Campfire Chat: Real Conversations Around a Virtual Campfire
Looking for a place where you can share experiences, ask questions, and connect with others interested in off-grid living?
Join Campfire Chat on Colquhoun Entertainment every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 12 PM MDT.
What Is Campfire Chat?
Campfire Chat is an open discussion where people gather to talk about life, off-grid experiences, homesteading, self-reliance, and whatever topics naturally emerge.
There are no scripts and no rigid agenda. The conversation evolves based on the people participating.
Topics We Often Discuss
Off-grid living
Homesteading
Solar power systems
Water collection and storage
Gardening and food production
Rural living
Desert life
Community building
Personal experiences
Current events
Music and creativity
Why People Join
Many people are looking for authentic conversations and practical knowledge from others who have walked a similar path.
Campfire Chat offers:
A supportive community
Real-world experiences
Diverse viewpoints
Honest discussions
A welcoming environment
Join Us Live
Whether you’re currently living off-grid or simply exploring the idea, there’s always room around the campfire.
Looking for real conversations about off-grid living, homesteading, self-reliance, and alternative lifestyles?
Join us today at 12 PM MDT on TikTok through Colquhoun Entertainment for another Campfire Off-Grid Chat.
Unlike heavily scripted shows, Campfire Chat is a place to drop your filters, share your experiences, ask questions, and see where the conversation takes us.
What Is Campfire Chat?
Campfire Chat is an open discussion focused on topics such as:
Off-grid living
Homesteading
Self-reliance
Preparedness
Sustainable living
Alternative lifestyles
Rural living
Current events
Community building
Every discussion is shaped by the people who participate.
Why People Join Campfire Chat
Many people are looking for alternatives to the fast-paced modern lifestyle.
Campfire Chat provides an opportunity to connect with others who are interested in:
Producing their own food
Living more independently
Learning practical skills
Building resilient communities
Exploring life beyond conventional systems
Join the Conversation
Whether you are already living off-grid or simply exploring the idea, everyone is welcome.
Today’s discussion begins at 12 PM MDT on TikTok through Colquhoun Entertainment.
Advocatus Diaboli invites you to pull up a chair around the virtual campfire and become part of the conversation.
Off-Grid Living Reality: What People Don’t See Behind the Quiet Views
Off-grid life is often pictured as peaceful sunrises, quiet evenings, and a slower pace. And in many ways, that’s true. But there’s another side to living on rural land that doesn’t always make it into photos and short videos.
The work is constant. The responsibility never pauses. And when health changes unexpectedly, the entire rhythm of life on the land has to adjust.
This is a look at what that season really feels like.
The Physical Reality of Homestead and Off-Grid Work
Living off-grid means:
Hauling, lifting, building, repairing
Long hours outside in the elements
Solving problems without quick access to help
Constant maintenance of land, furry kids, and structures
It’s rewarding work—but it’s demanding work. Over time, that physical demand adds up in ways you don’t always notice right away.
When Exhaustion Isn’t “Just Part of the Work”
For a long time, it’s easy to assume fatigue is simply part of the lifestyle. After all, off-grid and homestead living isn’t meant to be easy.
But sometimes:
Fatigue becomes deeper than normal tiredness
Recovery takes longer than it should
Symptoms start to stack instead of fade
That’s when you realize something else may be going on beyond the workload itself.
The Hardest Part: The Unknown
Doctor visits, tests, imaging, and waiting for answers create a different kind of strain.
Not knowing:
What’s connected
What’s temporary
What needs to change
…can be harder than the physical symptoms themselves.
Especially when your entire life is built around physical capability and daily hands-on work.
Adjusting the Pace Without Giving Up the Life
One of the biggest lessons in this season has been learning that slowing down doesn’t mean quitting.
It means:
Prioritizing energy carefully
Choosing what truly needs to be done each day
Letting go of the idea that everything must be done at once
Accepting a different pace without losing the purpose
The land is still here. The life is still here. It just looks different right now.
Off-Grid Life Is a Love-Hate Relationship
There’s deep love for this lifestyle. But there’s also honesty in admitting:
It can be physically overwhelming
It demands more than most people realize
It exposes health limitations quickly
It requires constant adaptation
And that’s part of the reality rarely talked about.
