Name:
Standing Up to Live
If you know me at all, you know that I only quote Thoreau when there are big things afoot and this is no exception. The time has come for me to embark on what may well be the most beautiful and challenging chapter of my life to date and I am ready to greet that challenge with all of the energy I can muster. That’s why, starting at the beginning of February, I will begin building a homestead in the woods.
Before those who love me begin to worry too much, the homestead will be located on a small 2 1/2 acre tract of land in central Alabama that is within a 5 minute walk to a main highway, so the chances of me getting lost in the remote wilderness are slim to none. The obstacles however, are many.
Nearly all of the property is sloped, so erosion is an issue. Very little by way of land improvements have been made over the years so there will be a lot of soil building to be done along the way. The existing home is an aging mobile home that will serve as a base camp until such time as new structures can be built – and they will be built by us. Thanks to a notable lack of permitting requirements in the area we will be able to do much of the work ourselves.
This process is going to be a major lifestyle change, but in many ways it falls right in line with what I have wanted for most of my life; a return to the simplicity of days gone by. A way to create my own Walden.
Here is the current entrance to the property. The driveway is washed out by water runoff and ongoing drainage issues so even though it is close to the highway, getting here is an off road adventure. For all the problems that are present on the site right now, the potential in this land is tremendous.
The project itself is an ambitious one but I’m not doing it alone. I will be joined every step of the way by John, my partner and owner of the property. After talking extensively with John we have realized just how in sync our ideals are when it comes to life and the ideas we have about transforming this property into a living, breathing homestead.
It is my intent to chronicle the entire process in as much detail as is possible including budgets and accounting, materials, plans and of course, photos and video. Our goal from the outset is to build this homestead and spend the least amount of money possible doing so by using reclaimed and recycled materials whenever possible and doing the work ourselves.
I’m looking forward to looking back.
Awesome!
Forge on!
Okay – please do document everything because after you do all the leg work (be the guinea pig as it were), then I’ll just copy you. :D
This is so exciting I could just spit. John must be an awesome dude.
He’s awesome enough for me to give him his own user account to post on this site. May the gods help us all.
I’m SO excited for you! This is a dream of mine, too. Kudos to you for taking the next step forward and making it happen!
What a wonderful journey you’re embarking on! Congratulations on your BIG decision. You have a terrific attitude and a great bounty of resourcefulness. Looking forward to following along. :-)
Really looking forward to following your adventure. I’m all in favor of radical life change!
You know you have my support all the way!!
Good Luck!
Shawna
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!! I especially love your last line “I’m looking forward to looking back”.
Michael,
Good luck on this new life adventure! So glad you decided to bring us along and I’m looking forward to all your posts.
You rock!
Scott
This sounds like a fantastic project. Though “project” doesn’t seem like a big enough word. Endeavor? Adventure? Whatever it is, best of luck!!!
So excited for you and can’t wait to ride along through your posts, pictures, etc. Very happy for you. Thrilled. You’ve got a ton of support out here. Big Hugs.
I am so looking forward to watching and reading about your journey. Thanks for taking us all along for the ride!!