When we moved to New Mexico, we knew challenges were ahead. Wind was one of the biggest. Before moving, we tried to plan for it, but nothing could prepare us for days of **30 mph desert winds**. Our first outdoor kitchen lasted only two months before it was ripped apart.
With no choice, we purchased what we hoped would be a stronger replacement. At the same time, we reused parts from the broken kitchen to build an **outdoor shower area**. Living off-grid means adapting and rebuilding when nature pushes back.
But will these new shelters hold up to the desert winds? Stay tuned for upcoming videos to see how our setup survived!
✨ In honor of our **5th anniversary on Saturday, October 18th**, we’re hosting an **Open Mic Night**! Come in person, camp with us, or join from home online on our **Colquhoun Entertainment TikTok profile**.
Yesterday was a big day—we 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. We’ve still got a few tweaks to make:
* The **drain piece we picked up was a bit too small**, so we’ll need to replace it with a better-fitting one. * Right now, we’re **placing the water pump inside the shower when not in use**, but that’s 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 aren’t doing the trick. I’m going to give them one more good charge and see if that helps—if not, we’ll 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 we’ve been doing. * And last but not least—we’re 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. It’s totally fine when it’s just us out here, but less ideal when we have visitors or campers on-site.
Still, all of that aside—**being able to shower at home again feels like a luxury.** It’s a simple thing we used to take for granted, and now it’s 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.
We’ll 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 rewarding—especially when you finally get to feel clean at home.
🌦️ Rainy Desert Days & A Shower Build Full of Lessons DIY Life at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun
It’s been a stretch of cloudy, rainy, and warm days here on the New Mexico desert — and despite the gloomy skies, we’ve been pushing forward with our off-grid shower build at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun.
The main structure is now complete! We still need to install the on-demand water heater, finish the drainage system, and run the water hoses — but we’re close. The only thing holding us back now is gathering a few more supplies.
This build hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing — not because it was technically complex, but because of our learning curve with tools and miscommunications during the process. With Brent still recovering from multiple strokes and carotid artery surgery, he’s limited to using only one good arm. That means our teamwork has been more important than ever — and sometimes, a bit chaotic.
While Anne and I were finishing up the door, I broke three drill bits and stripped out more screw heads than I care to admit. Frustrated, Brent stepped in to help. Despite only having the use of one arm, he drilled the holes and put in the screws like it was nothing. Honestly, it was inspiring to watch — he made it look effortless. But it came with a cost. His bad arm, hand, and shoulder swelled up afterward. Thankfully, the swelling had gone down by the next morning. It was a reminder of both how far he’s come in recovery and how important it is to pace ourselves.
Just a few weeks ago, he couldn’t even hold a drill. And now? He’s back to problem-solving and building — one-handed and determined. We’ll be wrapping up the final plumbing parts soon and will share the full off-grid shower reveal once everything’s running!
Thanks for following along with our journey — from stroke recovery and DIY struggles to homestead progress and desert storms.
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 