Caught on Camera: Our First Months Off-Grid and an Unexpected Visitor!
When we first moved to the desert, every day was a new challenge ā and a lesson in staying prepared. During our early months at **Plateau Hame de Colquhoun (Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center)**, we installed a security camera before heading into town, knowing that trips werenāt quick and our belongings were left vulnerable.
Not long after, that camera paid off. We caught a visitor on video trying to walk off with something that didnāt belong to them! Thankfully, we had chained the axles of our trailer, and it was empty at the time ā that same trailer later became what we now call **The Hut**, our compost toilet.
It was one of those off-grid moments that reminds you why preparation matters. Every experience ā even the tough ones ā helped shape who we are today.
Now, as we celebrate **five years off-grid**, we invite you to join us for our **5th Anniversary Open Mic Night** on **Saturday, October 18th**. Come in person, stay for a night or a weekend, or tune in live from home on our **Colquhoun Entertainment TikTok** profile.
Life off-grid isnāt always easy ā but every story, every lesson, and every bit of resilience makes it worth it.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving #DesertLife #KaHoonCampground #TinyLiving #OpenMicNight
Tag: desert homestead
Our Last Visit Before Moving Off-Grid | Starting Life on 5 Acres in New Mexico!
From Dreams to Reality: Our Last Visit to the Land Before Moving to New Mexico
Back in January 2020, we purchased our 5 acres of land here in New Mexico. At that time, we knew the journey wasnāt overāwe still had to return to Minnesota, finish working at the center for the summer, pack up our lives, and prepare for the big move.
This video from our vault captures our very last visit to the property before heading back north. Looking back now, itās fascinating to see the land before anything was set up, before the campground and event center, before the community that has grown around Ka-Hoon.
In the video, we mention the mountains in the areaābut since then, weāve learned we were mistaken about which ones we were looking at. Itās a reminder that this whole adventure has been a learning experience, step by step.
Throughout October, weāre sharing more of these āvaultā videos, each one a snapshot of our journey. Some are from before we made the move, and some from after. Itās our way of showing the progress, the challenges, and the growth that brought us to where we are today.
Whether youāve been following our journey from the beginning or just discovered us now, we invite you to join us each day as we share more from our archive. And if youād like to see where we are today, make sure to follow our TikTok livestreams, YouTube channel, and check out our website for camping and event info.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
#offgridliving #newmexicolife #FromTheVault #offgrid #ourjourney
Thinking of Going Off-Grid? Watch Our Live Morning Streams & Learn the Truth About Homestead Life!
Thinking of Living Off-Grid? Join Our Daily Livestreams
Have you ever dreamed of living **off-grid**? Wondering what it really takes to step away from the hustle of modern life and create a lifestyle built around **self-reliance, sustainability, and freedom**?
Every morning on **Colquhoun Entertainment**, we go live to share our real experiences of **off-grid living in New Mexico**. We cover the ups and downs, what has worked for us, and what hasnātābecause no journey is perfect, and sometimes the hardest lessons are the most valuable.
Topics we dive into include:
* **Buying and finding land** that truly fits your needs.
* **Dealing with land brokers** and what to watch out for.
* Understanding the realities of climate, resources, and costs.
* The difference between ādreamingā of off-grid life and actually living it.
* Why we always recommend **trying it out before you invest everything**.
Whether youāre just curious or already planning your move, these livestreams give you a raw, honest look at what itās like to live off-gridādirectly from people who are doing it every day.
š Tune in, ask questions, and be part of the conversation. Living off-grid isnāt for everyone, but if it calls to you, weāll help you prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving
#HomesteadLife
#SustainableLiving
#DesertLife
#ColquhounEntertainment
Why We Left Minnesota for the Desert šµ | Building Our Off-Grid Campground & Event Center Dream
Why We Chose New Mexico Over Minnesota for Our Campground and Event Center
When most people think of camping, they picture short seasonal getaways. In Minnesota, thatās exactly what we facedāa very limited camping season thanks to the long, cold winters. After spending time in New Mexico for seasonal work, we realized this desert landscape could offer something completely different: **year-round camping, events, and off-grid living.**
We started searching for the right property. A few pieces of land didnāt quite fit, but then we found one that checked every box: close enough to a major city for convenience, yet far enough away to enjoy peace, privacy, and open skies. Even better, the cost of this New Mexico property allowed us to purchase land and still have enough left over to start setting up right away.
Had we chosen the Minnesota property, we would have only been able to put down a mortgageāleaving nothing left to build our dream. Instead, New Mexico gave us freedom: to build, to host events, and to welcome campers all year long.
Thatās how **Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center** was bornāa place where community, creativity, and camping come together under the desert stars.
