**Life on Our Island in the Sky â The Mesa Overlooking the Rio Grande Valley**
If youâve followed our blog, watched our videos, or joined our livestreams, youâve likely heard us describe our home as an *âisland in the sky.â* What we mean by that is the mesa where we liveâan elevated desert landscape with sweeping views and a beauty all its own.
Over the past months, weâve taken you along the edge of this mesa during livestreams, and shared photos and clips that capture just a glimpse of the experience. But seeing it in person is something truly unforgettable. The edge drops off dramatically, opening to the breathtaking Rio Grande Valley below. Itâs a reminder of the raw, natural power of the desert and why we chose this lifestyle in the first place.
Living off-grid on a mesa comes with its challengesâwind, isolation, and rugged terrainâbut it also offers freedom, peace, and connection to nature that canât be matched. Every sunrise and sunset feels like a gift when it stretches across the valley floor, painting the sky in colors that pictures never fully capture.
For us, sharing this journey isnât just about showing the viewsâitâs about inviting you into the off-grid lifestyle, the lessons weâve learned, and the beauty that makes it worthwhile. Whether youâre interested in off-grid living yourself or simply curious about life on the mesa, we hope our stories inspire you.
Stay tuned for more videos, livestreams, and photos as we continue exploring and sharing our island in the sky.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving #scenery #plateauhamedecolquhoun #riogrande #desertlifestyle
Tag: desert living
Are 4 Dogs a Sign of Poverty or True Wealth? Living Rich Without Money in the Desert đ”đŸ
True Wealth Isnât Money â Itâs Living Fully
My dad always said, *âYou can tell how poor someone is by the number of dogs they have.â* Well, here we are again with four dogs. Does that make us really poor? Financially, sureâweâre not rich by any means. But if I could live without money, Iâd be perfectly happy.
The truth is, how much money you do or donât have doesnât define your wealth. A rich man can be poor in spirit, unhappy in life, and never truly free. On the other hand, someone with very little money can live a life overflowing with joy, love, and meaning.
For me, real wealth is found in living the life weâve built out here in the desert. We created our land so people from all walks of life can come together, feel safe, and simply be themselves. Itâs a place to laugh, to connect, to meet new friends, and to escape the pressure of the outside world.
That, my friends, is wealth. Not in a bank accountâbut in the heart, in the connections we share, and in the freedom to live authentically.
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#LifeOfWealth #DogsOfTikTok #SimpleLiving #DesertLife #TrueRiches
$2,500 Brake Job FAIL! Truck Down, No Water, and Car Warning Lights â Off-Grid Struggles Exposed!
Update on the Truck Repairs â Parts Ordered, But Life Throws More Curves
Update on the truck repairs: after two days digging under the truck, we found the culpritâthe **Dual Piston Front Caliper Mounting Bracket had fallen off while driving**. This part is critical for the front brakes, and its disappearance explains the brake problems we’ve been having.
We paid **\$2,500 for a full brake job**, and the truck has barely been drivenâonly about **1,000 miles** since then. Unfortunately, none of the local parts stores had this rare bracket in stock. After searching high and low, we ended up ordering the part from **Bronco Graveyard**. However, **thereâs still no ETA on its arrival**, so the truck remains out of commission.
With the truck down, we canât haul water anymore, which means the shower is effectively out of serviceâright now, we have just enough water left for maybe one shower.
Meanwhile, the car threw a curveball too. The **check engine light came on**, and a scan revealed itâs related to the **evaporative emissions solenoid**, a relatively cheap fix. But after investing everything into the truck, we donât have funds to fix it immediately. Luckily, the mechanic assured us the car is safe to drive.
Adding to the fun, the carâs **check headlight warning lit up last night** while heading out to pick up Anne from work. So, while the car is still running fine, the warnings keep coming.
Off-grid life is beautiful but full of challengesâand right now, everything seems to be happening at once. Weâre taking it day by day, hoping to get the truck back soon and the shower flowing again.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife, #TruckRepair, #DIYFixes, #RuralLiving, #KeepGoing
Brakes Failed While Hauling Water â What We Discovered Was Shocking!
