**Life Off-Grid: Balancing Sunlight, Solar Power, and Community in the Desert**
With the last bits of snow now melted away, the desert sun is shining brighter each day, though not quite enough to keep us powered through the night. Living off-grid means relying on solar energy, but even here in the New Mexico desert, sunlight isn’t always a guarantee. We’re planning to build another solar array soon to increase our energy capacity, but timing is everything. On the rare calm days with mild weather, other responsibilities often take priority.
### Building Our Off-Grid Community
We’ve also welcomed a few long-term members to our off-grid community, and it’s been rewarding to see them embrace the membership program. Here, members find a unique balance of freedom and security. They each have their own small piece of land to call home, creating a space that reflects their individual personalities and needs. But there’s also the reassurance of nearby support. Members can turn to one another for advice, help with projects, or even just a friendly conversation, while still enjoying privacy and personal space.
### Benefits of Off-Grid Membership
Our membership program isn’t just about living off-grid—it’s about building a community that values independence and self-reliance, while also supporting one another. Members experience:
– **Personal Freedom**: The freedom to live off-grid, with few restrictions, allowing members to create a lifestyle that suits them.
– **Community Support**: Having others nearby who understand off-grid living and are willing to lend a hand or offer advice.
– **Privacy**: The ability to enjoy their own space while being part of a close-knit community.
As we continue to build out our solar capabilities and enhance our facilities, our community remains at the heart of what we do. Here, we’ve created a space for those who seek both independence and camaraderie, and it’s rewarding to see others enjoy this way of life as much as we do.
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #SolarPowerStruggles #WinterInTheDesert #NoPowerProblems #LivingSimply #CommunityLife #RVLiving #EcoFriendlyLife #SnowyDesert #SolarEnergy #KaHoonCampground #OffGridCommunity #MakingItWork #LifeUnplugged
Tag: solar power
Morning Off-Grid in the New Mexico Desert | Solar Power, Coffee, and Winter Chill
**Desert Morning Off-Grid**
The sun peeks over mountains wide,
Charging batteries, our faithful guide.
Snow is melting, earth laid bare,
In crisp, chilled air, desert flair.
The cold clings close, a stubborn guest,
But heat hums gently, granting rest.
Coffee brews, rich and bold,
Warming hands in the morning cold.
Off-grid life, a steady beat,
In desert sands, sun and sleet.
With every dawn, we find our way,
Living free, day by day.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#OffGridLife #DesertLiving #NewMexicoDesert #SolarPower #SustainableLiving #CoffeeTime #SnowInTheDesert #MorningRoutine #EcoFriendly #RVLife #LivingSimply #DesertSunrise #NatureLife #MinimalistLiving #LifeUnplugged
Surviving a Winter Storm Off-Grid in the New Mexico Desert | Energy Conservation & Staying Warm
Life Off-Grid in the New Mexico Desert: Winter Storm Watch and Energy Conservation
When people picture New Mexico, they often think of warm days and sunny skies. But here in the desert, winter can bring a real chill, and this week is no exception. We’re currently under a winter storm watch, and three days of cloudy skies have made energy conservation a top priority. Living off-grid, we rely on solar power, which means every bit of energy counts.
### Solar Conservation During Cloudy Days
On cloudy days like these, we make careful adjustments to reduce our energy use and extend our stored solar power. Here’s what that looks like:
1. **No Rehearsals or High Energy Activities**: Normally, our animatronics and music studio take a lot of power, but they’re off-limits on low-sun days. That means no rehearsals or other activities that use a lot of electricity.
2. **Minimizing Device Charging**: We limit charging to essentials only. Staying connected is important, but unnecessary devices stay unplugged until the sun comes out.
3. **Reducing Light Use**: Evenings feel cozier with fewer lights, and the RV’s own batteries provide backup. However, we conserve those too, as the RV’s charging system can drain the main solar battery if we’re not careful.
4. **No Microwave Use**: Our RV came with a microwave, but we found it to be more useful as bread storage than as an appliance! This high-energy device stays off for good.
### Staying Warm Without Power
To avoid using up our propane too quickly, we bundle up in layers instead of running the heater. The propane heater is our last resort, so until it’s absolutely necessary, sweaters, blankets, and hot beverages do the trick.
Life off-grid comes with unique challenges, especially when the weather takes a turn. But with a few adjustments, we can weather the storm and enjoy the desert winter from the comfort of our cozy RV.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#LifeOffGrid #WinterInTheDesert #PlateauHameDeColquhoun #KaHoonCampground #DesertLiving #SolarPower #EnergyConservation #RVLife #OffGridLife #WinterStormWatch #MinimalistLiving #EcoFriendly #PropaneHeating #SustainableLiving #NewMexicoDesert
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
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
Busy Labor Day weekend at Ka-Hoon Campground with community BBQ, camping, and lending a helping hand.
