One Year in Homesteading is Not Much Less Difficult

It was fully expected there's always something left to be done at a forest homestead.  Indeed there is -- and it hasn't lessened any a year later (arrival was 10 December 2022).  I saw so many YouTube homesteading videos of smiling faces, 'glam' meals and effusive praise for the scenery and sunsets -- I could smell the deception.  You can get all that stuff just listed, but at about 400% the effort as opposed to doing the same in a condo in the suburbs. There is always something to do, improve or think about.  Last winter was off-grid with a generator and not enough of anything.  The snow wasn't much but was enough to disable a Ford Escape Hybrid with tires only fit for city streets.  Unable to move for six days.  Buddy got in on Christmas Eve and took me for food, fuel and drink.  Stouffer's (microwaved) lasagna for Christmas dinner.   At that time I had a grand total of six weeks experience with RVs, travel trailers etc and had traveled once in one for a few days.  

I suppose the advantage is that glaring deficiencies in your preparations some become evident after a few weeks on the homestead and most often there is time to correct those deficiencies -- yours will be different than mine were.  That takes money and most often a lot of money.  After one year I just completed purchasing what I will need to survive and thrive here.  The biggest item was to fill the pantry and that was done -- to the tune of about six to seven months of food on board.  There was no grid power for the first nine months.  During that time I learned very well what it takes to live off-grid and be comfortable.  Of course, getting power was a milestone but that induced many more new problems.  The microwave, water heater (electric side) and A/C are all on dedicated circuits of a 30-amp service.  That left me two 1800-watt circuits.  And I wanted a handy assortment of countertop appliances and two big TVs.  I run four little cube heaters set on low (750 watts).  One heater is on the additional 20-amp circuit in the office and three are on the two 1800-watt circuits, along with laptop workstation on the dinette and an air purifier.  The unit faces due south and the solar heat gain during the winter when the trees are naked and the sun low on the horizon is impressive !  Many days the heat gain inside is 25+ degrees.  On 50-degree days I can turn off all the electric heat if the sun is out.  I easily crank the indoor temperature to 80-degrees if I am so inclined.  

For additional useful space I converted the rear bunk area into a little office (see pictures) and there is space for a workstation, the web server and a nice large freezer.  The freezer is what tips food storage in my favor and  allows a lot of excellent frozen food products.  The Norcold fridge is great but many of us know it's not near large enough.  That space is still a work in progress but I have it functional now and the extra floor space is a blessing.  Based on experience on long trips in sailboats I wanted all space fully functional as much space as possible.  I have to live aboard for a while and wanted the amenities of a live-aboard sailboat, if that makes any sense...  That new office space -- it needs a new 20-amp electrical circuit to run everything in the space so that area is on an extension cord and power strip right now.  The extension cord is on a GFI circuit with an outlet next to the 200-amp service outside.   The onboard 30-amp panel inside has to be upgraded to 50 amps so I can properly wire the office.  That project is et for warmer weather...  There is an inside tour available on my YT channel -- TennesseeHomesteadUSA -- to show how there is zero storage space left and no clutter.  

Improvements are needed on this older trailer but it's in great shape and clean.  I did resign myself to probably spending a summer on the exterior and interior improvements.  The first summer was cleaning up the homestead and prepping for and building power infrastructure.  Next summer is the roof coating, solar panels, battery boxes, hitch painting, bumper painting, 7-pin plug replacement and general detailing  etc.  More storage is always an issue.  There is a 16-foot truck box at the rear of the property soon to be available for storage but I want and am getting a 20-foot shipping container.  That will be turned into modular storage for my large food reserve and a workshop.  Am going to wire it inside, install A/C and plenty of outlets for a nice long workbench and some shop equipment.  I have two large toolbox stacks and many boxes of tools and the little workshop will be ideal for my tools and equipment.   A modular shop that can easily be picked up and go with me is a large part of the homestead plan.  I already have tools and supplies for and it will be equipped to repair ANYTHING associated with the homestead.  Vehicle, generator, trailer, whatever.  And much else.  That guarantees being able to isolate for SHTF or whatever and being able to maintain everything.  One little breakdown or loss won't be a disaster.  I'll have spares of everything I can get my hands on.  

Winter and the holidays is a good time to kick back, host friends on the game server, celebrate, reassess and look ahead to warmer weather and all the work to do.  A lot of grass to be brought in outside this summer.  With no source of water on the property that is a nuisance, but I have a water catchment/storage project in progress.  For now it's relax and watch the eagles over the lake every day.  Ain't going outside too much lately !  

There are videos of all this on my YT channel (TennesseeHomesteadUSA) but all the narratives and drama I intend to post here.  The post I did on bread making here at Permies turned out totally Kool...  Making really killer bread now.  

Wow. It looks beautiful there--I think it will all be very worth it, in spite of these first "hiccups"!

I was hoping you were located in the "Hills" nearer to us, but it looks we live exactly opposite diagonally from you. We get a lot less snow, cause we are close to Alabama!

Best wishes, and have a happy New Year!

I moved from central GA after 16 years.  Couldn't get as far out as I wanted there for the price I could get here.  Spent HS years near here.  Good country and mountain folks.  Far better hunting and fishing than GA.  Perfect place to work on a non-fiction history book that has ballooned to five volumes.  Being here makes that struggle considerably easier...

It's true, there is always something to be done on the homestead. Check one item off the list and add several more.

However, it sure is nice to reflect on how far you've come. I think you've done some great work in a short amount of time.

Here's to a great next year on the homestead!

Your bread is excellent! Big high 5!

And The King looks happy with the bottom line 😉

Happy new year 😀

I hope next year will be a little easier for you.

This is a good bath of reality.
I see two ways of living off grid in the woods.
One is embracing poverty and live like a hermit : only the bare necessities and your thoughts.
The other is creating a luxuriant homestead. The latter takes effort and (you realised) money. Some people may enjoy the challenge of getting there with little money. It's not impossible but sure it looks hard. For what I've seen, starting without money means living like a hermit the first years, directing all efforts into creating capital (infrastructure, tools, knowledge).

And that is his name -- The King !  AKA Tigger.

He has a big job here with all the mice, rats and critters.  

Abraham Palma wrote:This is a good bath of reality.  

I arrived reasonably well equipped and researched.  But there's nothing like actually moving off-grid overnight and spending nine months mastering off-grid living.