From Solar Dreams to 5 Years Off-Grid: Celebrating Our Desert Anniversary 🌵🎶
In honor of our **5-year anniversary on the land** — October 18th, 2020 — we’re opening the **vault** to share a special look back at one of our biggest milestones: **building our 8k solar system**.
This system currently powers our **Greenroom and Music Studio**, and for now, it’s even keeping our **RV running** until the new **5k solar system** is complete. Every panel, wire, and connection represents a step toward complete self-sufficiency and freedom in the New Mexico desert.
We’ve come a long way since our first day out here, learning to adapt, grow, and create in the off-grid life. To celebrate these five incredible years, we’re hosting an **Open Mic & Karaoke Night** at **Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center**!
🎤 **Join us Saturday, October 18th** — either **in person** under the stars or **livestreamed** on our **Colquhoun Entertainment TikTok profile**.
Come celebrate with us — five years of building, music, and off-grid living in the desert we call home. 🌙
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #SolarBuild #KaHoonCampground #DesertLiving #ColquhounEntertainment
Tag: desert life
🔥 Raking the Desert for Magic! Preparing the Sand for Our Rangoli of Intentions 🌙
Preparing the Desert for the Rangoli: Raking the Ground for Our Night of Intentions
As we prepare for our **Rangoli celebration on November 1st** at **Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center**, the desert is becoming our canvas. This night is all about **manifesting goals, intentions, and personal transformation** beneath the wide New Mexico sky.
Instead of using chalk or powders, we’ll be **drawing directly into the sand**—letting the natural earth guide our designs. Each participant will create their own **Rangoli of Intentions**, using simple tools or even their hands to carve symbols that represent what they want to attract, release, or change in their lives.
To prepare, we’ve begun our **first raking of the ground**, softening and smoothing the desert floor so it’s ready for creation. The process itself feels symbolic—clearing away the old to make space for new energy.
When the Rangolis are complete, we’ll gather around the **bonfire**, dance, and celebrate the intentions we’ve set together. The night will blend **art, energy, and community**, bringing light and purpose to the desert sands.
Join us for this one-of-a-kind off-grid experience—where the earth itself becomes the medium for manifestation.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #Rangoli #DesertLiving #Manifestation #KaHoonCampground
Caught on Camera! Our First Off-Grid Intruder at Ka-Hoon Campground 😱
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 — 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 weren’t 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 didn’t belong to them! Thankfully, we had chained the axles of our trailer, and it was empty at the time — 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 — even the tough ones — 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 isn’t always easy — 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
Desert Wind DESTROYS Our Shower & Kitchen — You Won’t Believe What Survived!
Desert Winds Take Out Our New Shower and Kitchen — But We Refuse to Quit!
Life off-grid isn’t always sunshine and stars — sometimes it’s 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**, we’re hosting an **Open Mic Night** — come out in person, camp a night (or more), or join live from home on our **Colquhoun Entertainment TikTok** profile.
Whether it’s music, laughter, or rebuilding after the wind, we keep moving forward — desert strong!
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving #DesertLife #KaHoonCampground #DIYRepair #OpenMicNight
Lost in the Desert? GPS Roads That Don’t Exist | Our Off-Grid Journey 🚧🌵
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
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.
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 