**Monsoon Season Hits the Desert With a Vengeance: Our Flooded Road Adventure**
Living off-grid in the New Mexico desert means you’re always at the mercy of nature—and monsoon season doesn’t show mercy. This year, it came in swinging.
We had heard the monsoon was headed our way, so we made a quick run into town to grab water and essentials. What we didn’t expect was just how fast the roads would flood. Eleven miles of dirt road turned into a wild riverbed, and by the time we hit mile five, we were deep in it—literally.
The water rose fast and high, at points reaching the bottom of the car doors. We had the pedal to the floor and still barely crept forward. The car’s exhaust bubbled under the surface of the flood water as we pushed through—hoping not to stall out.
And just like that, we reached home—where it hadn’t rained at all. The land was dry. Not a single drop. That’s the strange beauty of monsoon season in the high desert: one area can be underwater while another stays bone dry.
🎥 **Watch the video** of our wild journey back home and see for yourself what life off-grid in the desert really looks like during a monsoon.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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Tag: extreme weather
Discover the challenges of off-grid living on the mesa, from water issues to extreme weather conditions.
**The Reality of Off-Grid Living: What You Need to Know Before Moving to the Mesa**
In recent years, we’ve seen many people move out here with dreams of living off-grid. The land is cheap, and the idea of self-sustained living is appealing. Many come with plans to farm, plant trees, and cultivate gardens. While not impossible, the reality is far more challenging than most expect—it requires a significant amount of money and resources.
We, too, had hopes of planting gardens and creating a more sustainable environment with trees and flowers. However, we quickly realized that water is the biggest challenge. On this end of the mesa, we simply don’t get enough rain to rely on rainwater harvesting. The soil is incredibly arid, and the intense sun scorches everything in its path. Then, there are the relentless winds. You’ll quickly get accustomed to the taste of sand and how it invades every crack, crevice, and structure you build.
Drilling a well is prohibitively expensive, and while hauling water is a cheaper option, it takes a heavy toll on your vehicle and trailer. Unfortunately, there are currently no local water delivery services, though that may change in the near future.
Living off-grid here also means preparing for extreme weather conditions. Winters can drop to the teens or even single digits at night, while summers bring triple-digit heat. A solid, well-built structure is essential—tents simply won’t hold up to the harsh environment.
Off-grid living on the mesa can be rewarding, but it’s not for the faint of heart. You must be prepared for the extremes and fully understand the challenges that come with this lifestyle.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving #SelfSustainedLife #LivingOnTheMesa #HarshClimate #WaterChallenges #SustainableLiving #MesaLife #PlateauHameDeColquhoun #KaHoonCampground #OffGridCommunity #DesertFarming #ExtremeWeather #Sandstorms #HaulingWater #RuggedLifestyle
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