Off Grid Challenge

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Stuart, VA
Off Grid Challenge

American couple on a quest to living off grid, and becoming more self reliant. Follow us on YouTube! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/OFFGRIDLIFEOver50/

12/19/2023

https://youtu.be/VkuwJ_jRiEw

In this video I talk about our off grid cabin build. I'll be showing the cabin plans, and talk about the few mistakes, and corrections that were made along ...

12/19/2023

https://youtu.be/cIA4qoyzY3Q

SIMPLE and INEXPENSIVE... Way of adding new METAL ROOF to a CABIN ADDITION. Today we are partially installing purlins and adding a metal roof to our new cab...

12/16/2023

Mo will be putting the metal roof on the back addition. Rain is expected on Sunday, so it it extremely important we have this step done right. Once the rain passes, we will move on to the tongue and grove siding.

12/10/2023

We are creating a life we don't need a vacation from. Each day we work towards our goal. A little here, a little there. We've challenged ourselves to step out of our comfort zones and live a more freeing, minimalistic, self reliant and self sufficient lifestyle where less is more and more is less. Less stuff equals more experiences, more experiences equals more peace, more peace equals less chaos and less chaos equals a life of purpose. Why are we here? What are we meant to learn from our existence?

We don't let the distractions of today's society detour our hearts, spirits, soul and mind from living a true life. Baby steps, for each baby step eventually turns into a giant step. Keep moving forward. Cherish your loved ones, appreciate nature, and take nothing and no one for granted. Dream big, shoot for the stars and never give up. For to live is the greatest adventure of all!

12/07/2023

A simple and inexpensive way of adding square footage to a cabin. With the decking being completed, it is time to raise the walls, install headers, rafters, and windows.

VIDEO:

A simple and inexpensive way of adding square footage to a cabin. With the decking being completed, it is time to raise the walls, install headers, rafters, ...

12/06/2023

Mo has been busy...new video coming out today!

12/01/2023

One of the challenges to living a self sufficient, self reliant lifestyle is raising animals. When we first arrived at our property, we had no idea there was a barn because if was covered in over grown weeds. The transformation has been incredible. Can you believe Mo rebuilt it mostly with pallets?!? We now have a warm, safe, strong place for our goats, chickens, rabbits and LGDs to live.

11/29/2023

Our first adventure, 11/29/2015, a weekend get away to NC. This is the weekend we decided to leave the rat race and start a journey together toward a life of self sufficiently and freedom.

11/28/2023

This was our first homestead in NC. The view is from our back porch looking toward the chicken coop and duck pen.

11/26/2023

I Built a Guest Cabin in OUR Woods (THE MOVIE)

Start to Finish Off Grid Cabin Build filmed over a period of 8 months, on our property in the Appalachian mountains of South Western Virginia. I started building this cabin on my 60th Birthday, at the beginning of January, and fully completed it in September 2023. We hope you enjoy this Full Build Start to Finish. In this video I show a simple and manageable way to build a cabin by yourself.

https://youtu.be/Jhize1v9OX4

- Start to Finish Off Grid Cabin Build filmed over a period of 8 months, on our property in the Appalachian mountains of South Western Virginia. ...

11/23/2023

We wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving ❤️

11/22/2023

Thank you Heavenly Father and Blessed Mother Nature for answering our prayers. Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain.

11/21/2023

Good new is that it has been raining all night long. Hopefully we will get enough to quench the fires along the mountain ridges. ⛰️ 🌧

11/20/2023

Latest update...a shift in the winds is now blowing the smoke south. We can definitely smell the fire and the sky has an eerie haze.

11/20/2023

Sauratown Mountain in North Carolina is on fire.

Bedford County Virginia made The National Desk news this morning. That fire has consumed 3700 acres.

Matt's Creek has grown to 7600 acres and is 15% contained. Making the air quality north of us is dangerous.

Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway have been closed for safety reasons.

The wildlife that should be fattening up for winter have been running for their lives instead.

Rain is expected Tuesday, 🙏

Everyone in the Appalachian, and Blue Ridge area be careful! Take the burn ban seriously. Be careful with ci******es or any flicker of fire! You don’t want to start a wildfire. Dangerous conditions. Thank God the Tuggles Gap fire here was put out. That fire could have threatened us and our town.

11/17/2023

The Blue Ridge is still on fire.... As of Thursday evening, the fire had grown to 3,600 acres, which is about the size of 2,727 football fields.

11/15/2023

https://youtu.be/fbNOeYMUCVM

Full dedicated review of the hiboy EX6 Ebike. Check out the links below! Black Friday Sale going on now! HUGE DISCOUNTS BELOW...

