Monday, July 28, 2008

7/28 Off The Grid details

For those of you who are not familiar with the term "OFF THE GRID," it means not being connected to the power grid. We will be utilizing some very old methods and some new high tech methods for taking care of our needs.

Lights/radio/refrigeration will all be powered by the sun via solar panels.

Cooking and heating water will be done on a wood fired stove and wood fired hot tub.

Septic will handled by use of a "Humanure" toilet, which basically is just composting our "waste".

One may ask WHY we would ever want to live like that. There are many reasons that came into play when Matt and I made this decision. They range from childhood stories that really touched us (My Side of the Mountains, Swiss Family Robinson, Robin hood etc.) to the desire to be "Green." I hope through this blog I can explain our logic and you can see where the motivation and passion for this comes from.

7/28 Planning, Designing and Searching for land

On New Years Eve of 2008 Matt and I decided to give 100% to moving to the north woods and living off the grid. During the rest of the winter and spring we began designing our mini cabin, planning what we could live without, reading everything we could and searching for property. On June 5, 2008 we purchased 7 acres of land in northeastern Minnesota in a town called Embarrass. The property is heavily wooded and has a lot of bog and wetland. Our designs are complete and we are building a 288 sq ft heated structure with a sleeping loft and screened in porch. We will be able to sleep 6 comfortably. So we are hoping for visitors!!! In the up-coming posts we will add pictures and details of our progress. We appreciate all the support and encouragement we have received from friends and family!