Homesteading With Michael David Part 5

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More About Our Area

That is a shot from the road out front.

That is the color of the average summer. Tan.

Everything dies and turns brown except the trees usually by may or June.

Oddly enough it did snow across the way here on June 19th this year. Kinda crazy since it's usually triple digits by now.

Homesteading a piece of land in an area like this is tough and rewarding.

It's tough because I mean, c'mon... look at the place.

If you've got enough money to drill to china to get water you're all good.

Couple 20k usd or so ought get you mighty close at least.

But wait, getting approved for the well requires a building permit... almost forgot.

Now you've locked yourself in with the county following their rules until you're out of money with nothing but a foundation and a well, wondering why they won't progress your paperwork.

When you're this far out it's a bit lawless.

People don't really pay attention to things like structural codes.

The lady at the county office when I did go in said 3 times in the short while I was there that in my valley, there was lots of illegal things going on. They have sort of given up on the place.

Seems like it's been home to hooligans' and delinquents for generations at this point.

When I go into town and someone asks where we live and I tell them the valley...

It's like watching a really modern version of a wild west movie just before a duel or bar fight.

You can hear the whistle of silence...

Most of them say they are afraid to go out here. Then look at us like we're crazy for trying to live out here.

I like that.

I like that so many locals are afraid to go out to my valley.

Keeps it really quite so I can think.

Lawless

So the old sheriff, not sure about this punk they got now that was denying people water when he first got in, used to tell people that if you've got a break in or whatever... shoot the bastard. Just make sure he's dead when I get there.

Because he knew that even if he jumped in the car and flew like hell to get here they are 45 minutes out.

There ain't no callin' in for emergencies when time is of the essence here. You literally have to take care of shit on your own.

We have some thieves that roam the valley. They come from all over and it seems like they have been for at least 2 generations.

Properties get abandoned.

People buy them cause they are cheap, use them for "whatever" then split, for good. When they do they leave shit all over the damn place. Useful shit, trash, shit.

People also commandeer them.

They will start squatting on a place they don't own. Even go so far as put up fence and no trespassing signs like a real owner lol. But they don't own it. They will use it up for the summer and split. Leaving tons of shit everywhere.

So people raid properties. Not like with guns while you're there, they raid properties out here and steal what they can. Often not being caught because for generations now people have been foraging these abandoned properties for useful stuff. So people are pretty used to other people "cleaning up" abandoned properties.

So what does all of this have to do with homesteading?

Nothing on the surface.

Yet, I'm trying to paint a picture of something very real.

Homesteading is not glimmer and good food.

It's hard work, patience, and some back woods street smarts.

This particular type of area lends well to some of the things about homesteading like living off grid for example because the county isn't really coming to fuck with you.

It also makes you not want to leave your property for to long because it could get raided.

Choosing a property that fits you and what you can or want to handle is important.

I rushed and got a place truly lawless. Personally I'm ok with that. You may not be.

So the first step of a homestead is to be sure the piece of land you intend to homestead works for you, your character, your patience maybe, whatever.

Thanks for reading

Homesteading With Michael David Part 5 | More About Our Area
by Michael David
Co-founder of #thealliance and loyal since before the egg.