This one is close to the city and this one is next to a national forest. And this one, there's just something about it. So many options. We finally made a list of the traits that were important to us.
Missouri, yep, we liked the Ozarks. We need to be close to a town so we can work if we need too. Water, that's at the top of the list. At least five acres, that sounds right. And secluded, private and quiet. Needs a good garden area, pasture area for goats and chickens, but we like trees too. Mortgage has to be under $400 so we can pay it without working too much away from the farm. This is what we want and we stay awake nights dreaming, searching, praying, hoping, wanting...
And about a year after the dreaming had start, we see it. 5.77 acres on the North Fork River (a great trout fishing river), about half pasture half treed, the pasture area above the flood area, 45 minutes outside of West Plains, MO. Actually it has everything we want. Mortgage $350 month. We make an offer, the offer is excepted, we sign some papers, we stop dreaming of owning land and start dreaming about getting there.
Shakespeare said, "to sleep, perchance to dream" We dream while awake, we hold those dreams closer, nurture those dreams more; live, taste, smell and feel those dreams more fully until they are no longer dreams. Dreams become real. We awaken dreams and they in turn awaken us.
In the begining
It starts with a dream. With a willingness to let it happen rather then the willfulness to "make it happen" I'm pointing my energies in a direction and am open to the outcome. I understand that this journey is more than just a new adventure for my girlfriend and myself. But owning land and living off of it is a spiritual responsibility. I am hoping that if I stop looking for magic, I might find miracles.
Welcome to my Blog. I will try to tell the story of how I go from a big city boy to a small "off the grid" rural farmer. Along the way, I will share my pitfalls and successes. I will ask for advice and may give it as well. I will share what I learn and hopefully inspire a few others to try escaping the grid.
I am Joel and this is how it begins...
Welcome to my Blog. I will try to tell the story of how I go from a big city boy to a small "off the grid" rural farmer. Along the way, I will share my pitfalls and successes. I will ask for advice and may give it as well. I will share what I learn and hopefully inspire a few others to try escaping the grid.
I am Joel and this is how it begins...
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