Hello. I am a long time Permies lurker that created an account to specifically reply to this post. I came across it while doing my research on Maine and the types of things I am interested in like homesteading, self-sufficiency, alternative buildings and energy, agriculture, and general outdoorsy stuff. I have frequently thought about living secluded in the woods or an island somewhere every since I was young. I read a book called "My Side of the Mountain" about a young boy who lived in the wild forest of upstate NY. I really like the colder climates and a rugged way of life. I don't know why, but I have spent most of life bouncing around from one place and job to another without ever really pursuing my dream. I guess I felt the need to try and fit in and do things the "normal" way. I am pretty much done with that, and committed to pursuing my dreams. I am 36 now and starting to realize life is too short to not live life the way you want to. I have spent the past few years researching sustainable living and alternative housing and energy. I have also been looking for the best places to do what I am interested in. I had already narrowed it down to Maine before coming across this article and have spent the last couple months researching real estate and locations. I am glad I found this topic because it may give me a chance to practice (and possibly stay long term) as well as check out some different parts of Maine and find the best piece of land for my purposes. I have been an avid hiker and have been along the Appalachian Trail in Maine so I was naturally drawn to the central part of Maine, although I also have an affinity for the ocean and coast as well. I could easily see myself in either location, both giving an opportunity to focus on different activities. In either location I would be interested in living a homestead lifestyle, growing, gathering, and hunting most of my own food. I have some experience in almost every area of this type of life, but would value close connections with other likeminded individuals to fill in the gaps and learn more.
I am definitely more of an introvert and loner, but that doesn't mean I don't like to interact with others. Philosophically I would say I am libertarian oriented and see individual anarchy as an ultimate goal if possible. I value personal freedom and responsibility, and generally support others choices so long as they aren't agressive or imposing on me. I easily get along with others so long as our interactions are voluntary and beneficial to both parties. I am an amateur philosopher of sorts and prefer to look at life as it could or should be as opposed to concentrating on how it is now. I believe we have reached a point in human evolution where survival is no longer the goal, and we need to take the next step to thrive as a species without destroying the environment around us. I truly believe that human beings have a lot of growing and evolution left to do and we have only begun to scratch the surface. So far we have relied exclusively on technology to do so, and I do love technology, but it is our social interactions that have stagnated and are the cause of many problems in our society. Sometimes people call me a hippie because of my long hair and full beard, and I am not offended, but it isn't very accurate. I am not that interested in the spiritual side of life and tend to be more logical and science based in my approach. I also am not interested in counter-culture and rebelling against any system. I just want to live my life and hopefully leave the world in a better place that it was when I started. I may not be the most bubbly personality at the party, but once I make a connection I am an open book and would do anything I can to help the people I choose to spend my time with.
I value other people that have skills that I could only hope to have. I especially appreciate artists and performers of all kinds because I have very little talent in this area. I also appreciate the mechanically inclined, which I am far better at understanding in theory than executing in real life. I have made great strides purchasing a small tractor and attempting to restore it on my own. I have managed to get it completely apart, but putting it back together is proving to be a bit more difficult
I also really respect people that have a completely innocent and open heart. Various circumstances in my life have probably left me a little more jaded than most, but my hope is constantly restored by some truly great people I have met. After reading some of the musings of Tom, Craig, and others I already feel a bit connected without ever having met or conversed. I can tell by the way you write that we have much common ground, which I have rarely felt even when living in cities with millions of people.
I would really be interested in joining your community, likely in the Spring of 2017. I would like to be one of the first to build a small cabin that I will likely move on from at some point to have my own property which is hopefully connected to this community in some way. I have a lot of skills to bring to the table. I have remodeled an old home myself in the past. I am good with construction, electrical, plumbing, etc., and have done a lot of research on alternatives to the mainstream way of doing things. I have a background from my military time in IT and communications. I am also a pretty good cook and have taken college classes as well as worked a year as a cook in a pretty cool restaurant. I have done a good bit of gardening and am interested in organizing a large scale production garden for eating, preserving, and some selling. I am very intersted in learning more about animals and have raised chickens in the past. I grew up hunting, but haven't done as much as I would like as an adult. I enjoy small game and birds the most and using my dog to help. I also enjoy fishing especially via kayak and have done quite a bit of scuba diving as well and have all the equipment for deep cold water.
I look forward to hearing more about this community and hopefully making some personal connections. I am not just a browser or outsider looking in. I am very serious about coming to Maine and possibly even taking a trip this fall to scout things out. If a perfect property presents itself elsewhere, I may jump on it, but would still be interested in connecting with this group of likeminded individuals. I only know one person that lives in Maine thus far and am wide open as to which part of the state I paln to settle permanently. I am somewhat concerned about some towns and areas that seem a little hostile to "flatlanders" and people seeking an alternative lifestyle. I am very excited about the new national monument, and have been disturbed by a lot of the negative reactions it has received. I think having a good relationship with other local people is important, but at the same time would like to avoid towns because of their overly burdensome regulations and taxes.
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