đ When Repairs Arenât What They Seem: Life With an Old Workhorse on the Desert Roads**
Living off-grid means you rely on your gear more than most people ever will â and when that gear fails, itâs not just inconvenient⊠itâs survival. About a month ago, while hauling water in our 1984 Ford F-250 diesel, we lost the brakes. Thankfully, it happened out here on the desert roads and not in traffic. We originally believed it was the master cylinder â especially since we were told that was never replaced when we previously had the brake system worked on.
But today, with the help of a neighbor whoâs a mechanic, we discovered it was actually the **brake booster** that had failed. Turns out, the master cylinder *had* been replaced a few years ago when we paid a shop to redo the brakes, calipers, rotors, and wheel bearings. They charged us \$2,500 â then wanted another \$500â\$600 to replace the booster. That part was skipped, and we drove it as-is until the system failed entirely.
We ordered a new brake booster from OâReillyâs (after learning there are two types depending on weight â our truck needs the over 8,000 lb version). Once we got it installed, we thought we were in the clear.
But of course, the plot thickened.
After installing the new booster, we discovered brake fluid leaking from the front passenger side. Upon further inspection, we found **the brake hardware kit had been improperly installed** years ago, which caused the part to fail and the fluid to leak. So now, we’re waiting (again) on parts â this time from AutoZone â to repair something that should have been done right the first time.
And while weâd planned this week to finally address the **mystery leak** from our transmission (which doesnât leak at home over a tarp, only in random parking lots), weâre instead fixing problems we thought had already been taken care of in good faith.
Weâre not made of money. If we were, we might still drive this old 6.9L diesel beast, but weâd have had it completely rewired, flushed, and rebuilt by someone we trust. Because letâs be real â this truck *wants* to work. It may not be pretty, but it runs strong and drives like an old Ford should. If youâve driven one, you know exactly what we mean.
Sometimes, you wish you could grow a money tree and make everything the way you want it. But thatâs not the reality â especially out here, living simply and off-grid. So we keep turning wrenches, learning lessons, and hoping the next part shows up on time.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #TruckRepairs #DesertLiving #DieselTruckLife #F250Woes
Rescue Puppy Escapes Everything! You Wonât Believe How Far Sheâs Come Since That Ditch in Roswell!
Life, Heat, and a Little Hurricane Named Vibria
Between the extreme desert heat, doctor appointments, and just everyday life, itâs been tough finding time to sit down and create a new video update from the Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center. But today, weâve got a story to share â about one wild, clever, and incredibly determined pup named Vibria.
### Meet Vibria: Our Carolina Dog With Puppy Brain
Vibria, our Carolina dog, is turning one next month â and while sheâs growing fast, her puppy energy is still in full force. Her absolute favorite pastime? Tearing up paper. We keep our burnable trash (paper, cardboard, etc.) in a special bin inside, but if Vibria gets near it, thereâs guaranteed to be a confetti explosion.
We’ve honestly never gone through so many collars and harnesses in our lives. She *loves* wearing them â throws a little tantrum when sheâs not â yet somehow she always manages to chew through them or snap a buckle when we least expect it.
### Escape Artist Extraordinaire
Vibria has earned her title as the campgroundâs official *Escape Artist*. Despite chicken wire lining the bottom of our fenced yard (because yes, she figured out how to squeeze through), she continues to find creative ways to get out. Whether itâs tearing through the wire, climbing the fence, or digging under it â sheâs out the moment you blink.
Strangely, she never tries to run when sheâs in the RV or the car. But left alone in the yard for two seconds? Sheâs off chasing lizards, snacking on cat food, or playing with the campground kitties.
### From Roadside Rescue to Ka-Hoon Family Member
Vibriaâs story started on Calhoun Street in Roswell, where she and her two littermates were abandoned in a ditch. A kind-hearted woman rescued them, and after a six-hour round trip, we brought Vibria home. Since then, sheâs become a beloved member of our quirky Calhoun family at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center.
From tearing up paper to escaping like a furry Houdini, Vibria keeps us on our toes â and we wouldnât have it any other way.
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### đŸ Come Meet Our Desert Family
Want to experience the off-grid life with a touch of chaos and charm? Come visit Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center, where every critter (and camper) has a story.
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#vibria, #campgrounddog, #puppylife, #desertdog, #rescuedog, #dogsoftiktok, #carolinadog, #dogadventures, #dogsofinstagram, #dogescapeartist, #offgridliving, #kahooncampground, #puppybloopers, #rescuedismyfavoritebreed, #puppydiaries
We Finally Took Our FIRST Off-Grid Shower! (But It Didnât Go Exactly As Planned đ )
Yesterday was a big dayâwe got to take our **first shower in our new off-grid shower setup**! After all the planning, ordering, adjusting, and waiting on parts, it felt amazing to finally rinse off right here at home.
