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.
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.
Update on the Truck Repairs — Parts Ordered, But Life Throws More Curves
Update on the truck repairs: after two days digging under the truck, we found the culprit—the **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 driven—only 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, **there’s still no ETA on its arrival**, so the truck remains out of commission.
With the truck down, we can’t haul water anymore, which means the shower is effectively out of service—right 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 it’s related to the **evaporative emissions solenoid**, a relatively cheap fix. But after investing everything into the truck, we don’t have funds to fix it immediately. Luckily, the mechanic assured us the car is safe to drive.
Adding to the fun, the car’s **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 challenges—and right now, everything seems to be happening at once. We’re taking it day by day, hoping to get the truck back soon and the shower flowing again.
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.
🌵 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.**
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!
🌌 Life in the Desert: Night Skies, Cool Air, and Canine Joy
One of the things I absolutely love about living in the desert is the breathtaking view of the night sky. Out here, far from city lights and surrounded by open space, the stars put on a show every night. With little to no light pollution, it’s easy to get lost staring into the cosmos — planets, constellations, and sometimes even meteor showers.
Daytime in the desert is a whole different story. With temperatures climbing well over 100 degrees, we tend to go dormant during the heat of the day, focusing on ways to stay cool and conserve energy. Even the dogs know to take it easy. The sand gets scorching hot, so they usually lounge in the shade or stay indoors until things cool off.
But when the sun goes down? That’s when the magic happens.
As the desert starts to cool, we all come back to life. The dogs race around the yard, tails wagging, chasing shadows and each other. We sit outside, soaking in the cooler air, watching the sky transition from golden sunsets to deep star-filled black. It’s peaceful, grounding, and absolutely beautiful.
**Last night’s view was especially breathtaking.** The mostly full moon lit up the desert, casting soft shadows and adding a silvery glow to everything. It made sitting outside completely worth it — the kind of night that reminds you why you live out here. The stars still sparkled, but that moon stole the show.
Sometimes we go live on TikTok to share this little slice of desert life — the calm, the stars, the moon, and the dogs doing what dogs do best: playing under the night sky.
**Muddy Roads & Musical Oddities: A July 4th Update from the Desert**
We hope everyone had a fun, safe, and meaningful Fourth of July!
Out here in the New Mexico desert, it was a wet and wild one. We got just over an inch of rain, which might not sound like much—until you try to drive 11 miles of dirt roads in it. It was muddy, sloppy, and several sections flooded quickly. One camper transferred their stay, but a few brave souls still made the journey (thank you!). By evening, most of the **bypass routes** around the deep puddles had dried up, and things became much more manageable.
Life off-grid means always being prepared for the unpredictable—and rolling with it when the monsoon season hits.
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### Introducing: **Melodie’s Oddities Music Booking**
In other exciting news, I’ve officially launched **Melodie’s Oddities**—a small, independent music booking venture that was born from personal experience and necessity.
As many of you know, we have a very unique act: **Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band**, a darkly humorous live performance blending **animatronics, original songs, parodies, and theatrical storytelling.** It’s weird, wild, and unlike anything else out there.
The challenge? Most traditional booking agents didn’t know what to do with us. If you weren’t country, rock, or something they already understood, they didn’t bite. So after handling all the outreach myself for months—researching venues, building promo materials, and sending emails—I realized something important:
> *Maybe there’s a place for the “too weird” acts. And maybe I could help create it.*
I’m not a full-time agent. I don’t cold call. I’m not a music industry insider. But I *am* someone who saw a gap and decided to fill it. And that’s where **Melodie’s Oddities** began.
Right now, I focus on **email-based venue outreach** and support for artists who don’t fit the usual mold—acts that are **dark, unique, offbeat, or theatrical**, especially those who haven’t found traditional industry support. If that sounds like your band or project, reach out. I may not have all the answers, but I care deeply about helping strange, amazing music find its stage.
—
### Building Something Different
So while the roads may be muddy out here, we’re still moving forward. Whether it’s launching an odd little booking project, planning upcoming shows for Advocatus Diaboli, or drying out the campground after another monsoon, we’re always building something a little different.
On our way home, we paused to film a peaceful but beautiful rainstorm moving across the Rio Grande Valley toward our mesa. Moments like this are why we love off-grid desert life.
**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.
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 