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...