Extra Pictures from Arkansas

My crick



Someone was trying to give this little guy away in the parking lot of the Possom Trot. I was extremely tempted.

News Flash: Update :News Flash

Hot dayum things are moving along like a brush fire at a kerosene plant around here. Seems that today my buddy Alex was speaking with the tent people, um , ok Ill back up.

Ok so there is a couple who live on some land near mine in a tent. I haven't met the guy or his ol'lady yet but Alex tells me they are good folks who are working towards a goal similar to mine, although they are quite a bit more hindered than I am. I wont get into any details but suffice to say I'm going to toss this guy as much work as I can. The guy has cleared himself a spot for a cabin and Alex was impressed enough with his work that he offered him some cash to do some clearing for him.

Back to my original story. Alex was out scoping out my driveway today (I have to reiterate how fantastic it is having this guy around, he's just taking it upon himself to make sure I get going down there) and he got to talking to the tent guy about his ideas for where we were going to lay into my trees with the bulldozer.

Tent guy piped up and offered to clear me a 14' wide driveway and a 30'x30' building site tucked into the hill I'd decided on. For $150. Alex said he knows that this guy will do a great job because this what what he did for a living (slash and burn clearing) for a the last few years..I am dumbfounded that anyone would work that hard for that type of cash but he offered and I'm not passing that up, and it's a good deal for him because he's at the site already. Timeline should be inside a week or so.

Additional news includes all the conversations about dump trucks of gravel, borrowed tractors, and imminent back-hoes.

We spoke today about the process of leveling the land for the home site and we determined that we have three levels of tractor to choose from and all manner of things to drag behind them, so leveling shouldn't be too tough. And he has very specific instructions from his wife to buy a back-hoe. Couldn't be working out better. Also spoke about the gravel guy today running me out a load for my base under the cabin at a very reasonable price. Perhaps by next weekend Ill have a 14' driveway and a level home site graveled up for what I would have spent on a dozer rental alone.

Hope this update finds all my friends doing well and until later...keep it Ozark people!

To the land we went..

First i have to say that if my neighbor had put himself on eBay as a neighbor for sale I would have bought him. Flat out, the greatest guy Ive met in a long long time. A former diesel mechanic and race car driver with enough ingenuity to build my dream home for 27k. I couldn't ask for a more likable guy to learn from.

The creek (pronounced Kr- ick ) I'm guessing that this water might get moving through here pretty good and Alex was saying the water came  up really high this year due to a beaver building a damn upstream. He couldn't tell me what exactly happened to the beaver, but it seems that Mr Beaver might have met some sort of UN-timely demise. Hence the normal water level.

What this means however is that some of my land is in risk of flooding if another beaver were to move in and set up shop. I not too worried about it to be honest. I think it would take a tremendous amount of rain to flood out my meadow. And I don't take kindly to no beavers clogging up my Crick!

More decisions have been made and many more to come. Alex and I are splitting a dozer rental this week and clearing me a driveway and a home site, unless he buys a back hoe. Either way in the next two weeks or so there will be a heavy piece of machinery doing work in the dirt on my little piece of terra firma.

I apparently need to go to the courthouse so they can give me an address. Which means I need a mailbox. Who knew? Good news is the box will be pretty far from the house to help preserve a little of the off-grid feel.

I also learned that Alex found a spring on his property and just buried a cistern to capture fresh water. Pumps it to the house with a little horse and a half. With a little sweet talk I'm hopeful that his wife will let me bury another cistern right next to theirs. If so, I'm good on water without a well and that's sayin something! Trouble is I cant get them to string power to my land without a well or a septic system. There is no way in hell I'm putting a hole in the ground for water if i have a spring, and I'm not putting in septic due to the fact that it's 2011 and not 1972. Composting toilets are cleaner and obviously provide a resource instead of a liability, so to me its no contest. What that means for power is another question all together. I have 0 plans to let an electric company tell me how to manage my land and I plan on giving them one shot at me as a customer. If they don't want my money then Ill go solar and grow that system until its large enough to do what I need.

Other decisions might involve putting the kibosh on the tipi. I'm looking at a more solid building like a lofted barn to begin with. I think I can make one of those really nice with a bit of work and they will bring it in an drop it off. Probably makes the most sense as a home base of operation.

I could live in this for a year or so. I actually think I could make this really nice and comfy..Ideas? Concerns? Lay em on me!

I need some floor plan ideas!!

Still Excited.

I just wanted to post something today to reiterate how excited I am about moving into the future. It's really the first time in my life that I can actually say I'm looking forward to the next ten years.

