Desert Life Update: Shower Progress, Greywater Plans & Desert Heat Challenges**
The desert heat has been relentless lately, and it’s definitely slowed down our momentum — but progress is still happening here at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun!
We recently installed the **on-demand water heater** in the outdoor shower. It was a quicker project than expected, thanks to Brent gaining back his strength. What would’ve taken Anne and me a full day was done in just about an hour with Brent handling the drilling and planning.
That said, we hit a small snag — we’re still missing the proper parts to connect the water hoses to the IBC tote. We’ve got plenty of fittings, but of course, the threads don’t match. So now we’re waiting on our next trip into town to grab the right ones.
### Next Step: Fixing the Shower Drain
Our next focus is the shower **drain system**. What we had originally planned — and even have all the parts for — isn’t working quite the way we hoped. The drain cap currently sticks up about half an inch above the floor. Not only will that cause drainage issues, but it’s also a perfect toe-stubber in the making.
So, the new plan is to use a **larger hole saw** to widen the existing drain hole. We’ll take apart the pre-assembled drain, and (fingers crossed) get it installed flush with the floor. Building something from scratch — especially when it’s not based on traditional blueprints — comes with a fair amount of trial and error. But we’re figuring it out as we go, and we *will* prevail.
### Looking Ahead: Greywater & Future Plans
Once the water is flowing and the on-demand heater is fully functional, we’ll move on to the **greywater system**. The plan is for the shower water to drain into a buried IBC tote, where we’ll **reuse it for plants** around the camp.
Eventually, I’d love to create a more advanced setup — routing the greywater through a **worm bed**, into a **hydro garden**, and finally into a **recycled water container** for later use. But we’re not quite ready for that yet. A system like that needs sun protection to keep the worms alive, and we’ve got other priorities first.
### What’s Next on the Build List:
* Construct **walls around the shower** to create a private dressing area
* Use **pallets and garden posts** to build the dressing area structure
* Create space nearby for a **washing machine hookup**
* Finish building out our **solar system** — we *hopefully* have everything we need for it, we just need a stretch of good weather, good health, and available time to get it done
Out here, building off-grid isn’t always easy — but it’s rewarding. The process may be slower than we’d like (especially under this sun), but each step gets us closer to a self-sustaining desert homestead.
Thanks for following along — more updates coming soon!
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#offgridliving, #desertlife, #sustainableliving, #diyprojects, #homesteadlife, #waterrecycling, #ecofriendlybuild, #solarsetup, #showerrenovation, #greywatersystem, #campgroundlife, #tinyhomeprogress, #resilientliving, #deserthomestead, #plateauhamedecolquhoun
Tag: desert homestead
Almost Gave Up on This Off-Grid Shower Build… But We Pushed Through! 💪🛠️
🌦️ Rainy Desert Days & A Shower Build Full of Lessons
DIY Life at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun
It’s been a stretch of cloudy, rainy, and warm days here on the New Mexico desert — and despite the gloomy skies, we’ve been pushing forward with our off-grid shower build at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun.
The main structure is now complete! We still need to install the on-demand water heater, finish the drainage system, and run the water hoses — but we’re close. The only thing holding us back now is gathering a few more supplies.
This build hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing — not because it was technically complex, but because of our learning curve with tools and miscommunications during the process. With Brent still recovering from multiple strokes and carotid artery surgery, he’s limited to using only one good arm. That means our teamwork has been more important than ever — and sometimes, a bit chaotic.
While Anne and I were finishing up the door, I broke three drill bits and stripped out more screw heads than I care to admit. Frustrated, Brent stepped in to help. Despite only having the use of one arm, he drilled the holes and put in the screws like it was nothing. Honestly, it was inspiring to watch — he made it look effortless. But it came with a cost. His bad arm, hand, and shoulder swelled up afterward. Thankfully, the swelling had gone down by the next morning. It was a reminder of both how far he’s come in recovery and how important it is to pace ourselves.
Just a few weeks ago, he couldn’t even hold a drill. And now? He’s back to problem-solving and building — one-handed and determined. We’ll be wrapping up the final plumbing parts soon and will share the full off-grid shower reveal once everything’s running!
Thanks for following along with our journey — from stroke recovery and DIY struggles to homestead progress and desert storms.
Stay weird & wild,
\~The Ka-Hoon Crew
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving, #DesertLife, #DIYShowerBuild, #StrokeRecovery, #OneHandedBuilder, #KaHoonLife, #HomesteadProjects, #LivingOffGrid, #SurvivorSpirit, #DesertRain, #RecoveryJourney, #AnimatronicLife, #BuildingWithLove, #InspirationInTheDesert, #TinyLivingBigHeart
Discover the Freedom of Off-Grid Living: Membership Open at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun!
**Life at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun: A Busy Season Ahead**
Things have been bustling here at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun, and while progress on building projects has slowed, it’s for good reason. Between running Anne to work, welcoming a few new members to our **off-grid membership program**, and preparing for upcoming gigs with Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band, we’ve had our hands full!
