Feb 22 2009- Just an update.

Well, I'm not crazy! Thats the conclusion I came up with after reading so many blogs about other people doing all the things I dream about, and all the people who also have the same dream but hav'nt got around to it yet, for what ever reason. It is now confirmed that I am not alone. I can't believe there are so many people with the same dreams as my own. I tip my hat to the full time RV'rs, van dwellers, off gridders, survivors, frugal homesteaders and such, and even the people who dream about it. There are so many interesting blogs out there, that I can't even keep up. The more I read about people doing the things I love, the more eager I am to get started on my own projects.


My goal for this year is to just get out there, I just want something rigged up to live through a cold winter in and I would also like to try my hand at some gardening. That should'nt be too tough, although I might need a little moral support on the gardening thing. Once it warms up a bit, like maybe April or May I plan to rent my place out in town, and live in my rv while the shack is being mastered. But not for sure just yet, still making plans. I do have a potential renter and I think she would be great to have if it all works out.



There is a well down below and closer to the creek, with a hand pump. 19 pumps I think it is and I have water starting to flow, I hav'nt tested the water yet. But my plan for now, is to put in a cistern up top and just haul my own water from town. I will then pump the water from the cistern to a smaller holding tank inside the shack as needed. This way I should avoid waterlines freezing in the cold winters, as I don't really want to be running power for things such as a heat tape. The inside tank will probably be about 50 gallons and I am unsure about the cistern, but the bigger the better. I will deal with the well at a later time.




I am equipped to haul my own water and it would'nt even be much of a chore, if I go to town or work there is a fill station I pass right by that I could use. I can water the garden etc from water from the creek if need be. As for putting in a cistern or any other dirt work, I will be doing it all myself. I bought an old JD rubber tire back hoe a few years ago, just for this purpose. I shopped around for quite awhile and got to know a good deal when I saw one. Of course it needed a little bit of TLC at first, as is with alot of things you buy at an auction. I have done a few jobs with it for various different customers over the years, but I never did get right full time with it. Most clients were people I know, you know the ones that think I am supposed to work for free. They got a surprise. lol. It costs money to operate things like that. Theres always something for expenses. I kinda thought a backhoe would be the ultimate acerage machine. Excellent for any lifting, landscaping or digging and it works really well for plowing snow, which is a major concern for a man in living Northern Alberta. I think I would be kinda lost without it.

Anyway, so just a bit of an update just so you don't think I forgot all about my plans and dreams. I am doing alot of thought about permits and all that lately, I am thinking that I will probably have to build a sewage treatment mound, although if I can legally get by without it, I will. It would'nt be to bad though, the major expense on that would be transporting of the materials, (sand, topsoil, washed rock), But then I do drive a truck for a guy and he does own just the thing to haul all that with. I can't see it costing too much. The rest I would do myself with the hoe. Anyway, catch you all later. Thanks for stopping by. I'll update somewhere down the line.