- Hiboy EX6 Step-thru: https://amzn.to/3FX1CFg
- Hiboy EX6 https://amzn.to/3ucY0MF

- Hiboy Website: https://www.hiboy.com/pages/sale

Full dedicated review of the hiboy EX6 Ebike. Check out the links below! Black Friday Sale going on now! HUGE DISCOUNTS BELOW...- Hiboy EX6 Step-thru: http...

11/13/2023

Please don't get mad at me because I get excited when you get home.
It's the best part of my day.
I only live 10-15 years so don't leave me alone for too long.
I don't have as much time as you do.
Don't stay cross with me all day.
You have work, family and friends.
I only have you.
Take care of me when I get old.
I'll be just as cute as when I was a puppy.
Remember, I love you and you are my everything. ❤

11/13/2023

Some old photos from our time living in Italy at our 5 acre homestead in Piemonte, Italy 2017 - 2021

11/11/2023

11/08/2023

Fires in the mountains around us. Praying our brave fire fighters are able to control it and stay safe.

11/03/2023

We just started the build of our 8' x 30' cabin addition which will include a deck, covered porch, and enclosed areas!

CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Y4MEBD6wP8U

Yet another off grid challenge... We just started the build of our 8' x 30' cabin addition which will include a deck, covered porch, and fully enclosed areas...

11/03/2023

Let's talk security. There are many different forms of personal secuirty and homestead/property security. In addition to our 2nd amendment rights, we have 2 LGDS, a few outdoor solar lights strategically mounted throughout and have fenced in a portion of our property.

While we do not live in a high crime area, we do live in a rural setting surrounded by mountains and woods which are home to lots of wild life, from deer, to foxes, to bears.

Security for us means being able to not only protect ourselves from human intruders, but also protecting our farm animals from predators.

About a month ago we installed motion sensor video cameras at both our cabins. It is a relief to know we can now check on things from the comfort of our home and even when on the road. We couldn't be happier with our decision to add these cameras to our property.

What are some challenges you face keeping yourself, your property and or animals safe?

11/02/2023

Our main cabin is getting a much need addition. We have finally started rebuilding the back deck. This much needed extension will add 240 sq ft to the Blue Cabin. Between both cabins we now have over 480 sq ft of outdoor living space and over 1000 sq ft of "under air" living space. We have gained so much with these builds...and there are more to come.

Yet another off grid challenge... We just started the build of our 8' x 30' cabin addition which will include a deck, covered porch, and fully enclosed areas...

11/02/2023

Yet another off grid challenge... We just started the build of our 8' x 30' cabin addition which will include a deck, covered porch, and fully enclosed areas!

Yet another off grid challenge... We just started the build of our 8' x 30' cabin addition which will include a deck, covered porch, and fully enclosed areas...

10/31/2023

The peak of Autumn colors in our area was two weeks ago. The colors were amazing. Then, we had a nice warm spell, an Indian Summer is what my Mom would have called it. Now, the rains are heading our way and temps are dropping. The warm air from the south is giving way to the cold northwestern air stream. We have started gathering and stacking wood from our woods. This will be our focus over the next few weeks.

Thankfully we are surrounded by woods and live in a temperate region. Hopefully, staying warm during the coming winter months shouldn't be a challenge.

10/29/2023

Cooper has been learning to stay within the fence. He is a good boy...

10/26/2023

On to the next project...unlike these three, Mo can't stay still.

10/18/2023

Our dry, off-grid, guest cabin in our back woods is finished! Mo always wanted to build a cabin, and when we moved to this property we knew we had to have one. After clearing a nice spot in our back woods, Mo pulled out the plans he drew while we were still in Italy and started this build on his 60th birthday. This guest cabin is just the first structure in our plans. We will be adding an outdoor summer kitchen, wash house and additional small buildings to complete our dream of an Off Grid compound where we, and our family, can relax and enjoy nature.

Here is a start to finish video of the build. I am so proud of Mo. He has built us an amazingly cozy retreat.

FULL BUILD of our 12' x 16' off grid cabin with a 12' x 20' deck using only a hammer and a few basic hand tools. This is a simple and manageable way to build...

10/14/2023

Master the joy of living. Take back your lives, live each day filled with wonder and awe, not time clocks and deadlines. Live free, start a revolution within yourself, and ask if this is how you should be living. Take a chance, make a difference, and DON'T GIVE UP. We only have one physical life, make the most of it. Don't get stuck in the herd. Stand out. Trust us, it is worth it. Going against the grain of society is not a struggle but a privilege. Live life, smell the flowers, bird watch, grow a garden, respect every living creature, love deeply the natural gifts of this world. Take nothing for granted. Be strong. Stand up for yourself, fight oppression. There are more of us than them. We believe we all can, we know we all should, and we hope we all will.