Hope everyone is having a great Labor Day weekend! We don’t have too much planned, but we’re excited to have a bunch of folks from the community over for a BBQ today.
There isn’t much news to report, but we’re definitely enjoying the cooler days. Brent has been busy helping out around the community, which he loves doing. He recently helped a neighbor install a new breaker box and wire in some GFI plugs to support their dialysis machine. He also spent most of the day driving another neighbor, who doesn’t have a vehicle right now, to town for errands and groceries.
We’ve had a nice weekend with campers enjoying the cooler weather. Yesterday, we took some time to fix the solar lights that the cattle love to knock down.
Last night was Anne’s first real shift at Love’s, and she seemed to enjoy it. It was a bit tough on us, as we worried about her working the late shift. Thankfully, a few folks from our community stopped by the store to check on her and then reported back to us, which really helped ease our minds.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone!
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #KaHoonCampgroundAndEventCenter, #LaborDayWeekend, #OffGridLiving, #CommunitySupport, #DesertLife, #CampgroundFun, #BBQParty, #HelpYourNeighbor, #RVers, #SolarLiving, #OutdoorAdventures, #DesertCamping, #WeekendVibes, #CommunityBonding
June Newsletter 2024
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center Newsletter – June 1920
Recap of Recent Events
Our Music in the Desert Saturday Talent Show and Karaoke was an immense success! Attendees came from Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and nearby locales to enjoy a fantastic evening. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who supported us.
A special note of appreciation goes to Advocatus Diaboli and Shamshini for their remarkable performances, especially their willingness to sing audience-requested songs on the spot.
Don’t miss the next Music in the Desert Saturday in July! Come camp, sing, play, dance, share poetry and stories, or just relax and enjoy the beautiful New Mexico skies.
June 6 Clapper show at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center was a smashing success, with nearly 2,000 viewers tuning in! Despite temperatures soaring above 100 degrees, we started later than planned to ensure the safety and comfort of our performers, guests, and crew.
Upcoming Events
Drum Circle on the Longest Day of the Year
- Date: Friday, June 21
- Gate Opens: 5 PM
Description:
Join us in celebrating the longest day of the year by camping, sitting around a bonfire, and drumming. Participate in our drum circle to welcome summer and bring peace to the rest of the year!
What to Bring:
- Drums or other instruments
- Camping gear
- Food and beverages for the snack bar to help keep everyone hydrated and well-fed
Registration:
Includes optional camping. Don’t forget your drums or other instruments!
Members get free admission and camping.
Members Only Events
Usually held on the 4th Saturday of each month. June’s Drumming Circle is open to all members. Members camp for free.
Celebrate the 4th of July Ka-Hoon Campground Style! 🇺🇸🎉
Join us on July 6th for a one-of-a-kind celebration of Independence Day at Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center! Enjoy live music by Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band, gather around the bonfires, and indulge in delicious food from our Scottish scone pizza vendor offering cheese or pepperoni, along with hotdogs.
Camping Options:
- 2 Nights Camping: $22.00 (Good for up to 5 attendees)
- Saturday Night Camping Only: $12.00 (Good for up to 5 attendees)
- Saturday Only Non-Camping: $5.00 per person (Gate sales only)
Music in the Desert Talent Show and Karaoke
The next event will be on July 13th.
- Gates Open: 3 PM
- Activities: Karaoke and Talent Show
- Details: Bring your instruments and talent! For just $12.00, you can bring up to 5 people for an evening of fun. The price includes admission and a campsite.
Membership
Enhance your experience by joining the Ka-Hoon Membership Program for just $42.00 per year for up to 5 attendees. Enjoy exclusive perks and benefits to elevate your time spent at Ka-Hoon Plateau Hame De Colquhoun. Visit our website for more details: www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com.
General Announcements
We’ve been dealing with the heat and working on staying cool.
A few solar issues arose recently, including a cable being torn off the combiner box. We are unsure how this happened but are currently working on better safeguarding the area to prevent future incidents.
Advocatus Diaboli and the Grim Leafer Band will be performing at Stage Luchetti on June 29th.
Needed
Additionally, we are in need of an old 10×10 canopy frame (or equivalent). We don’t need the top; the frame doesn’t need to be perfect but should be repairable. We plan to decorate it with fairy lights and set it up in the Cahoots Courtyard. If anyone has something that could work, please contact us.
Thank you all for your continued support!
