Maine SWF seeking homestead partner

Hi,  I'm Katie
I'm currently converting a full length school bus into a home. Im looking for the perfect piece of land to park her on. ... then dreaming of growing a small farm and possible hostel.  I plan to end up near the Appalachian Trail and I'm looking for a partner, male or female,  to help me reach my goal.  The bus is currently parked on 23 acres just outside of Bangor. I also own a small house in Bangor. I'm pretty easy going and possibilities are endless.    Check me out@ Magicalschoolbus.weebly.com

Leblanckitty@yahoo.com

You appear to be quite interesting, you have any pictures?

Hi Katie,any particular areas that you are fond of along the Appalachian trial. I have been pricing property and prices do vary depending on where your looking....Larry

Hi, Katie,  That looks like a fun project. That school bus is HUGE ! , at least for something you can drive around . I'm working on a similar mobile home project . Here are some ideas that I've been looking at;
I am installing flexible  solar panels on the roof with a mppt charge controller to deliver 12 volts. This will charge deep cycle lead-acid batteries. This  gives you enough power for LED lighting and water pumping and other small loads. I use a 12 volt Aquajet on-demand water pump to pressurize collected rain water for the kitchen and bathroom. For the toilet  I am using a modified Sun-Mar rotating drum composting toilet. The modification is sinking it into the floor so it is at normal height and using a 10 gallon Rubbermaid bin that is removed from the outside  instead of the teeny tray that comes with the toilet. This eliminates the black water situation and the 12 volt system runs a little  biscuit fan 24 hours a day so there  are no odors. Now you don't need any holding tanks (like in a common RV) and the gray water can go directly onto a garden. Heating the bus in Maine  in the winter might be tricky. I went to school up there and those buses  just stay cold all winter. I'm looking into the best thin insulation . You have a lot of single pane windows that lose heat. I'm thinking clear bubble wrap blinds to still let light in ??  I could go on and on.     Best of Everything, Benton

Adam Pladson wrote:You appear to be quite interesting, you have any pictures?

Should be a picture on the school bus website.

Larry Bock wrote:Hi Katie,any particular areas that you are fond of along the Appalachian trial. I have been pricing property and prices do vary depending on where your looking....Larry

Hey Larry,
I'm kinda thinking either Monson or the Carrabassett valley area.

Hi I live in Monson and are building a homestead with a family what are you looking for?

Anthony Cliff wrote:Hi I live in Monson and are building a homestead with a family what are you looking for?

Sorry I'm just seeing your post here....I am thinking something along the lines of a hostel with more of a community center feel to it. Small farm and garden where the community can volunteer in exchange for produce, or daily meals provided by the hostel. A work for stay option allowing hikers to volunteer on the farm in exchange for a meal and bed. Just brainstorming now, but would love to end up there in the next 5 years.

Hi Katie,  would love to talk to you. You seem like a lot of fun!

Hi Katie !

Impressive project, I read your blog with interest. Hope you are well situated now and thriving.

I 'm located just north of the Maine border in New Brunswick. I was particularly interested in your stove situation. I have a "ministove" too. I make special short wood for it which I store in Bulk bags ( the big white ones used for various products) I also use some garbage cans. I bring the wood in in 5 gallon pails. Works well, but like you say the problem is the burning out fairly quickly. Putting a wall of brick behind and on either side will capture and store the heat so that it stays warmer longer.

Hope you post again and give an update!

Thanks everyone for all the great info and suggestions.... haven't accomplished much as some projects on my house have taken priority.
Subfloor is in.....  Looking to tackle the stove situation and Frame out the bathroom next.... Will try and post pictures soon.

Ya , things take time.

I'm a stonemason so if you need tips or help with the stove let me know . It has to be 100% safe .

Hope things are thawing out down your way, this rain will help , hopefully !