Still Moving Forward, Just Differently
This season isn’t about dramatic change. It’s about quiet adjustment.
Still living on the land. Still building. Still moving forward.
Just at a pace that matches what life requires right now.
Off-Grid Inspiration: Finding Freedom in Simplicity
Living off-grid is more than just a lifestyle choice — it’s a journey of **resilience, creativity, and freedom**. Every challenge faced without relying on the grid becomes a reminder of what we’re truly capable of when we step outside the ordinary.
When you live off-grid, every sunrise brings new lessons. From building systems that power our homes, to reusing resources in creative ways, each step moves us closer to a life of independence and sustainability. It’s not always easy. Harsh weather, repairs, and unexpected setbacks can test our patience. But those very challenges become the source of strength and inspiration.
The heart of off-grid living is **connection** — to the land, to nature, and to ourselves. It’s about slowing down enough to notice the sound of the wind, the rhythm of rain, or the stillness of the stars above. In those quiet moments, we discover that we don’t need as much as we once thought.
For us, inspiration comes from knowing that every system we build — from solar setups to water collection, from gardens to simple off-grid showers — is another step toward **freedom and sustainability**. Each project carries a purpose: to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live in harmony with the environment.
Off-grid living isn’t about running away from the world. It’s about creating a life where **freedom, resilience, and nature all work together.** And that’s the kind of inspiration worth sharing.
My dad always said, *“You can tell how poor someone is by the number of dogs they have.”* Well, here we are again with four dogs. Does that make us really poor? Financially, sure—we’re not rich by any means. But if I could live without money, I’d be perfectly happy.
The truth is, how much money you do or don’t have doesn’t define your wealth. A rich man can be poor in spirit, unhappy in life, and never truly free. On the other hand, someone with very little money can live a life overflowing with joy, love, and meaning.
For me, real wealth is found in living the life we’ve built out here in the desert. We created our land so people from all walks of life can come together, feel safe, and simply be themselves. It’s a place to laugh, to connect, to meet new friends, and to escape the pressure of the outside world.
That, my friends, is wealth. Not in a bank account—but in the heart, in the connections we share, and in the freedom to live authentically.
Life has a way of shifting priorities, and lately, we’ve been in full-on healing and doctor appointment mode. While there’s not a ton of new progress to report here at the campground, we’re still here—showing up day by day.
Between medical visits and recovery, our hands have been full, but that doesn’t mean the campground is closed. In fact, we’re still open and welcoming campers! Projects may be moving a bit slower than usual, but we’re continuing to chip away as energy and time allow.
Sometimes, life steps in and reminds you to pause, focus on what truly matters, and give yourself grace. Thank you to everyone who’s supported us during this time—we’re still building, still dreaming, and always grateful.
Today was a beautiful day—perfect for getting things done and spending some quality time outdoors. Before taking Anne to work, we took some time to clean up the yard, making our space a little more organized and refreshing. It always feels good to keep things tidy, especially out here in the desert where the elements can quickly take over.
After the work was done, we made sure to enjoy the day by playing with our furry kids. They always bring so much joy and energy, reminding us to take a break and appreciate the little moments.
Living out here, every day is a balance between work and enjoying the simple things. The weather has been great, and it’s days like these that make life in the desert feel just right.
Rehearsal, Repairs, and Holiday Cheer: Advocatus Diaboli Prepares for the Holidays
Yesterday’s rehearsal was productive, albeit a bit chilly at first. Our studio warmed up as the session went on, and we spent 3-4 hours refining our set. Rehearsal time varies depending on the complexity of the show—whether I’m using animatronics or relying on the “cheats” I designed as substitutes for them.
This time, we rehearsed in the warmer part of the studio. The animatronics area, housed in another container, is sealed but not insulated, and after our last shows, we hadn’t set it up again. With colder weather, staying warm took priority. However, we’re setting up the animatronics area today or tomorrow to run a full rehearsal in preparation for Saturday’s holiday show.
### Upcoming Show at Black Wall Arts and Production
This Saturday, December 21, we’ll perform at Black Wall Arts and Production in Albuquerque. The show features three 40-minute sets, including new songs and festive holiday-only pieces. Doors open at 6 p.m., and you can expect a night of bawdy, humorous holiday cheer.
