Our DIY 8k Solar System â Powering Life Off-Grid
Weâve officially taken a big step forward in our off-grid journey â building our own **8k solar system** from the ground up! It might not look perfect (yes, the boards arenât exactly straight, but they were the best we could find at Home Depot đ
), but it works, and thatâs what matters most when youâre living sustainably.
## The Build
This DIY solar setup is an **8k, 48-volt system** charging **12 x 250ah AGM batteries**. Weâve programmed the system to shut down at **51%** to protect and extend the life of the batteries. Right now, this powerhouse is running our **Greenroom, Music Studio, and RV** â and itâs holding strong.
## Why DIY Solar?
Going off-grid isnât about perfection; itâs about independence and resilience. By building this system ourselves, we saved money, learned valuable skills, and created something that truly supports our way of life in the desert. The boards may not be perfect, but the energy they capture is clean, renewable, and ours to use.
## Whatâs Next
Alongside this 8k system, weâre working on building a **5k setup** dedicated to running just our RV. Having separate systems will give us even more flexibility and efficiency in how we manage power across our property.
## Off-Grid Living, Powered by the Sun
Our solar project proves that you donât need a professional crew or a flawless build to harness the power of the sun. What you need is determination, creativity, and the willingness to get your hands dirty. Each day, our panels soak up desert sunlight and transform it into the power that fuels our music, our home, and our dreams.
đ⥠**Living off-grid isnât about perfection â itâs about progress. And every watt brings us one step closer.** âĄđ
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#DIYSolarPower #OffGridLiving #SolarEnergy #SustainableLife #RenewableRevolution
Author: Ka-Hoon Campground
The Desert Comes Alive đ”âš Inspiring Nights at Ka-Hoon Campground You Have to See!
Finding Inspiration at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center
**âOut here in the desert, the silence becomes music, the stars become light, and every night is a story waiting to be written.â**
At **Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center**, inspiration is found in every direction. Nestled on the West Mesa of New Mexico, our campground offers more than just a place to stayâit offers an escape from the noise of everyday life and a chance to reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with others who share the same love for the desert sky.
## Why the Desert Inspires
The desert holds a unique kind of magic. The wide-open spaces create room for reflection, while the endless horizon reminds us that thereâs always more to explore. At night, the stars blanket the sky, brighter than most people have ever seen. Itâs in these momentsâwhen the world slows downâthat inspiration flows freely.
## A Place for Community and Creativity
Ka-Hoon Campground is more than a destinationâitâs a gathering place. From **live music nights** with Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band, to **karaoke, talent shows, and seasonal celebrations**, every event is crafted to bring people together. Campers find joy not just in the activities, but in the sense of belonging that grows around the campfire.
## Events that Spark the Spirit
Although we will **not be hosting the Hootenanny this year due to health reasons**, Ka-Hoon remains a space where creativity and community thrive. Our calendar still includes music, gatherings, and special camping experiences that keep the spirit of celebration alive.
## Escape, Relax, and Be Inspired
In todayâs fast-paced world, finding stillness is rare. Ka-Hoon Campground offers that stillnessâwhether youâre camping under the stars, joining in laughter during karaoke, or simply watching the desert sunset paint the horizon.
Every visit is more than just a getaway; itâs a chance to find a little piece of yourself again.
## Plan Your Visit
Come see why so many leave Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center not just refreshed, but inspired. Whether youâre here for a night of live music, a weekend of camping, or one of our unique community events, youâll leave with memories that last a lifetime.
đ”âš **Ka-Hoon Campground: Where the desert speaks, and the stars tell stories.** âšđ”
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#DesertInspiration #KaHoonCampground #StarryNights #CampfireCommunity #FindYourEscape
Living Off-Grid in the Desert đ” | Why We Host a University Weather Tower at Ka-Hoon Campground
Living Off-Grid in the Desert: Why We Host a Weather Tower đ”âĄ
Out here in the New Mexico desert, weather isnât just small talkâitâs survival. When you live off-grid at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center, knowing when storms are rolling in or how strong the winds will get can make the difference between a calm night and a dangerous one.
Thatâs why we were more than happy when the University of New Mexico approached us about installing a **weather tower** on our property. Reliable local weather information has always been scarce on the mesa, so hosting this tower has been a huge step forward for our community.