The membership program has been gaining traction, offering people the opportunity to experience off-grid living, set up a base camp, or start a homestead in the serene New Mexico desert. With a few members already settled in and new campers arriving, the community is steadily growing.
Our band has also been keeping us busy. With gigs on the horizon, we’re dedicating much of our time to rehearsing and fine-tuning performances to ensure every show delivers a unique and memorable experience.
### Explore Off-Grid Living and Camping Opportunities
If you’re interested in exploring off-grid living, **our membership program** might be just what you’re looking for. It’s a fantastic way to experience this lifestyle without the commitment of purchasing land. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful camping spot or a chance to join a supportive community, we have options for you.
To learn more about our membership program, camping opportunities, or to keep up with what’s happening at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun, visit our website:
**[www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com](http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com)**
We look forward to welcoming more like-minded adventurers to our off-grid community!
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#OffGridLiving #DesertCamping #VanLifeCommunity #Homesteading #SustainableLiving #NatureEscape #CampgroundLife #SimpleLiving #EcoFriendlyLifestyle #StarryNights #RuralRetreat #FreedomLifestyle #DesertHomestead #CommunityLiving #ReconnectWithNature
Dreugan’s Journey: From Rescue Pup to Loyal Protector | Life at Ka-Hoon Campground & Plateau Hame
**Dreugan’s Story: Our Lovable Protector with a Gentle Heart**
Dreugan may look intimidating, but beneath that tough exterior lies a sensitive soul who’s deeply connected to our emotions. He’s fiercely loyal and protective of our family, especially me, yet he’s surprisingly gentle and perceptive. Whenever another dog misbehaves, he’ll climb on top of me, as if trying to communicate what happened. This has been especially helpful as Weillow, our older dog, has started showing signs of doggy dementia, sometimes having accidents indoors. Dreugan has become our gentle alarm, alerting us to these moments with compassion.
We found Dreugan when he was just four weeks old. Someone posted a litter of puppies for sale, and though we hadn’t planned on adopting, we felt drawn to these little pups. When we arrived, only two puppies remained. One approached us eagerly, but the other hid, clearly frightened. While the first seemed friendly and easygoing, the one hiding—Dreugan—was anxious and unsure. He nipped at people, clearly in distress, and I knew in that moment he needed us.
Raising Dreugan hasn’t been easy. He’s a 3/4 Husky and 1/4 Rottweiler, a mix that brings out his strength and independence. He’s broken my finger, given me rope burns, and had his share of stressful moments, especially around other dogs he doesn’t know. But with patience, reassurance, and a lot of love, he’s grown into a wonderful companion. Although he doesn’t show affection in typical ways and sometimes acts indifferent, he also sneaks in moments of softness—like cuddling with our new puppy, Vibria, when he thinks no one’s watching.
We may have unknowingly supported backyard breeding by adopting him, but we’re thankful he came into our lives. Dreugan is proof that even the toughest-looking dogs can be big-hearted protectors, bringing out the best in all of us.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#KaHoonCampground, #PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #RescueDog, #HuskyMix, #ProtectiveDog, #DogAdoption, #DoggyDementia, #DesertLife, #OffGridCommunity, #LoyalCompanion, #HomesteadLife, #NewMexicoLiving, #CampgroundLife, #DogStories, #DesertHomestead
Unforgettable Weekend: Advocatus Diaboli Live & Rangoli Celebration at Ka-Hoon Campground!
**Embracing Community and Celebrations at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun (Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center)**
It’s been a whirlwind weekend here at Ka-hoon Campground and Event Center! Last Friday, Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band rocked Albuquerque, keeping us out until the early hours of the morning. We returned home around 3:30 a.m., knowing we had just a few hours of sleep before getting everything ready for our much-anticipated Rangoli celebration.
Despite the exhaustion, we managed to unload the trailer, prep the firepit, and kick off another memorable Rangoli. This event, where we gather to draw our intentions around the fire, dance, walk, and stomp them into the ground, always brings our community together in a meaningful way. Though we thought our tiredness would cut the evening short, the energy of the Rangoli kept us going until midnight, longer than we’d expected!
Are you interested in joining a like-minded community in the New Mexico desert, with endless skies and stunning views? At Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center, we’re more than a campground; we’re building a homesteading community that lives off-grid and supports one another. With our **Membership Program**, you can set up your own homestead, enjoy exclusive events, and truly be a part of something unique.
Join us, and become part of our growing community! For more details, visit our
https://plateauhamedecolquhoun.com/membership
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#KaHoonCampground #PlateauHameDeColquhoun #NewMexicoLiving #DesertHomestead #OffGridLife #CommunityEvents #AdvocatusDiaboli #GrimLeaferBand #RangoliCelebration #DesertViews #OffGridCommunity #HomesteadingLife #NewMexicoDesert #JoinOurCommunity #CampgroundLife
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 