Four years ago today, our journey to a new way of life began as we arrived in Belen, New Mexico. That first night, we stayed at Walmart, our trailer loaded with everything we could fit for the next chapter. Early the next morning, we unloaded at a storage unit before making our way to the land that would become our home.
Living off-grid has always been our dream, and settling here felt like the start of something truly special. It’s not just about surviving but thriving in an environment that encourages connection with nature and self-sufficiency. Those first days were a whirlwind of setting up camp, exploring the terrain, and figuring out how to make the desert our home.
Since then, we’ve grown in ways we never imagined. Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center has become more than just a place for us—it’s a place where others can come to disconnect from the noise of the world and reconnect with themselves and nature. We’ve hosted countless events and provided a safe, judgment-free space for people to enjoy the beauty of the desert.
Our philosophy is simple: life is too short to fit into someone else’s box. We’ve built a community where people can embrace who they truly are, free from judgment. Here at Ka-Hoon, you’re welcome to be yourself, no matter what that looks like.
We’ve also experienced our fair share of trial and error along the way, learning that not everything works out as planned—but that’s okay. We’ve adapted, tried different approaches, and ultimately created a space where others can also step back, breathe, and try again. Whether it’s through themed camping nights or unique events, Ka-Hoon is a place to reset and find a new path forward.
As we look back on the past four years, we’re grateful for the challenges, the growth, and the community we’ve built. We invite you to be a part of it and experience the peace, freedom, and adventure that come with living off-grid in the heart of New Mexico.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#PlateauHameDeColquhoun
#OffGridLiving #KaHoonCampground #NewMexicoDesert #ReconnectWithNature #BeYourself #InclusiveCommunity #NatureLovers #CampgroundEvents #SelfSufficiency #OffGridJourney #DesertCamping #SafeSpace #FreedomToBeYou #CampingAdventures #ExploreNewMexico #OutdoorLiving
Tag: plateau-hame-de-colquhoun
Get Ready for the Halloween Hootenanny & Music in the Desert at Ka-Hoon Campground!
**Get Ready for an Exciting Weekend at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center!**
Don’t forget, this weekend is the *Music in the Desert Talent Show and Karaoke* at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center. It’s your chance to showcase your talent or simply enjoy the performances and have a blast singing your favorite songs!
And starting October 16th, we’re kicking off the *Halloween Hootenanny*! This spooky celebration will feature live music, contests, creepy camp crawls, and so much more. Whether you’re a local or traveling through, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Be sure to visit our website for more information and get all the details on the upcoming events. Grab your friends and family, and come join the fun!
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#PlateauHameDeColquhoun #AdvocatusDiaboli #GrimLeaferBand #KaHoonCampground #MusicInTheDesert #HalloweenHootenanny #KaraokeNight #DesertEvents #TalentShow #LiveMusic #CampgroundEvents #OffGridLife #SpookySeason #CampfireVibes #DesertCamping
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
Advocatus Diaboli & the Grim Leafer Band: New Songs & Rehearsals | Upcoming Show Previews
** Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band : Show Update and Rehearsal Reflections**
Good Wednesday morning! The temperatures here have been quite pleasant, which makes it easier to focus on rehearsals. Yesterday, we spent most of the day in the studio, working on some new material and fine-tuning the animatronics. Of course, life brought its usual interruptions, making it a longer-than-expected session—over 4 hours of rehearsing!
I’ve always enjoyed rehearsals, even when they run long. We’re constantly pushing the show to the next level, not just musically but in terms of performance, timing, and the overall atmosphere. Each rehearsal brings us closer to enhancing every aspect of the show, from our song list to how the animatronics interact. We’re particularly excited to introduce a couple of new songs to our set in the upcoming performances, blending parody, original pieces, and our unique band dynamic.
**Upcoming Shows:**
– Oct 12: * October Music in the Desert * at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center
– Oct 18: * Halloween Hootenanny * at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center
– Oct 19: * Advocatus Diaboli & The Grim Leafer Band * at Tractor Brewing Company – Westside
– Oct 32 “Nov 1”: * Halloween Dance of the Dead at Red Gorilla Studios * at Red Gorilla Studios LLC
If you’re interested in catching a show or booking us, feel free to visit any of the Facebook Event pages or check out our websites:
http://www.advocatusdiaboliandthegrimleaferband.com
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
Come join the fun and see what we’ve been working on!