### Why the Weather Tower Matters
The tower collects real-time data on temperature, wind, rainfall, and more. This isnât just useful for usâitâs open for everyone! Whether youâre another off-grid homesteader, a camper planning a weekend with us, or just someone curious about desert conditions, the tower makes accurate weather data accessible to all.
### How to Access the Data
If youâd like to see the weather conditions here in real time, you can check the towerâs reports online. Itâs listed under **Abeytas** on the New Mexico State University site.
đhttps://weather.nmsu.edu/ziamet/station/scvegu/
### Life Off-Grid and Community Connection
Living off-grid means adapting, respecting the land, and finding new ways to stay connected. Hosting this weather tower is just one more way weâre blending independence with community support. It helps us stay safe, plan events at the campground, and share the desert lifestyle with friends near and far.
At Ka-Hoon Campground, weâre not just living in the desertâweâre building something unique. From music with **Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band** đ¶ to special events, camping experiences, and now live weather updates, every part of life here connects back to community and creativity.
Off-Grid Desert Nights đ Live Music, Campfires & Magic at Ka-Hoon Campground đ¶đ„
Living Free at Ka-Hoon Campground & Event Center in the Highland Deserts of New Mexico
Living off-grid and running a **campground and event center in the highland deserts of New Mexico** is more than just a dreamâitâs a lifestyle. At **Ka-Hoon Campground & Event Center**, we wanted to create a place where people can truly be themselves, free from ridicule or judgment.
Our campground is designed with choice in mind. Do you want privacy and quiet time under the desert sky? Or would you rather socialize and connect with other campers around a fire, watch a movie under the stars, or enjoy live music and the **Advocatus Diaboli livestream show**? The choice is always yours.
Unlike a commune, we are a **campground for all kinds of stays**âwhether youâre here for a short visit or a long-term adventure. The only rule we live by is respect:
* Respect for yourself
* Respect for others
* Respect for nature
* Respect for the laws we all live under
No work is required, no commitments are expected, and no one is tied down. Here, you are free to be yourself, to breathe, and to enjoy the beauty of the New Mexico desert.
If youâre looking for a place that blends **off-grid camping, community events, campfire nights, outdoor movies, live music, and the freedom to choose your own experience**, Ka-Hoon Campground is waiting for you.
Unbelievable Desert Sunsets Youâll Only Experience at Ka-Hoon Campground ï âš
Out here at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center, every evening feels like magic when the desert sky explodes with color. đ
Our sunsets arenât just breathtaking viewsâtheyâre moments of reflection, peace, and inspiration. Watching the sun fade behind the mesa reminds us that endings can be just as beautiful as new beginnings.
Whether youâre camping under the stars, joining us for live music, or simply enjoying the quiet desert landscape, sunsets at Ka-Hoon create memories youâll never forget. Escape the noise, find your calm, and discover why so many visitors say our sunsets are life-changing. âš
Come experience the beauty for yourself at Plateau Hame de ColquhounâKa-Hoon Campground and Event Centerâwhere every evening sky tells a story.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#SunsetVibes đ
#DesertEscape đïž
#KaHoonCampground âș
#NatureInspiration âš
#OffGridLiving đ
Are 4 Dogs a Sign of Poverty or True Wealth? Living Rich Without Money in the Desert đ”đŸ
True Wealth Isnât Money â Itâs Living Fully
My dad always said, *âYou can tell how poor someone is by the number of dogs they have.â* Well, here we are again with four dogs. Does that make us really poor? Financially, sureâweâre not rich by any means. But if I could live without money, Iâd be perfectly happy.
The truth is, how much money you do or donât have doesnât define your wealth. A rich man can be poor in spirit, unhappy in life, and never truly free. On the other hand, someone with very little money can live a life overflowing with joy, love, and meaning.
For me, real wealth is found in living the life weâve built out here in the desert. We created our land so people from all walks of life can come together, feel safe, and simply be themselves. Itâs a place to laugh, to connect, to meet new friends, and to escape the pressure of the outside world.
That, my friends, is wealth. Not in a bank accountâbut in the heart, in the connections we share, and in the freedom to live authentically.
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#LifeOfWealth #DogsOfTikTok #SimpleLiving #DesertLife #TrueRiches
Cows Wonât Stop Ringing Our Doorbell?! đđ You Wonât Believe Why Theyâre Obsessed!