This is the challenge of life!

10/11/2023

Home Security is very important to us, for this reason we are very excited to review easy to install, affordable, Solar Security Cameras by Reolink. Choose between 4G or Wi-Fi connection. Simple installation!

- 4K Solar Camera series: https://reolink.com/lp/4k-battery-camera-series/?aff=20
Discount Coupon Code: ytbreo550

- https://www.youtube.com/

Home Security is very important to us, for this reason we are very excited to review easy to install, affordable, Solar Security Cameras by Reolink. Choose b...

10/10/2023

Big brother Winter knocked his little sister Autumn off her bicycle this past weekend. Temps dropped to the mid 30s. We know that is not nearly as cold as Wyoming, Montana or Canada, but for Southwestern Virgina it is. Thank goodness we have the wood stove installed in the cabin. That first fire was wonderful. The cabin stayed warm and cozy.

A big challenge for many people, whether attempting to live off grid or connected to the grid is staying warm in the colder months.

We have two wood burning stoves and a few electric heaters that we can plug into our power stations.

What do you use for heat? How efficient is it? If you burn wood, how many cords do you estimate you use? If you use propane, how many tanks do you go through? How many do you keep on hand as backup?

Staying warm during the winter is important. Living in the Piedmont Region of Italy for 4 years, going through blizzards, ice storms and polar vortex splits has taught us that you can never underestimate Winter...winter is coming, winter is always coming.

10/07/2023

https://youtu.be/64PZ-ZAsAdI

Installing the Chimney Stove Pipe and making our first small fire. We're very close to being finished with our 12' x 16' Cabin Build! Soon we will have a FUL...

09/27/2023

This is interesting. Did you know these even existed?

Right now in Fairystone Lake, giant gelatinous blobs resembling brains can be found attached to stationary objects in the water, using their tentacles to feed. These harmless slime balls are called magnificent bryozoan and have existed for 500 million years. Join a ranger on Sept. 26 at 3 p.m. to find out more about these alien snot balls in our backyard.
For more information and other weekend programming, please visit https://vasp.fun/3PuOFGT

09/27/2023

https://youtu.be/JbFbty86Mnk

Our new Cabin is getting a wood stove! - CABIN BUILD: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNnLVSwYIHO4nbTd5rUEfqvgTNXBgtiIs ...

Address

PO Box 1325
Stuart, VA
24171

Website

https://www.youtube.com/@cabinbuild

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Videos

Start to Finish of our 12' x 16' Off Grid Cabin in the woods, with a 12' x 20' deck using only a hammer and a few basic hand tools. This is a simple and manageable way to build a cabin by yourself.

off_grid_challenge's profile picture Start to Finish of our 12' x 16' Off Grid Cabin in the woods, with a 12' x 20' deck using only a hammer and a few basic hand tools. This is a simple and manageable way to build a cabin by yourself. > FULL VIDEO on our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@cabinbuild #cabinbuild #cabinbuilding #cabininthewoods #offgridcabin #offgridlife#offgridliving

Let's talk security. There are many different forms of personal secuirty and homestead/property security. In addition to our 2nd amendment rights, we have 2 LGDS, a few outdoor solar lights strategically mounted throughout and have fenced in a portion of our property. While we do not live in a high crime area, we do live in a rural setting surrounded by mountains and woods which are home to lots of wild life, from deer, to foxes, to bears. Security for us means being able to not only protect ourselves from human intruders, but also protecting our farm animals from predators. About a month ago we installed motion sensor video cameras at both our cabins. It is a relief to know we can now check on things from the comfort of our home and even when on the road. We couldn't be happier with our decision to add these cameras to our property. What are some challenges you face keeping yourself, your property and or animals safe?

Cooper has been learning to stay within the fence. He is a good boy...

Hello friends! It has been awhile since we shared an update on our off grid cabin build, and just wanted to get you all up to speed. We are now closing in on the completion of the cabin. We have installed tongue and groove, floors, and installed our front door, and have gotten a 2.5kw Solar Power Station for the cabin as well! Soon we will be doing our stone hearth and install the wood stove, but not before installing stairs to the deck as well as the railings. We hope you are all well, and stay focused on your goals to an off grid life. Mo & Pink ❤️

Tongue & Groove going up. The cabin is really coming together. #cabin #building #livefree #goals #cabininthewoods #buildyourdreams #offgrid #nevertooold #nevertoolate

One perk, or obstacle, when living in a rural area is technology can be glitchy. With that being said, here is a little clip of our Cabin build progress.