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#AdvocatusDiaboliBand #GrimLeaferBand #AnimatronicBand #ParodyMusic #OriginalMusic #KaHoonCampground #MusicInTheDesert #HalloweenHootenanny #TractorBrewingWestside #RedGorillaStudios #PlateauHameDeColquhoun #LiveMusicEvents #StudioRehearsal #UniquePerformance #OffGridMusic
Chasing Cattle Away From the RVs: A Morning on the Campground!
Thought I’d share a quick video of the cattle paying us a visit this morning and having to chase them away from the RVs. Watch how “difficult” it is to drive them off (said sarcastically)!
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#cattlelife #RVlife #KaHoonCampground #PlateauHameDeColquhoun #offgridliving
Off-Grid Morning: Solar Power Challenges and Life with Vibria the Pup at KaHoon Campground
This morning, we woke up to find the solar power out, which was strange since we had a full day of sun yesterday. As I lay in bed, my mind raced with possible reasons. My first thought was that maybe we’d forgotten to turn off the PA after rehearsal with the animatronics. That thing pulls about 3,000 watts, and we’ve accidentally left it on a few times before. But I distinctly remembered us shutting it down, so that couldn’t be it. The next thought, which I dreaded, was that something might be wrong with the solar system itself.
Eventually, I gave in and got up, mostly because the dogs decided it was time. Vibria was already calling from her box, ready to start the day. After letting the dogs out, I usually throw in a bit of fetch, fill up their water, and inevitably annoy them by going inside to make coffee. But not today. Today, I was on a mission to figure out what happened with the solar.
It didn’t take long to crack the case. Somehow, the fridge had switched to using both electric and gas. That means it draws power from the batteries first before automatically switching to gas when the power runs out. To make things worse, the RV charging system had switched to boost mode, which draws extra power to charge the RV batteries faster. Running both the fridge and boost mode overnight drained the system. It’s fine during the day when the solar’s up and running, but overnight? Not so much.
With a sigh of relief, I realized nothing was broken. Now, we’re just waiting for the sun to come up and recharge the solar. It’s a bit cloudy this morning, so it may take longer than usual, but it only takes about an hour or two of full sun to get the batteries back to normal.
Meanwhile, the dogs got their morning playtime, barked at a camper stopping by to say hello, and are now back to napping. Vibria’s curled up at my feet, and we’re just waiting on that coffee to percolate.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLiving #SolarPowerLife #RVLife #AnimatronicsShow #TinyHouseAdventures #PlateauHameDeColquhoun #KaHoonCampground #KaHoonVenue #SolarPowerIssues #DogLife #VibriaThePup #MorningRoutine #LifeInTheDesert #RuralLiving #SustainableLiving
Cattle Chaos: Off-Grid Adventures with Solar Panels and Free-Range Herds
**Cattle, Cattle, Everywhere…**
Why do the cattle always feel the need to hang around the solar panels? Seriously, they have acres upon acres of land to graze on, but no… they have to gather right where they can cause the most trouble! Growing up on a dairy farm, I remember the cows roaming the yard freely, grazing peacefully among the flowers and plants. At least, that’s how I remember it—though my parents might have a different story! Maybe I was too young to notice the chaos they caused back then, but these guys? They’re determined to drive us to the loony bin.
Yet, despite the destruction, I can’t bring myself to put up a fence. The open views are just too beautiful. The cattle are welcome here—if only they’d stay away from the solar panels! It’s not even like there’s a buffet of grass around the solar setups. But still, they gather like it’s the hottest spot in town.
Even with all the havoc, watching these cattle brings me back to my childhood. Back then, it was Holsteins wandering the Minnesota fields, and now it’s these stubborn free-range fellows. Nostalgia sure has a funny way of making chaos feel a little less… chaotic.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #KaHoonCampground, #KaHoonEventCenter, #SolarPanelProblems, #CattleTrouble, #OffGridLife, #CountryLiving, #RVLife, #TinyHouseLiving, #FreeRangeCattle, #RuralAdventures, #FarmLife, #NoFenceNoProblem, #NatureChallenges, #OpenRangeLiving
Meet Vibria: Our Newest Adventure and Challenges with Free-Range Cattle!