Why are the free-range cattle obsessed with our @Blink doorbell? đ€ They keep ringing it, trying to eat it, and even find it when we move it! Maybe they just want their 15 minutes of fame đđžđ
:
#FunnyAnimals #CountryLife #CaughtOnCamera #FarmLifeHumor #ViralCows
We Introduced Our Reactive Dog to a New Adult Dog⊠You Wonât Believe How It Went! đ¶â€ïž
Meet Lurch: A New Addition to Our Off-Grid Family
Meet Lurch, the newest member of our off-grid family. Lurch was originally known as Tippy, but he never responded to that name with us. Strangely enough, he instantly answered to Lurch, and it stuck.
Lurch was my dadâs dog. With my dadâs health declining and him needing to move into a care home for additional help, we suddenly faced the reality that Lurch needed a new home. At first, we didnât step forward, mostly because we werenât sure how Dreugan, our reactive and anxious dog, would handle having an unfamiliar adult male dog in the pack. After every other rehoming option fell through, we decided to give it a try â carefully and slowly.
When we first walked Dreugan up to Lurchâs pen, Dreugan wasnât calm, but what gave me hope was that Lurch showed no aggression. That was an important sign. Since Dreugan struggles with anxiety and can be reactive around unfamiliar dogs, we knew this introduction would need to be taken step by step.
Before allowing them loose together, we walked Lurch and Dreugan side by side on leashes several times. This helped them adjust to each otherâs presence without any pressure. On our road trip home, we kept Lurch in an enclosed crate in the car so Dreugan had no choice but to share space with him, while still keeping Lurch safe. At first, we stopped and walked them separately. With each stop, we brought them closer together until they were comfortable walking near one another.
Eventually, at a stop with a dog park, we let Lurch and our two girls off leash while I kept Dreugan leashed. Things went smoothly. After more practice walks together, we reached the point where we felt confident letting them all loose together in a pen. To our relief, everything went well.
Dreugan is protective of me, so Iâve been careful not to give Lurch attention around him too quickly. Today was a big milestone â the first time Dreugan saw me pet Lurch when I put his new collar on. Instead of reacting, Dreugan simply laid in his spot and watched.
Itâs still early, and weâre taking it slow, but so far the progress has been encouraging. Lurch is finding his place in the family, and weâre hopeful this careful introduction will lead to a strong bond in our off-grid pack.
Learn more about us
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
#OffGridLife #DogIntroduction #ReactiveDog #NewDog #DogPack
Unexpected Surprise on Our Trip to See Dad | Family, Camping & a Journey We Didnât Plan
A Visit Home: Family, Camping, and an Unexpected Surprise
Sometimes life takes us on trips we didnât plan. Recently, we made a journey back home to see my dad after his health had declined. It wasnât the kind of trip you circle on the calendar months in advance, but one that life insists you take. Our main priority was spending time with Dad and Mom, making the most of every moment we had together.
Because of the circumstances, we didnât have much time to connect with friends. Still, we were grateful to see a few familiar faces along the way. Even brief visits meant a lot during a trip centered on family and health.
One silver lining was being able to enjoy some camping while we were there. After living among the desert sands of New Mexico, it was refreshing to set up camp in a different landscape. Even just a short break surrounded by new scenery gave us a little peace in the middle of an emotional journey.
And as life often works, the trip brought us more than we expected. While we came for family, we also left with an **unexpected surprise** that added a new chapter to our story. Sometimes the hardest journeys carry hidden blessings you never saw coming.
### Takeaway
Trips like this remind us that family comes first. Even when time is short and plans donât go as expected, the moments sharedâand the surprises along the wayâare what make the journey meaningful.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#FamilyFirst #LifeUnexpected #CampingTrip #CherishedMoments #DesertEscape
We Left the Desert Behind⊠Road Trip to MN with Family Health on Our Minds đđđ”
A Busy Week, Family Time, and Campground Updates
This past week has been a whirlwind. My dadâs health hasnât been great, so we made the trip to Minnesota to spend some much-needed time with my parents â and to take a little breather along the way.
For our campground guests and community, no worries â **Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center** is still open! Weâre incredibly fortunate to have a wonderful friend who flew in to help hold down the fort, along with a couple of amazing neighbors keeping an eye on things. Their generosity and support mean the world to us, and we want to say a huge **thank you** to each of them!
Even when life gets hectic, the beauty of the desert and the warmth of our community remind us why we love what we do.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#RoadTripVibes
#FamilyFirst
#DesertCampground
#TravelLife
#GratefulHeart
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 