We Built an Off-Grid Shower With 3 IBC Totes! šæ Reusing Water to Grow Trees in the Harsh Desert šµ
Building Our Off-Grid Shower: Sustainable Living in the Harsh Desert
This summer, we took another big step toward sustainable off-grid living by building our own **off-grid shower system**. The setup uses three IBC totes ā one buried in the ground and two for the shower itself. The design allows the shower to **drain directly into the buried tote**, creating a graywater recycling system we can later use to **water trees and plants** around our homestead.
Living off-grid means every project has to serve more than one purpose, and this shower does just that ā providing comfort while also helping us prepare for future growth on our land.
Our next step is researching the best **drought-tolerant trees and plants** that can survive in our extreme New Mexico climate. Out here, we face it all:
* **High winds** ļ¬ļø
* **Sandstorms** ļŖļø
* **Snow and single-digit winters** āļø
* **Triple-digit summer heat** ļ„
* **Intense UV exposure** āļø
We want to choose wisely so that the water from our shower doesnāt go to waste but instead helps create shade, windbreaks, and food sources for the future.
This project reminds us that **off-grid living isnāt about perfection ā itās about creativity, resilience, and finding ways to work with nature instead of against it.**
Stay tuned as we share updates on which trees and plants we decide to grow, and how our off-grid shower continues to play a role in making this desert homestead thrive.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#offgrid #Homestead #DIYProject #SustainableLiving #shower
Desert Shower Upgrade Hits a Snag ā But Weāre Not Giving Up! šŖšµ
Desert Life Update: Shower Progress, Greywater Plans & Desert Heat Challenges**
The desert heat has been relentless lately, and itās definitely slowed down our momentum ā 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 wouldāve 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 ā weāre still missing the proper parts to connect the water hoses to the IBC tote. Weāve got plenty of fittings, but of course, the threads donāt match. So now weāre 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 ā and even have all the parts for ā isnāt 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 itās 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. Weāll take apart the pre-assembled drain, and (fingers crossed) get it installed flush with the floor. Building something from scratch ā especially when itās not based on traditional blueprints ā comes with a fair amount of trial and error. But weāre 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, weāll move on to the **greywater system**. The plan is for the shower water to drain into a buried IBC tote, where weāll **reuse it for plants** around the camp.
Eventually, Iād love to create a more advanced setup ā routing the greywater through a **worm bed**, into a **hydro garden**, and finally into a **recycled water container** for later use. But weāre not quite ready for that yet. A system like that needs sun protection to keep the worms alive, and weāve got other priorities first.
### Whatās 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** ā 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 isnāt always easy ā but itās rewarding. The process may be slower than weād like (especially under this sun), but each step gets us closer to a self-sustaining desert homestead.
Thanks for following along ā 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
Almost Gave Up on This Off-Grid Shower Buildā¦ But We Pushed Through! šŖš ļø
š¦ļøāÆRainy Desert Days & A Shower Build Full of Lessons
DIY Life at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun
Itās been a stretch of cloudy, rainy, and warm days here on the New Mexico desert ā and despite the gloomy skies, weāve 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 ā but we’re close. The only thing holding us back now is gathering a few more supplies.
This build hasnāt exactly been smooth sailing ā 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 ā 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 ā 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 heās come in recovery and how important it is to pace ourselves.
Just a few weeks ago, he couldnāt even hold a drill. And now? Heās back to problem-solving and building ā one-handed and determined. Weāll be wrapping up the final plumbing parts soon and will share the full off-grid shower reveal once everythingās running!
Thanks for following along with our journey ā 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, itās 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, weāve 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, weāre 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 youāre interested in exploring off-grid living, **our membership program** might be just what youāre looking for. Itās a fantastic way to experience this lifestyle without the commitment of purchasing land. Whether youāre 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 whatās 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
**Dreuganās Story: Our Lovable Protector with a Gentle Heart**
Dreugan may look intimidating, but beneath that tough exterior lies a sensitive soul whoās deeply connected to our emotions. Heās fiercely loyal and protective of our family, especially me, yet heās surprisingly gentle and perceptive. Whenever another dog misbehaves, heāll 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 hadnāt 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 hidingāDreuganāwas anxious and unsure. He nipped at people, clearly in distress, and I knew in that moment he needed us.
Raising Dreugan hasnāt been easy. Heās a 3/4 Husky and 1/4 Rottweiler, a mix that brings out his strength and independence. Heās broken my finger, given me rope burns, and had his share of stressful moments, especially around other dogs he doesnāt know. But with patience, reassurance, and a lot of love, heās grown into a wonderful companion. Although he doesnāt show affection in typical ways and sometimes acts indifferent, he also sneaks in moments of softnessālike cuddling with our new puppy, Vibria, when he thinks no oneās watching.
We may have unknowingly supported backyard breeding by adopting him, but weāre 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)**
Itās 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 weād 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, weāre more than a campground; weāre 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 