Of course, no DIY project is ever *truly* finished on the first go. Weâve still got a few tweaks to make:
* The **drain piece we picked up was a bit too small**, so weâll need to replace it with a better-fitting one.
* Right now, weâre **placing the water pump inside the shower when not in use**, but thatâs not a long-term solution. We need to build or repurpose a small box or container to house it safely and neatly.
* Our **on-demand water heater runs on D batteries**, and the rechargeable ones we bought arenât doing the trick. Iâm going to give them one more good charge and see if that helpsâif not, weâll pick up some regular D batteries to test it out.
* We also need to **install a hanger for the showerhead** to avoid the awkward balancing act weâve been doing.
* And last but not leastâweâre on the hunt for **pallets and posts to build an outdoor privacy wall** around the shower.
Until the privacy wall goes up, showering means dressing and undressing under the wide open desert sky. Itâs totally fine when itâs just us out here, but less ideal when we have visitors or campers on-site.
Still, all of that asideâ**being able to shower at home again feels like a luxury.** Itâs a simple thing we used to take for granted, and now itâs a real treat to step into our own outdoor setup, clean off the desert dust, and not have to plan a trip to town for something so basic.
Weâll keep updating as we fine-tune the setup and build the privacy wall. Off-grid life may not always be convenient, but it’s always rewardingâespecially when you finally get to feel clean at home.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving, #DIYShowerBuild, #DesertLife, #TinyHomeProjects, #OutdoorShower, #HomesteadLife, #ShowerProgress, #KaHoonCampgroundAndEventCenter, #PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #WaterStorageSolutions, #PrivacyWallBuild, #OnDemandWaterHeater, #IBCSetup, #DesertHomestead, #OffGridCouple**
From Stroke to Song: Advocatus Diaboli Sings Again Just Weeks After Life-Changing Diagnosis
**From Off-Grid Peace to Hospital Alarms: Our Stroke Survival Journey**
Two weeks ago tonight, our peaceful, off-grid life in the New Mexico desert took a sudden and frightening turn. Brentâalso known as Advocatus from our band *Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band*âbegan experiencing facial twitching. What we initially thought was a pinched nerve quickly spiraled into something far more serious.
Just a month earlier, Brent had lost movement in his arm and hand. Urgent Care diagnosed it as a pinched nerve and recommended an orthopedic visit. We booked the appointment, unaware that something much more dangerous was brewing beneath the surface.
The night we walked into the ER, everything changed. After hearing his symptoms, the medical team rushed Brent back immediately. Thatâs when real fear set in. X-rays and a CT scan revealed that Brent was having a strokeâand that the symptoms in his arm had actually been from a previous stroke, likely occurring around the time we visited Urgent Care weeks earlier.
A follow-up MRI confirmed it.
During his week-long hospital stay, Brent struggled with speech, and doctors were uncertain if he’d ever be able to sing again. For a man whose life revolves around music, it was a devastating possibility. But Brent is a fighter.
He underwent surgery to repair a clogged artery in his neck. Now heâs home, slowly regaining his strength. Heâs singing againâhis voice may not be at full strength yet, but itâs there. His arm is still affected, but weâre seeing small signs of progress. Only time will tell how much mobility heâll recover.
These last two weeks have been filled with fear, uncertainty, and hard adjustmentsâbut also love, resilience, and hope. I couldnât be more proud of Brent. We are thankful for every day, every note sung, and every small step forward.
If youâve followed our journey or are new to it, thank you for being here. Life off-grid isnât always easyâbut itâs real, itâs raw, and itâs ours.
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#StrokeSurvivor, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #OffGridLife, #HealingThroughMusic, #DesertLiving, #MusicTherapy, #RecoveryJourney, #IndieBand, #InspirationalStory, #LifeAfterStroke, #GrimLeaferBand, #NewMexicoLife, #SupportLocalMusic, #StrokeAwareness, #NeverGiveUp
Cleaning Up the Yard & Enjoying Time with Our Furry Kids â A Productive Day in the Desert!
