Western Montana/40/M - looking for a partner in crime (wingwoman)

I'm a 40 year old single (monogamous, straight) guy, currently located just inside N.ID and working in Butte. I'm an underground miner by trade, BS in Mining Engineering by education (please do not jump on the hate wagon before talking to me!), struggling in the current economy and really looking for a change. I grew up beekeeping (it goes back as far as anyone knows on my mom's side in Slovenia), my mom was a closet hippie that was following a lot of permaculture principles in what she called her "Crazy Garden" clear back into the 80's. Philosophically I am a libertarian, as long as you aren't doing anything to hurt anyone I could care less what you do and will defend your right to do so. Religiously I am pretty much a non-denominational pagan, bugs bees flowers and trees! Politically I think the whole bunch are seriously scary clowns that need to go. I hunt and fish, backpack and attempt to snowboard. I am pretty much a Swiss-Army knife when it comes to skills, engineer, surveyor, heavy equipment mechanic, welder/fabricator/machinist, good with timber work but not finish carpentry (my cabin would probably survive a nuke blast but have crooked doors). I don't do any drugs, not an alcoholic (but love a good IPA or single malt!).

What I am after in life is to find a decent piece of land in MT to homestead...preferably somewhere off the interstate. Location could be honestly anywhere between Missoula and Red Lodge. My big criteria are accessibility to water, southish exposure, no covenants and not on the interstate or in town. I'd like to build a minimalistic timber frame house to sleep, shower and cook in, and build a decent shop as a workspace. Food forest and natural beekeeping right off the bat. I'm determined to get out of the rat race and be able to literally support myself instead of surviving on the whim of the markets and big business.

I've never had much luck with relationships, it seems like I am too much of a greenie tree-hugger for one crowd, and too much of an earth-raping carnivore for the other bunch. I haven't given up on a family, and kids love me! I'm really looking for a partner in crime or just friends with common interests!

That is all I can think of for now, thanks!

You sound adorably awesome!
If I wasn't so scared of the winters in Montana,
I'd feel intrigued to apply for the assistant criminal position." )

Do you maybe have some pictures for the more cold-hardy
among us?

Blessings!

Gioia.

Here are a couple of pictures, one with my best friend's kid (my head minion-in-training), the other is me on top of Mt. Evans in the Pintlar Wilderness in MT.

Hello Mat,
Are you set on living in that area of Montana? If so I understand that "Home is where your heart is". If you're set on that location, I have a place in Northwest Nebraska that sure could use some of your skills as a partner in crime. 😉

Hi,Matt my name is Tarah I'm a 34 yr. Old single mom I have a 2 yr. Old boy named Jackson. I'm also a pagen and into the outdoors. I grew up in wisconsin on a homestead with goats,pigs,horses,and geese.Well I thought I wanted to move to the city and live a faster paced life and well lets say I was wrongly mistaken(lol) I'm working now as a massage therapist and am into herbal medicine and reki healing.I have been wanting to get out of the city and have a homestead for sometime now just hard alone.

Hi Matt,

I just googled "Red Lodge Montana Permaculture" and your posting is one of the results.

I am a male and happily straight engaged, but I live in Red Lodge and I am looking for a Permie to run some projects by on my ranch.

We have about 4,600 acres in this area so there is no shortage of projects and work to be done.

When you find that partner and need a place to get your hands dirty, give me a call.

Colter
406.425.1027