Right now I am catching my breath at my dad's place really enjoying being here with him. Those of you that come and visit will get to meet him and Ill warn you up front, he is the funniest person I have ever met. It's nearly imposable to get anything done around here with all the goofing off that goes on. He is the only person in my family that gives a darn about me and I aim to see he is taken care of forever. The house I'm building hopefully will be nice enough that he will come stay with me someday.

But I digress, that is a song for another blog.

I think Wednesday will be the first day I head down to see the land. I'm dead set on buying a tipi and building a platform down by the stream for it. Dad's a bit concerned about security and animal intrusion but I think those threats exist to a certain extent in any beginning situation. There are countless concerns coming down the road in my direction but they will most likely be things I haven't even thought of yet.

First is first.

Clear a spot and figure out a way to level it or build a level deck.
Figure out either central fire pit or wood stove.
Install tipi.
Build outdoor shower with solar powered pump, water tank and a propane instant hot water dealio.
Build composting toilet.

Once I get that settled I really believe I can take a week or two and just enjoy the peace and quiet. I realize that this might not seem like a dream to most but if I can wake up to 20 degree days with a wood fire and figure out a way to take a hot shower and make coffee, I could probably survive for a month.

Anyways, I should have more to report later this week along with some pictures.. For now though here's a couple from the homestead..

We're big on birds..

Dad is super excited!!

That's all the news for now. I'm officially ordering my tipi tomorrow so I'll have an updated install date for my one awesome follower (Thanks Erin!) soonish. Do I get a plain one or get one all painted up? I vote painted but that adds a considerable amount of time to the project which i don't think i can justify. Dad would get tired of me on the couch by then im sure. Till later kids, keep it Ozark!!

Wanted to post this song that my friend sent me. It's as perfect a song as can exist in my life right now. Another thanks to you Erin!

Back to the Midwest...

Hi all, So I made it. Something like 1834 miles all told. Now the real fun begins.

I wanted to post a bunch of pictures of the stuff I saw in Texas and New Mexico that was sweet. So here they are...























OK so I might not have seen anything that merited geting out of my car in 14 degree weather to take pictures. So i just drove the whole way...

Today I am going to drive out to festus Missouri to check out a building a guy wants moved. Ill take pictures of that for sure..Thanks for checking in...updates to follow...

San Diego to Flagstaff...

Couldnt hurt for luck right??

So I got the bug today and managed to get some miles between Cali and myself. Im missing my friends but super excited to get this major drive over with..

Saw the Big Boy..

Whipped hair is pretty cool...

This is the face I make when Im stoked...

Fair Warning...

The Rig...

Makin Music.

My rig is old fashioned and I don't have one of those mp3 do-dads, so I have to use something called a cd for my car-ridin' music listnin'. So today, in an another attempt to forestall the inevitable, I decided to burn up some tunage for the road. I thought I'd post a list of my travilin' accompaniments.

Lucero: Tennessee, Nobody's Darlings and Ben Nichols Solo joint: The Last Pale Light in the West.
Lo Pan: Saquanaut.
Drive By Truckers: Alabama Ass Whooping.
David Allen Coe: Rides Again, Original Outlaw, Johnny Cash is My Friend and Long Haired Redneck.
Townes Van Zandt: Our Mother The Mountain, Road Songs, Gentle Evening With and Delta Mama Blues.
Calexico: Carried To Dust. Calexico and Iron and Wine: In the Reins.
Grinderman: Grinderman 1&2.

Basically a smattering of good ol' country and doom/stoner rock..Should get me through the 30+ hours without  me losing my mind..Any good cd suggestions for my trip?? Send em my way!!

Till Later...Keep it Ozark!!!

All Signs Point To Tipi

I'm 90% convinced that I'm going to start out in a tipi. I would love to have a yurt but they are just too spendy for a something I won't be in for too long (hopefully).

Most of my concerns about shelter that might be resolved with an RV, can be resolved with a tipi, and for a lot less money. After ordering the tipi, I need to figure out where I want to put it, weather it needs to be on a platform of some kind, and where I'd get the materials for that if so. I also need some sort of wood burning stove that will eventually migrate into the house so a nice one is certainly in order. I found a restored one from an old caboose the other day that was super cool!!

I need to order a non-electric instant camping shower and some solar panels to pump some water. I think with a wood stove and a hot shower, everything else can take a back seat. This also frees up more money to dig a well if I want to. I'm still deciding. 3k is a lot up front for a hole in the ground and I need to figure out how a ram pump works so I can move water from the well without power.

So much to figure out!!

Who wants to help??

Homestead.org: The Homesteader's Free Library: Learn Homesteading, Self-sufficiency, and Economic Survival

Homestead.org: The Homesteader's Free Library: Learn Homesteading, Self-sufficiency, and Economic Survival

Wishes and Wants..