Life with Vibria: Our New Puppy and Free-Range Cattle Adventures
It’s been three weeks since we brought Vibria home, and we think she’s around 11 weeks old now. While we don’t know her exact breed or how big she’ll get, we estimate she’ll grow to be around 10 to 15 lbs based on her current size. Vibria has a big personality and zero fear—she’s quite the confident little pup. Potty training her has been a bit more challenging than it was with Dreugan, but we’re adjusting. Having a small dog again has its learning curve!
Vibria is so tiny that she can easily slip through the fence in our yard, so we’ve set up her own little fenced area within the larger yard to give her a safe space to play and soak up the sun. When we’re outside supervising, she gets to run around in the bigger fenced-in areas and even outside them.
Life out here has its challenges, though—especially when it comes to the free-range cattle. They love to roam, and unfortunately, they have a habit of tearing up our solar lights and getting too close to the solar panels. To keep them away, we’ve set up motion detectors that trigger sounds and lights, but sometimes these deterrents aren’t as effective as we’d like. We could build a fence, but we love the wide-open views, so we usually just go out and herd them away ourselves when they get too close. While we enjoy watching the cattle, we could definitely do without the destruction. We tell them they’re welcome as long as they stay out of our areas—but they don’t seem to listen!
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #KaHoonCampgroundAndEventCenter, #KaHoonVenue, #VibriaAdventures, #FreeRangeCattle, #OffGridLife, #RVLiving, #TinyHomeLiving, #SolarPowerChallenges, #LivingWithDogs, #DesertLife, #OutdoorAdventures, #PetTraining, #WideOpenViews, #CattleHerding
Disrespect on Private Property: A Lesson in Why Respect Matters | Plateau Hame de Colquhoun
This past week has been tough for us with a lot of personal things happening. We don’t usually share much, but this has been particularly stressful, filled with drama and a lot of questioning.
One thing that keeps standing out is how much some people lack **respect**. A few days ago, a neighbor came over, and while we were outside, we saw a motorcyclist going down Powerline Rd, which is closed off and impassable. He reached the end, turned around, and instead of heading back the proper way, he cut right through our property, ignoring “No Trespassing” signs and us standing there.
When we shouted that he was on private property, he flipped us off and continued to the end of our driveway. He then turned back toward us, but when Brent and our neighbor started walking down the driveway, the motorcyclist finally turned and left.
Now, if he had simply stopped and said he was lost or thought it was a road, we would have gladly told him to go ahead. But he chose to be disrespectful, and for what? Respect really does go a long way, and I just don’t understand why it’s so hard for some people to show it.
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#RespectMatters, #CommunityFirst, #PrivateProperty, #NoTrespassing, #StandYourGround, #PositiveVibesOnly, #NeighborsMatter, #MotorcycleLife, #ChooseRespect, #WestMesaLiving, #PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #KaHoonCampground, #EventCenterLife, #RuralLife, #RespectGoesALongWay
Rehearsing in the studio with wonderful campers visiting from Switzerland and celebrating retirement travel!
Yesterday was a busy day in the studio as we spent most of it rehearsing. In between, we had the pleasure of hosting a couple of wonderful campers. It’s always enjoyable giving tours and visiting with guests who come from all walks of life. One of our campers was a father and son who had just embarked on a two-week vacation to tour the USA, all the way from Switzerland! We were honored to be their first stop on such a special journey. Another camper had just retired from truck driving and is now planning to enjoy all the sights and experiences they had missed while on the road. We wish both of them the best on their travels!
If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat with a welcoming community, be sure to visit us at **Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center**.
Check out our upcoming events and learn more on our website:
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #KaHoonCampground, #NewMexicoCamping, #OffGridLiving, #DesertAdventure, #CampgroundLife, #AdvocatusDiaboli, #GrimLeaferBand, #MusicInTheDesert, #TravelNewMexico, #FamilyCamping, #RetirementTravel, #OutdoorRecreation, #DesertGetaway, #ExploreUSA
