Videos
Snow Load
I finally had to break down and climb up on the roof to shovel it off. We have had lots of snow and it managed to add enough weight to drop the roof a few inches and push a beam through a wall that separates our living quarters from the part of the building with the caved in roof. I took this as a sign from the old roof that, if I wasn't going to do something about the snow, it would not be held responsible for any eventual outcome.
Frozen Lifeline
The Argo is our lifeline in winter. Our hunt camp home is about a mile off a seldom travelled gravel road and the trail leading out is navigable only by Argo. If the Argo is out of commission the next option is snowshoes. So, if you are a mile into the bush and you have some emergency and the Argo doesn't work, well, you have a problem. For many Argo owners, it's a toy, but for us it's a lifeline. I am aware of the importance of keeping the Argo maintained and in good running condition but there is always the unexpected and that's what happened here. I was prepared for any mechanical issue with a selection of tools and spare parts but there was no way to predict what would happen...
The Winch
On our way to a life beyond the grid we purchased a piece of property. The basic requirements of the property were that it be near water, be well treed and have a building of some description on it. This property has all the requirements including a building. The description of that building when we bought it is a story of its own but, needless to say, it was in desperate need of repair and renovation. This is where the trees come in. Our idea is to rebuild using the timberframe method. Timberframe requires many large wooden members with names like bent and girt but they are all essentially 8 inch square timbers of various lengths and purpose.
New Wood Cookstove
We thought we would add a video of our old/new wood cookstove...take a look.
We found this gem in the cottage of a local wood stove merchant. These stoves are hard to find in our area, well, except for the new versions worth thousands complete with digital displays and gas burners instead of wood. Not too many people appreciate the value of cooking and heating with wood.
The Outhouse
Living off the grid requires that you be your own sanitation department. Ours is located about 50 feet east of the cottage and is an example of the latest in sustainable sewage disposal technology. This is not your typical outhouse with its dreaded opening, the sights and smells of which can put you off your lunch. This fine example of the outhouse craft is a board and batten structure complete with RV style toilet bowl designed to separate you from that which you come to leave behind.
First Loaf from the wood cookstove
With the new to us wood cookstove now installed it was time to try it out. Our first attempt was a loaf of homemade bread. There's nothing like the smell of homemade bread in the oven and we wanted that smell.
KISS Wind Turbine
This is a KISS (keep it simple silly) wind turbine constructed out of materials you can find at the hardware store and a found DC motor. Only 4 tools required to build it plus a small welding job. ... Here is the completed wind turbine mounted on the picnic table..
Rainwater hand pump
I love using rainwater and I love my little hand pump. We have a rain barrel outside under the eavestrough and a hose from it to my little hand pump in the kitchen. The barrel holds 50 gallons and a good summer rain will fill it and that keeps us in water for weeks and weeks. Since we put the barrel there it has never been empty. Free water and no electric bill to pump it into the house. What a joy!
Solar Wiring Video
This is a short summary video I took to show the end result of my solar wiring efforts. The system has been running now for about a month without any problems.
Our Sustainable Washing Machine
Our sustainable washing machine was constructed from these parts: a plastic garbage can with a lid and wheels...just what we happened to have; an old shovel with a broken spade; a plastic bowl and a metal bowl; a short piece of pvc pipe. I cut the handle off the shovel and attached it to the metal bowl with a screw through a hole I drilled in the center of the bowl. The metal bowl was needed to support the plastic bowl and force water to the outside of the bowl.
