Saying a Bittersweet Goodbye to The Beast RV

I definitely cried seeing the Beast hauled off today. That RV was more than just a vehicle; it was the foundation of our off-grid sanctuary here at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun. It carried us through countless desert nights, high winds, and beautiful mornings framing Ladrone Peak. However, I am incredibly proud to say I was able to drive him one last time before the tow truck arrived, even if it was a very short drive down our dirt road.

Transitioning to the Music Studio: Our Temporary Off-Grid Home

When nature forces your hand, you have to find shelter where you can. We are officially spending our first nights sleeping inside the music studio. It is a tight squeeze and a massive transition, but it serves as our temporary home while we actively look for a replacement camper setup. Staring out at the incredible high-desert sunrise this morning helped remind us why we fell in love with this isolated landscape in the first place.

As we say goodbye to the past, we already have our sights firmly set on a replacement. We are looking for a new rig that we hope will help us create just as many—if not more—unforgettable memories under the New Mexico stars. Out here, the community keeps us moving forward.

How to Support the Mesa and Follow Our Journey

While we rebuild our physical footprint at Ka-Hoon Campground, our digital stage is still going strong. You can stay connected, support our off-grid survival journey, and listen to the soundtrack of the mesa by checking out our official hubs:

Plan Your High-Desert Escape: Book a primitive campsite, support the Dusty Nail General Store, or join our community membership program at Plateau Hame de Colquhoun.

Stream Independent Music: Listen to the original tracks that track our desert life, including the perfect song for today’s transition, “I Am… I Said,” at Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band.

Catch a Live Broadcast: Join Colquhoun Entertainment for our weekly live streams on TikTok and YouTube, featuring “Morning Mirage” coffee chats and our flagship “Music in the Desert” live concert series.

What Kind of Camper Should Replace The Beast?

We want to hear from you, our incredible community of travelers, campers, and music fans. What kind of rig or overlanding setup do you think handles the 11 miles of dirt roads and intense weather of the West Mesa best? Leave a comment below with your best recommendations, tips for building an off-grid studio setup, or your favorite memories of The Beast!

Baseball-Size Hail Hits Ka-Hoon Campground

We were hit by a powerful hail storm at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center in Central New Mexico, and the damage left behind was extensive.

The hail reached baseball size, pounding the property and our RV with incredible force. It sounded like bullets hitting the roof.

Hail Storm Damage to Our RV

Our RV took significant damage during the storm.

RV damage includes:

Multiple roof vents smashed through
Skylights damaged or destroyed
Damage to the room
Openings that required emergency protection from rain
Tarp placed over the damaged area to help keep water out

The RV damage has already been reported to insurance.

Hail Damaged Our Car

The hail also damaged our car.

Vehicle damage includes:

Broken windshield
Antenna ripped off
Additional hail damage that will be assessed

After the storm, we were left trying to figure out how we’re going to handle all of the repairs.

Two Solar Panels Were Destroyed

Because Ka-Hoon is an off-grid property, the solar system is especially important to us.

The storm broke two solar panels and ripped wiring loose.

Losing solar equipment isn’t simply cosmetic damage for an off-grid property. Those panels are part of the system that provides our electricity.

Damage to Anne’s RV and Trailer

The storm also damaged other vehicles and structures on the property.

Additional damage includes:

Broken window on Anne’s RV
Damaged skylights on Anne’s RV
Trailer skylight completely gone

Real Hail Storm Footage From Central New Mexico

This video shows the actual hail storm and the damage left behind afterward.

Seeing the hail coming down is one thing. Walking around afterward and seeing roof vents, skylights, windows, a windshield, and solar panels damaged is something completely different.

We’re safe, and that’s the most important thing. But we’re exhausted and now have a lot of cleanup, documentation, insurance claims, and repairs ahead of us.

What Happens Next?

For now, we’re taking everything one step at a time.

Our priorities are:

Keep the damaged RV areas protected from rain.
Document all of the storm damage.
Work with insurance on the RV claim.
Assess the vehicle damage.
Determine what needs to happen with the damaged solar panels and wiring.
Begin repairs as we are able.

We’re hoping that somewhere in all of this, something finally goes in our favor.

Tag: RV storm damage

Goodbye to The Beast: Moving Into Our Off-Grid Music Studio After Devastating Storm Damage