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 â 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 werenât 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 didnât belong to them! Thankfully, we had chained the axles of our trailer, and it was empty at the time â 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 â even the tough ones â 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 isnât always easy â 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 life
Desert Wind DESTROYS Our Shower & Kitchen â You Wonât Believe What Survived!
Desert Winds Take Out Our New Shower and Kitchen â But We Refuse to Quit!
Life off-grid isnât always sunshine and stars â sometimes itâs high desert winds trying to blow everything down! In this vault video, the wind took out both our newly built shower and kitchen setup. Luckily, we managed to patch them up and keep things running a bit longer!
Every project teaches us something new about resilience, adaptability, and perseverance. Living off-grid at **Plateau Hame de Colquhoun (Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center)** means embracing the elements and learning to rebuild stronger each time.
Join us as we celebrate **five years off-grid**! In honor of our 5th anniversary on **Saturday, October 18th**, weâre hosting an **Open Mic Night** â come out in person, camp a night (or more), or join live from home on our **Colquhoun Entertainment TikTok** profile.
Whether itâs music, laughter, or rebuilding after the wind, we keep moving forward â desert strong!
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving #DesertLife #KaHoonCampground #DIYRepair #OpenMicNight
Lost in the Desert? GPS Roads That Donât Exist | Our Off-Grid Journey đ§đ”
When GPS Roads Donât Exist: Finding Our Way Off-Grid in New Mexico
Hereâs another **video from the vault**! When we first started our off-grid journey, one of the biggest challenges wasnât just the desert heat or the windâit was simply finding our way home.
GPS showed us roads that no longer existed, leading us into dead ends, private property, and long detours. Over time, we rebuilt part of the road ourselves, carving out a path that made it easier to access our land.
Itâs just one more reminder that off-grid living isnât always simpleâitâs a constant journey of adapting and creating solutions.
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**In honor of our 5th anniversary** on **Saturday, October 18th**, weâll be hosting an **Open Mic Night** at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center! You can:
* Attend in person
* Stay a few hours
* Book a campsite for the night (or longer)
* Or join us live on TikTok at **Colquhoun Entertainment**
Follow along as we look back at how far weâve come!
đ Learn more at:
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving #DesertLife #HomesteadJourney #KaHoonCampground #TinyLiving
From Minnesota to New Mexico: How We Built Ka-Hoon Campground & Celebrate 5 Years Strong!
Video from the Vault: Our Journey to Ka-Hoon Campground đ”
Back in **October 2020**, we made the big move from Minnesota to New Mexico. We packed up, downsized, and hit the road toward a new chapter of life. Just a few months earlier, in **January 2020**, we purchased the land that would become **Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center**.
This vault video takes you back to those early daysâwhen we were still figuring things out, still dreaming, and not yet knowing how much this land would grow into what it is today. From Minnesota winters to New Mexico deserts, it was a leap of faith that became a new way of life.
Now, our homestead is not just home, itâs a place for **campers, musicians, and event-goers** to gather under the desert sky.
âš **Mark Your Calendars** âš
In honor of our **5th anniversary of moving to New Mexico on October 18th**, weâll be hosting an **Open Mic Night**! You can:
* Join us in person at Ka-Hoon Campground
* Stay a few hours, book a campsite, or even camp longer
* Or tune in online from home via our **Colquhoun Entertainment TikTok profile**
Come celebrate five years of adventure, music, and community with us!
đ Learn more about our campground, events, and livestreams at: http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #HomesteadJourney #KaHoonCampground #DesertLiving #OpenMicNight
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
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#FunnyAnimals #CountryLife #CaughtOnCamera #FarmLifeHumor #ViralCows
Living Off-Grid Without Water?! Shocking Truth About Public Showers & Off-Grid Struggles!
Living off-grid isnât easy â especially when essential equipment like your truck breaks down. For us, hauling water is critical, and when the truck is out of commission, it means no water at home. Recently, that meant relying on Planet Fitness in Los Lunas for showers. At first, showering at the gym seemed like a convenient solution. But thereâs a catch: to get a hot shower, the water system requires another shower to be running or at least someone to wash their hands in the bathroom. These systems often share the same hot water source, so one running helps maintain the temperature.
However, this creates an awkward dilemma. Itâs common to see extra showers running even if only one person is actually showering. Personally, Iâm uncomfortable turning on another shower while Iâm using mine â I worry someone might want to use it and assume itâs occupied. Hereâs the thing â when the bathroom is busy, you expect people to wash their hands after using the toilet. I always do. But one Thursday, while I was the only person showering, I kept hearing toilets flushing but no handwashing. It wasnât until I was nearly done with my chilly shower that someone finally washed their hands, and only then did I get some hot water.
This experience was surprising â and honestly, a bit unsettling â because it made me realize just how many people skip washing their hands even in public spaces where hygiene is critical. Living off-grid means adapting to challenges, big and small. From truck repairs impacting water hauling to navigating the quirks of public showers, itâs all part of the journey. If youâre considering off-grid life or are already living it, these moments remind us that patience, creativity, and a bit of humor go a long way.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #WaterChallenges #ShowerStruggles #KaHoonCampground
Truck Brakes FAIL After Repair?! Could Be Costly Caliper! But We Got Water Delivered Anyway!
đ Truck Update: Brakes, Water Runs, and Salvage Yard Hopes
We finally got the parts in to repair the truckâs brakes. Unfortunately, I wasnât able to get any photos of the parts or the guys doing the work. After the repairs, they took it for a test drive into town, and everything seemed fine⊠at first.
Feeling confident, they decided to take it on a **water run** â thatâs when the trouble started. The brakes began acting up again, sometimes locking up, sometimes not working at all. Not exactly the kind of surprise you want when youâre hauling water through rough desert roads.