**A Productive and Enjoyable Day in the Desert**
Today was a beautiful dayâperfect for getting things done and spending some quality time outdoors. Before taking Anne to work, we took some time to clean up the yard, making our space a little more organized and refreshing. It always feels good to keep things tidy, especially out here in the desert where the elements can quickly take over.
After the work was done, we made sure to enjoy the day by playing with our furry kids. They always bring so much joy and energy, reminding us to take a break and appreciate the little moments.
Living out here, every day is a balance between work and enjoying the simple things. The weather has been great, and itâs days like these that make life in the desert feel just right.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#DesertLife, #OffGridLiving, #SimpleLife, #RVLiving, #OutdoorLife, #SelfSufficient, #HomesteadLife, #PetLovers, #FurryFriends, #ProductiveDay, #NatureLover, #CountryLiving, #MinimalistLife, #PeacefulLiving, #IndependentLiving
Off-Grid Challenges, Campground Life, and a Unique Animatronic Band You Donât Want to Miss!
**Balancing Off-Grid Living, Campground Life, and the Band**
As winter lingers, each day brings a touch more daylight, but our lives remain packed with activity. Between managing the campground, handling the weatherâs unpredictable nature, and juggling personal commitments, things have been anything but quiet.
Our campground has been bustling with campers, weather preparations, and engaging with our growing membership community. The off-grid lifestyle demands constant attention to ensure everything runs smoothly, from solar maintenance to accommodating guests in changing conditions.
Meanwhile, the spotlight is on **Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band**, as we gear up for an exciting performance this Sunday at **Juno Brewery in Albuquerque**. With the bandâs unique blend of music, humor, and animatronic theatrics, this show promises to be unforgettable. Preparing for a performance like this involves countless hours of rehearsals, refining timing, and ensuring every detail aligns for an exceptional experience.
As we juggle these aspects of life, we are reminded of why we chose this pathâliving authentically, embracing challenges, and sharing creativity with our community. If you’re in Albuquerque this weekend, come out and join us for an evening of boundary-pushing entertainment!
**Stay tuned for updates and insights from our off-grid adventures and band performances.**
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
Www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
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#OffGridLiving, #CampgroundLife, #DesertAdventures, #AnimatronicBand, #LiveMusic, #SolarPower, #SustainableLiving, #RVLife, #JunoBrewery, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #GrimLeaferBand, #UniqueEntertainment, #CreativeLifestyle, #BandPerformance, #DesertLiving
Off-Grid Life: Sunlight Struggles & Community Wins in the New Mexico Desert!
**Life Off-Grid: Balancing Sunlight, Solar Power, and Community in the Desert**
With the last bits of snow now melted away, the desert sun is shining brighter each day, though not quite enough to keep us powered through the night. Living off-grid means relying on solar energy, but even here in the New Mexico desert, sunlight isnât always a guarantee. Weâre planning to build another solar array soon to increase our energy capacity, but timing is everything. On the rare calm days with mild weather, other responsibilities often take priority.
### Building Our Off-Grid Community
Weâve also welcomed a few long-term members to our off-grid community, and itâs been rewarding to see them embrace the membership program. Here, members find a unique balance of freedom and security. They each have their own small piece of land to call home, creating a space that reflects their individual personalities and needs. But thereâs also the reassurance of nearby support. Members can turn to one another for advice, help with projects, or even just a friendly conversation, while still enjoying privacy and personal space.
### Benefits of Off-Grid Membership
Our membership program isnât just about living off-gridâitâs about building a community that values independence and self-reliance, while also supporting one another. Members experience:
– **Personal Freedom**: The freedom to live off-grid, with few restrictions, allowing members to create a lifestyle that suits them.
– **Community Support**: Having others nearby who understand off-grid living and are willing to lend a hand or offer advice.
– **Privacy**: The ability to enjoy their own space while being part of a close-knit community.
As we continue to build out our solar capabilities and enhance our facilities, our community remains at the heart of what we do. Here, weâve created a space for those who seek both independence and camaraderie, and itâs rewarding to see others enjoy this way of life as much as we do.
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #SolarPowerStruggles #WinterInTheDesert #NoPowerProblems #LivingSimply #CommunityLife #RVLiving #EcoFriendlyLife #SnowyDesert #SolarEnergy #KaHoonCampground #OffGridCommunity #MakingItWork #LifeUnplugged
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 