I thought I'd start a list of stuff I need to begin building some sort of shelter. If you or anyone you know has anything on this list that they can donate, it would be very appreciated!

Helpers.
Pallets.
Windows.
Doors.
Fire Wood.
Seeds.
Batteries.
Food.
Dirt Bags.
Plastic Water Tanks.
Wiring and Electrical Components.
Plastic Sheeting.
Nails and Screws.
Linseed Oil.
Solar or Wind Stuff.
Dog and Cat Food.
Seedlings.
Cardboard.
Chicken Wire.
Barbed Wire.
Scrap Lumber.
Wood Stove.
Ducting Material.
Paint.
Tools.
Yurt.
Chainsaw.
Tractor.
Etc.

Obviously this is only a partial list and I will most likely need lots more. But, as a starting point, if I showed up and this stuff was in a pile, I could make due.

Seriously though I will come haul stuff from Omaha, or St. Louis or Columbia. Just let me know. Anyone who would like to come and learn how to build a combination earthbag-earth bermed home should get in touch with me.

Keep it Ozark people!

More Backround and The Dream..

I wanted to quickly expand on my goals here since I have a lot of friends from different backgrounds and it might not be clear to all of them how this all works together in my head.

Long term goal is to be almost completely self reliant. Within ten years I'd like to have the solar and wind power thing figured out so I'm not paying for juice. I don't think this will be too tough and I plan on using a diesel generator (bio-diesel) to handle backup duties like welding or whatever.

Another five to ten year goal is to cut back on the amount of food I'm buying from the box stores. I have a theory that growing my own food can save me a ton of money and be safer in the long run. I'm trying to go in a permaculture direction and plan on having a few greenhouses to add length to the growing season. My property edge is a spring fed stream so water isn't an issue.

The next shortest term goal is a house of some kind. My land is sloping to the south and towards the stream, so it would suit an underground house really nicely. Go find a copy of the $50 and up underground house book if you haven't seen it. It's worth a read.

Ive also looked into cobb building, rammed earth, dirt bag, and cabins. I think I have more than enough resources on the property to build something simple. Clay, rocks, and cedar = cabin. I think I can find enough free windows and doors on cl to make this pretty simply. I have years to make something really nice once I get a base camp set up. I have no restrictions or county crap to worry about.

I have also considered a yurt but the are a bit spendy up front, and a tipi would be sweet, although probably a bit to far out there. Although, if any of you want to ride out and stay in a tipi let me know cause I'll use it as an extra campsite later on if so.

And the shortest term goal is most likely a garage. I need a place to park, and build a new bike. (There are no helmet laws here and the blacktop is supposedly some of the best in the world) I also need a place to store supplies and materials for expansion. So im thinking a nice metal building with a wood burning stove might be on the agenda early. Maybe get fancy and put in a cot or kitchen type stuff if i get lucky. A lot of it will be up to the winds of fate and craigslist.

Ultimately I want to have a place that is THE place for my friends to ride to. When you're heading over to Smokeout East I want to be a stop over. Camping next to a stream someplace safe with a garage and tools in exchange for chopper parts and building stuff seems like a workable deal. I want a chopper oasis in the woods on land that can feed me. Is that too much to ask??

I guess we'll see...

Hittin' the Road...

I'm still in Cali, working on packing up the rig and getting rid of the extraneous. I plan on heading out sometime soon but haven't nailed down an exact date of departure yet. I have until the end of the month and I don't have a house/trailer/tent/anything in the Ozark woods yet, so needless to say I'm not in a great rush.

The main plan right now is two fold; First, Id like to see my land. Yes, I bought it on eBay and no, I haven't seen it yet. Second, I'm going to hook up with my dad in St. Louis and start planning some sort of future that will undoubtedly involve shovels and axes. I'm very OK with that. I am hoping to have a garage built to store supplies and materials within a month or two. It might double as my house for a while too until I get something built. I need ideas on what to build.. Earth berm? Tipi? Cabin? Rammed Earth?

I'm going to try my best to keep this updated daily so you can laugh at me from the comfort and safety of your pj's. I must admit however that I am really excited to be getting back to the mid west. I miss a lot of people that this move should give me a chance to visit after many many years. And by visit I mean drag you people to my property and make you help me build something awesome.

Finally I'm going to be putting in a call for supplies. I am going to try to build almost everything out of re-claimed materials or recycled stuff. One of my next posts will be an actual list and if you are nearby and within driving distance I will come pick stuff up!! Or you can bring it down when you come to visit. Camping is free and we will do our best to accommodate anyone who wants to stay longer to help with construction.

Actual location withheld due to crazies who shall remain un-named. Pm me and we'll chat.

To the Thunderdome!!!!!!