Today, theyâre planning to take another look. The biggest concern? The **caliper** might be bad. From what Iâve been told, thatâs a pricey repair. More than likely, weâll be searching local **salvage yards** for the part instead of buying new.
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### The Silver Lining
On the bright side, they *were* able to haul out **one load of water** before the brakes started misbehaving again. We never run full loads â usually around **100â120 gallons at a time** â to protect the trailer on these bumpy roads. It usually takes two loads to fill up the IBC tote completely.
Since they managed to get that first load home, it means one very important thing⊠**the shower is functional again!**
Life off-grid is full of challenges, but every small win â even something as simple as a working shower â feels like a big victory out here.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #TruckRepair #WaterHaul #KeepItMoving
West Mesa Ancestral Magic
Weâve been told the mesa holds ancient magic â a power that predates us all. Where it came from, I donât know. But I believe it’s real. Thereâs something about this place that feels alive, almost sentient.
When I was a child, I visited my favorite museum on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota. It was there I met an old Sioux woman. She told me something that stayed with me my entire life â that where two rivers meet is sacred. Protected. Watched over by unseen forces.
Here on the West Mesa, we are flanked by rivers on both sides. And not far to the south, they meet. That energy â sacred and powerful â is in the land.
A very wise local man, someone we deeply respect and whoâs lived here longer than anyone else we know, once told us something even more curious. He said the mesa itself has a will. It can approve of you⊠or reject you. And even if it approves, it still makes you work for your place here. You must prove yourself worthy to stay.
If the mesa doesnât approve? Well, weâve seen what happens.
Some people go mad â slowly at first, hanging on for years before their grip slips. As I like to say, their cheese finally slides off their cracker. Others unravel much faster. This place doesnât just test you â it chooses you.
There is magic here. Ancestral magic. Whether it comes from the land, the rivers, the spirits, or something older â I may never truly know. But I respect it. And I know better than to ignore it.
Percolator Coffee Hits Different đ | Morning Off-Grid Life with Dogs, Crafts & Peaceful Desert Vibes
Morning Coffee, Quiet Moments, and a Craft I Donât Even Like**
Mornings are my time. Whoever wakes up firstâusually meâgets to enjoy the quiet calm of the desert before the day begins. With a cup of coffee in hand and the dogs lounging nearby, I get a few moments of peace to myself before the campground starts to stir.
This is when I do a bit of everythingâupdate the website, edit a video, jot down a blog post, or chip away at whatever project Iâve got going. Right now, itâs a diamond painting someone gave me. Honestly, itâs not really my style, but I promised myself Iâd finish it before moving on to one I actually like. Sometimes, finishing something youâre not in love with feels like a little winâespecially with a hot cup of coffee and some tail-wagging company at your feet.
These little rituals keep things grounded, even when everything else is chaos.
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#PercolatorCoffee, #MorningRoutine, #OffGridLiving, #DesertLife, #TinyLiving
BEWARE of ‘Free’ Off-Grid Living Offers đł What They’re NOT Telling You!
Free or Low-Cost Stays Are on the RiseâBut Are They Safe or Sustainable?**
In recent months, thereâs been a noticeable rise in communities and landowners offering **free or low-cost places to live**âfrom RV spots and tent camping, to off-grid setups, tiny home villages, and communal land projects. This trend is gaining momentum, especially as the national conversation around homelessness has shifted dramatically. With recent legislation signed into law making aspects of **homelessness illegal** in certain jurisdictions (such as Trump’s support of bills that criminalize encampments in public spaces), more people are seeking alternatives before they’re pushed into crisis.
But with this wave of new options, comes a critical reminder: **not all opportunities are created with your best interest in mind.**
### Free Isnât Always Free
Some of these places offer stays in tents, vehicles, or campers for little to no cost. Others promise a safe, off-grid lifestyle in exchange for a bit of labor or financial contribution. But hereâs the truth: **just because itâs free or cheap doesnât mean itâs the right fitâor even safe.** In some cases, people arrive with high hopes only to find poor living conditions, unclear rules, or outright scams.
### Research Is Your Best Friend
Before committing to any place offering low-cost or free accommodations, **do your homework**:
* **Google them.** Look up the name of the place and add “reviews” or “scam” to see what comes up.
* **Check social media.** Most reputable places have a public presence. See how active and transparent they are.
* **Visit if possible.** If they offer short stays on platforms like **Airbnb, Hipcamp, or The Dyrt**, consider trying a night or weekend before committing long-term.
* **Ask questions.** Email or call. You should never have to pay or âsubscribeâ just to get basic information.
* **Make a list.** Ask about water access, power, rules, communication, transportation, visitors, pets, and exit plans.
### Know What You’re Signing Up For
Itâs important to know if youâll be expected to work in exchange for your stay, and what that means. Some people are okay with trading a few hours of work for a space to park their RVâothers may feel uncomfortable if the workload isnât clearly defined or becomes excessive.
For example, **at our own location**, we offer **limited long-term stays through a membership program**. Members must be **fully self-contained**, meaning they need to bring their own water, have their own vehicle, and manage their own waste systems. We donât offer work exchange, but weâre upfront about the expectationsâbecause transparency matters.
### Final Thoughts
These types of communities can be beautiful, healing placesâbut **you have to make sure they align with your needs and values**. What might feel like freedom at first glance can become frustrating if the structure, expectations, or environment donât suit your lifestyle.
**Free or cheap isnât always better.** Ask questions, get details, and make sure the space is one where you can truly thriveânot just survive.
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#OffGridLiving, #VanlifeCommunity, #AlternativeLiving, #FreeCampingTips, #NomadAdvice
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 