The Cabin build is temporarily on hold because it's time to start our new vegetable garden from scratch!

And..she gone...baby goat being silly #babygoats 😜

The birds are singing, like church bells ringing cause spring is here, yes spring is here. Soon there'll be flowers, so many flowers cause spring is here, yes spring is here. The days are longer and air is warmer cause spring is here, yes spring is here. Spring time in the mountains is wonderful. The Redbuds and Dogwoods are blooming, surrounding the property with pink and white flowers. Our little cabin in the woods is nestled amongst the trees waiting for the next phase of construction. It is so peaceful sitting on the deck listening to the birds sings and the trees dance in the wind. Our piece of paradise is coming to life. One would never know that just over two years ago this property had miunds of garbage everywhere and was overgrown from years of neglect. While we still have a few areas with piles of trash that needs to me removed, and brush to clear back, the progress we have made is almost unbelievable. Now when we look around at our land, it feels as though we are living in a park. The animals are all doing fantastic. Our barn still needs some renovation, the cottontail condo, milking station and possibly extending the run will be future projects. We are finalizing our food forest and garden layout and cannot wait to start planting. We have several walking paths planned to connect the cabins, garden and woods. Life is marvelous, simply marvelous. New video coming out today, we hope you join us on our adventure.

Baby goats are getting bigger each day. They go out in the run all by themselves, jump up and down the stairs, walk the plank and enjoy the bunk. The most precious thing is watching them play. Life is good.

We have moved Princess Bianca, the white LH bunny, from our entrance room into a cage in the barn with the other buns. While the cottontail condo is still under construction, her temporary housing seems to be working out just fine. Now all the buns can see each other. #rabbit #farmlife #homesteading

We took Reya to the vet to check the wound she sustained from the tranquilizer dart. While it didn't seem infected, in an abundance of caution he prescribed antibiotics, a disinfectant shampoo and ointment. She had a cone on for all of 10 minutes before she chewed the thing off. We also are keeping her separated from Cooper. Being seperated will help her heal quicker. Cooper is not happy being away from her, but we must do what is best for Reya. For those of you interested in seeing what the tranquilizer dart wound looks like, a picture is in the comments. WARNING...some people may find the image distrubing. Share in our adventure and follow our journey as we work toward living off grid, being more self reliant and self sufficient. Off Grid Life Over 50 and Blue Cabin Homestead . Peace, Health and Happiness! #offgridlife #selfsufficient #selfreliant #cabininthewoods #offgridlifeover50 #livingthedream #goals #homesteading #farmstead #happylife #LGD #greatpyrenees #bluecabinhomestead

Violets kidded triplets last Sunday evening. Two doelings and a little bucky. Sticking to floral names for our girls, the brown girl is Lilly and the white girl is Ivy. The little boy is blackeyed Pete. They are all doing well. However, to help Violet not feel overwhelmed, we have been providing supplemental bottle feedings. After a shopping spree at the local animal feed store, we have everything we need to make sure they are all nutrionally healthy and gain weight appropriately. Our herd is now 8 strong. We still want to add a few does in the future to add diversity. Don't mind Billy whining in the background. He wants to be a goat. 😆

Our off grid cabin build is moving along. Each day the weather is on our side, is one step closer to our dream.

Billy learning tricks.

I've received 2,000 reactions to my posts in the past 30 days. Thanks for your support. 🙏🤗🎉 Thank you all for following our journey!

It has been a productive week here on our little homestead. We have had a mix of rain, cold air and sunshine. Can't wait to share the progress. Don't forget to follow our journey on YouTube and Instagram!

Happy Sunday! Time to get out and play!

Happy Thanksgiving friends! Peace, love & happiness! #babygoats #thankful #blessed #life #nature #farmlife

Goating around...baby goats 🐐

Life is precious, and inside our bubble the world is wonderful. There are no wars,, no famine, no pestilence; just love, happiness and peace. Everything is blooming and growing. Temps are rising and Spring has definitely sprung. She has set the table and awaits the arrival of Summer. The transition of Spring to Summer is often over looked. I love the various shades of green amongst the tree leaves...we have our own Emerald City...,the increased song birds, butterflies and bees flying around...pollinators are always welcome...warm breezes and sun showers...ahh, live is grand. We are blessed and grateful. The Creator of All that is Seen and Unseen has shined Grace upon us. Inside our bubble the world is wonderful. Our ittle kids love morning exercise, while the adults go out to eat, these little ones stay back and play. Normally the adults are on the top bunk and so they take the mornings and goat around. So entertaining.