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
Father’s Day at Ka-Hoon Campground: Off-Grid Living Adventures
Happy Father’s Day from Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center
Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful fathers! Today was an errand-filled day for us as we headed into town for groceries, laundry, and showers.
Yesterday, we discovered a cable had come off the combiner box from a set of solar panels. We made sure to flip the main breaker before starting the repair. However, while we were in town today, we received a notification that the inverter was offline. It dawned on us that we had forgotten to flip the breaker back on. With temperatures soaring over 100 degrees and no fans running inside, we rushed home, concerned about our dogs getting too hot.
By the time we arrived, the power had been off for an hour, but thankfully, the RV was still 25 degrees cooler than outside, and our dogs were happy to see us. While we are away, we monitor the temperatures inside and use cameras to check in on the dogs. When the inverter goes offline, we lose internet connectivity, but we do receive a warning indicating the inverter is nearing our shutdown point of 50%.
Despite the challenges of off-grid living, we are grateful for these experiences and the opportunity to celebrate Father’s Day with our loved ones.
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#KaHoonCampground #KaHoonEventCenter #PlateauHameDeColquhoun #OffGridLiving #FathersDay #SolarPower #RVSafety #RenewableEnergy #SummerHeat #DogSafety
Adapting to Off-Grid Living: Challenges and Rewards at Ka-Hoon Campground
Today marks the third cloudy day in a row, and with the heat, it’s been harder to conserve electricity. We’ve been running fans, and the fridge has to work overtime to stay cool. Plus, we spent a lot of time working in the studio. So, it wasn’t a surprise when we woke up this morning to find we don’t have electricity. But that’s fine. Today is cooler, the sky will clear, the sun will come out, and we always have the option of firing up the generator.
Electricity is nice, but we’ve learned to work around these types of days. Before moving here to New Mexico, we lived at an Environmental Education Center where we site-managed and worked on the music production side. We started out in an 8.5×16 fish house that we had converted into a cabin. Before buying the cabin, we lived in tents on the land.
Electricity was limited in our cabin. Though we didn’t have solar power, we did have shore power, but it required running a 200-foot heavy power cable. This meant our electricity was limited; we ran one LED lamp and a TV, and we used propane for heat and cooking.
These experiences have taught us how to adapt and make the most of what we have. Living off-grid has its challenges, but it also offers a unique and rewarding lifestyle that we wouldn’t trade for anything.
Www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
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#PlateauHameDeColquhoun, #KaHoonCampground, #KaHoonEventCenter, #OffGridLiving, #SustainableLiving, #SolarPower, #TinyHouseLiving, #EnvironmentalEducation, #OffGridChallenges, #NewMexicoLife, #EcoFriendlyLiving, #CampLife, #SelfSufficiency, #MinimalistLiving, #GreenEnergy
Off-Grid Living: Insights from Families in the New Mexico Desert
Embracing Off-Grid Living: Insights from Two Families in the New Mexico Desert
In the heart of the New Mexico Desert, off-grid living takes on a whole new meaning. Join us as we delve into the experiences of two families who have chosen to embrace this unique lifestyle. From sustainable practices to the challenges and rewards of desert living, discover the insights they have to share.
Off-Grid Lifestyle in the Desert:
Living off-grid in the New Mexico Desert presents a myriad of challenges and opportunities. From harnessing solar power for energy to conserving water and embracing sustainable practices, these families have mastered the art of self-sufficiency in the desert landscape.
Despite the vast expanse of the desert, off-grid living fosters a sense of community among like-minded individuals. These families come together to share resources, knowledge, and support, creating a tight-knit community bonded by their shared commitment to sustainable living.
Living off-grid in the desert is not without its challenges. Harsh weather conditions, limited resources, and the need for self-reliance require careful planning and resilience. However, amidst the challenges lie abundant rewards – the freedom to live in harmony with nature, the satisfaction of reducing environmental impact, and the unparalleled beauty of the desert landscape.
Through their off-grid journey, these families have learned valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of living in harmony with nature. From embracing simplicity to cultivating a deeper connection to the land, their experiences serve as inspiration for others seeking to embark on a similar path.
As the sun sets over the New Mexico Desert, the off-grid families reflect on their journey with gratitude and humility. Despite the challenges they face, they remain steadfast in their commitment to living in harmony with the land. Their story serves as a testament to the power of resilience, community, and the enduring spirit of off-grid living in the desert.
http://www.plateauhamedecolquhoun.com
#OffGridLiving #NewMexicoDesert #SustainableLiving #OffGridCommunity #SolarPower #WaterConservation #SelfSufficiency #DesertLandscape #Resilience #HarmonyWithNature
Ka-Hoon Campground and Event Center 