### Tackling Off-Grid Challenges: Truck Repairs
After rehearsal, Brent planned to work on our pickup truck with a neighbor. The truck’s heater hasn’t been working, making late-night drives home from shows a frosty 30-degree ordeal. We purchased a small plug-in window defroster for temporary relief, but it barely works. The neighbor suspected the heater core might be clogged or broken, and they planned to investigate further.
Unfortunately, plans changed, and the neighbor canceled after we’d already left for haircuts. While Brent stayed behind, ready to tackle repairs, he ended up with some unexpected alone time—a rare treat in our busy lives.
### A Holiday Show You Don’t Want to Miss
Join us this Saturday for an unforgettable night of humor and holiday spirit. Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band are ready to bring some much-needed cheer with original songs and parodies that are sure to make you laugh. We hope to see you there!
### Event Details – **Date:** Saturday, December 21 – **Location:** Black Wall Arts and Production, Albuquerque – **Doors Open:** 6 p.m.
Support local art, embrace the humor of the season, and enjoy a night of unique entertainment!
**Living Off-Grid: Answering Common Questions About Water, Showers, and Life in the Desert**
One of the most common questions we receive is, *”How do you get water?”* The answer is simple: we haul it. Typically, we fill up four 5-gallon water jugs at Twice the Ice in town. In the winter, this lasts us about four days; in the summer, we refill every other day, depending on usage and the season.
During summer, water usage increases due to higher temperatures and more outdoor activities. While we’ve hauled up to 300 gallons at a time before, it’s tough on our 1984 F250 truck. With its 7.0L diesel engine, the truck can handle the weight, but the wear and tear on suspension over rugged roads make it impractical. The cost of repairs would outweigh the convenience, especially since most of that water would go toward showers.
### Why Not Install a Well? Drilling a well is far beyond our budget. Wells in this area are incredibly expensive due to the depth required. One neighbor drilled 1,000 feet, faced multiple priming issues, and spent a small fortune on the project.
### What About Water Catchment? In theory, water catchment sounds great. In practice, living in the desert makes it less feasible. Rainfall here is sparse and unreliable. One of our neighbors installed a catchment system on their Earthship but eventually uninstalled and sold it because it wasn’t worth the effort.
Many in the area use cisterns to store hauled water, which is something we’ve considered. We currently have the capacity to store up to 1,000 gallons using IBC totes, which is sufficient for our needs for now.
### How Do We Handle Dishes? We wash dishes much like anyone else: heating water on the stove, using dish soap, and scrubbing in the sink. Some people in off-grid setups use baking soda for “dry washing,” but that doesn’t feel effective to us. We’ve also tried products like Dawn’s dry wash soap, but it was expensive and didn’t leave the dishes feeling clean. We prefer the tried-and-true method of hot water and soap.
### Why Don’t We Show More of Ourselves in Videos? While these posts and videos share insights into our life, we try to keep certain aspects of our personal lives private. Our content focuses on the campground, the desert lifestyle, and our experiences. We’ve tried featuring ourselves more, but honestly, we lead a simple life. Like everyone else, we have ups and downs—fighting, laughing, getting sick, and loving. We find the beauty of nature around us to be far more captivating than our day-to-day routines.
### How Do We Shower? We’ve shared a video about where we shower, which is usually every other day. While some people stretch it to once a week, we find that even every other day is pushing it. As soon as we figure out a better way to haul water, we plan to complete our off-grid shower setup.
### Staying Warm in the Desert Winter Another frequent question is, *”How do you stay warm?”* We use a large Buddy Heater connected to a 20lb propane tank. For safety reasons, we don’t run it while we sleep. Instead, we use it in the evenings before bed and for a few hours in the morning to cut the chill. At night, we stay cozy under blankets, with the added warmth of our dogs. We’ve also installed smoke and CO2 detectors for safety.
### Have More Questions? We hope this blog answers some of the most common questions about living off-grid in the desert. If you’re curious about something else, feel free to leave a comment or send us a message. We’re always happy to share more about our unique lifestyle.
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 