When GPS Roads Don’t Exist: Finding Our Way Off-Grid in New Mexico
Here’s another **video from the vault**! When we first started our off-grid journey, one of the biggest challenges wasn’t just the desert heat or the wind—it 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.
It’s just one more reminder that off-grid living isn’t always simple—it’s a constant journey of adapting and creating solutions.
📅 **In honor of our 5th anniversary** on **Saturday, October 18th**, we’ll 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 we’ve come!
👉 Learn more at:
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving #DesertLife #HomesteadJourney #KaHoonCampground #TinyLiving
Tag: desert life
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 🌵
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 days—when 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, it’s a place for **campers, musicians, and event-goers** to gather under the desert sky.
✨ **Mark Your Calendars** ✨
In honor of our **5th anniversary of moving to New Mexico on October 18th**, we’ll 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!
🔗 Learn more about our campground, events, and livestreams at: http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #HomesteadJourney #KaHoonCampground #DesertLiving #OpenMicNight
Cows Won’t Stop Ringing Our Doorbell?! 🐄😂 You Won’t Believe Why They’re Obsessed!
Why are the free-range cattle obsessed with our @Blink doorbell? 🤔 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 🐄📸😂
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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 isn’t easy — 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 there’s 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. It’s common to see extra showers running even if only one person is actually showering. Personally, I’m uncomfortable turning on another shower while I’m using mine — I worry someone might want to use it and assume it’s occupied. Here’s the thing — 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 wasn’t 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 — and honestly, a bit unsettling — 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, it’s all part of the journey. If you’re 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!
🚚 Truck Update: Brakes, Water Runs, and Salvage Yard Hopes
We finally got the parts in to repair the truck’s brakes. Unfortunately, I wasn’t 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** — that’s 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 you’re hauling water through rough desert roads.
Today, they’re planning to take another look. The biggest concern? The **caliper** might be bad. From what I’ve been told, that’s a pricey repair. More than likely, we’ll 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 — usually around **100–120 gallons at a time** — 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 — even something as simple as a working shower — feels like a big victory out here.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #TruckRepair #WaterHaul #KeepItMoving
West Mesa Ancestral Magic
We’ve been told the mesa holds ancient magic — a power that predates us all. Where it came from, I don’t know. But I believe it’s real. There’s 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 — 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 — sacred and powerful — is in the land.
A very wise local man, someone we deeply respect and who’s 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 doesn’t approve? Well, we’ve seen what happens.
Some people go mad — 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 doesn’t just test you — it chooses you.
There is magic here. Ancestral magic. Whether it comes from the land, the rivers, the spirits, or something older — I may never truly know. But I respect it. And I know better than to ignore it.
Percolator Coffee Hits Different 🌄 | Morning Off-Grid Life with Dogs, Crafts & Peaceful Desert Vibes
Morning Coffee, Quiet Moments, and a Craft I Don’t Even Like**
Mornings are my time. Whoever wakes up first—usually me—gets 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 everything—update the website, edit a video, jot down a blog post, or chip away at whatever project I’ve got going. Right now, it’s a diamond painting someone gave me. Honestly, it’s not really my style, but I promised myself I’d finish it before moving on to one I actually like. Sometimes, finishing something you’re not in love with feels like a little win—especially 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 😳 What They’re NOT Telling You!
Free or Low-Cost Stays Are on the Rise—But Are They Safe or Sustainable?**
In recent months, there’s been a noticeable rise in communities and landowners offering **free or low-cost places to live**—from 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 Isn’t 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 here’s the truth: **just because it’s free or cheap doesn’t mean it’s the right fit—or 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 “subscribe” 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
It’s important to know if you’ll 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 RV—others may feel uncomfortable if the workload isn’t 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 don’t offer work exchange, but we’re upfront about the expectations—because transparency matters.
### Final Thoughts
These types of communities can be beautiful, healing places—but **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 don’t suit your lifestyle.
**Free or cheap isn’t always better.** Ask questions, get details, and make sure the space is one where you can truly thrive—not just survive.
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#OffGridLiving, #VanlifeCommunity, #AlternativeLiving, #FreeCampingTips, #NomadAdvice
Off-Grid Desert Living for–Could THIS Be the Best Long-Term Camp Spot in New Mexico?
🌵 Ka-Hoon Campground Membership Program 🌵**
📍Deep in the New Mexico Desert | 🏕️ Respect. Freedom. Community.
At the end of last year, we quietly launched our **Ka-Hoon Campground Membership Program**—a long-term stay option requested by some of our amazing campers. Since then, we’ve welcomed a few dedicated members who stayed for nearly six months before heading off to chase their dreams in California.
This program was never about packing people in—it’s about building an intentional, respectful desert community. Let’s be honest: as much as we’d love to offer free stays, we do have expenses. And while this isn’t a get-rich venture for us, it is our home *and* our livelihood. Like anyone else, we just want to live simply and comfortably while protecting the land.
**What’s included in the membership?**
✅ Long-term stay opportunities
✅ Come and go as you please
✅ Set up your space your way
✅ No work exchange required
✅ Just one rule: **Respect**—for the land, yourself, and others
✅ No illegal substances, no chaos—just desert calm
We keep our numbers small on purpose, hoping to attract folks who share our values. If you’re someone looking for a safe, peaceful place to be yourself, you just might find your spot here on the mesa.
**Interested in joining or learning more? Message us today.**
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#KaHoonCampground #OffGridCommunity #LongTermCamping #NewMexicoDesert #IntentionalLiving
We Finally Solved the Off-Grid Shower Problem… But It Wasn’t Easy!
New Camper Shower Coming Soon at Ka-Hoon Campground**
We’re getting closer to having a working shower available for campers here at Ka-Hoon Campground! Like most off-grid projects, it’s taken some trial and error to figure out what works best.
One of our biggest challenges has been the **water pump**. We initially tried using a **small well pump** designed to run an entire household, but it turned out to be *too powerful* for our setup. It required priming every time, didn’t work well with flexible hoses, and created pressure issues. While we still plan to use it in future builds, it’s not the right fit for a simple shower system.
After some research, we chose a **diaphragm pump**, which is much more efficient and easier to operate. It’ll allow us to provide on-demand water for showers without the hassle of setting up and tearing down each time. Campers can just flip a switch and enjoy a hot rinse (once we finish setting up the privacy area — that’s coming soon!).
### Why There Will Be a Shower Fee
The shower won’t be included in the nightly camping fee because not everyone will need it. Instead, we’ll charge **\$10 for a 15-minute shower**, which helps cover:
* **Water hauling costs** – including fuel for the truck **and the cost of the water itself**
* **Propane** for heating water
* **System upkeep** and maintenance
Currently, it costs us about **\$30 to haul 150 gallons** of water, and to avoid excessive wear on the trailer and truck, we limit loads to that amount.
Like everything else out here, we’re building it slowly and sustainably. We appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we keep improving the off-grid experience at Ka-Hoon!
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#offgridliving, #desertlife, #kahooncampground, #offgridshower, #diaphragmpump, #waterhaul, #tinyhome, #offgridcamping, #newmexicodesert, #camplife, #propaneheat, #offgridcommunity, #diyshower, #offgridwater, #rvlife
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 