Off Grid? really? (soft rant)

[wagoneer]

One of the beautiful reasons for going off grid to me is no reliance on anything especially noisy machines complicated set ups high maintenance environment keeping it simple works best for me

 

[caretaker]

i hate to burst your bubble but, their is no such thing as going off grid, and right now your using a machine,and prolly you are surrounded by a great big machine,,,,,what you mean is you like the independence,self reliance,being able to make every penny go way farther then the average person.

 

[wagoneer]

Sump'n like that

 

[rvpopeye]

I'm not totally off grid but I sure am happy with where I am .
At least till it starts snowing again !!!

 

[John61CT]

Going 100% off the grid is a wonderful goal, even if it's for just a few days at a time.

A couple of weeks even better, and that's when you find out what you're willing to sacrifice for simplicity.

Those wanting all their mod cons have a much bigger more expensive turtle shell to haul around and take care of.

I lived in "outback" Australia, actually just two hours from a small town, for many years with no "grid" or council services other than the road maintenance. Raised free-range home-schooled kids, I'm pretty sure they'd agree with me those were the best years of all our lives.

 

[TrainChaser]

caretaker: "i hate to burst your bubble but, their is no such thing as going off grid, and right now your using a machine..."

Well, I hate to burst YOUR bubble, but "the grid" is short for "the electrical grid", NOT for every source of power known to man.

If Wagoneer doesn't have an electrical wire running his rig, he's off the grid.

 

[John61CT]

The idea of "no such thing as off grid" is a response to preppers co-opting the sustainable energy movement.

The point is really fragile distribution chains like food and fossil fuels are very difficult to survive without.

And ammo of course.

 

[jonsun]

preppers and steak rolled in a tortilla....mmmm

 

[ChickadeeJP]

With Russia practicing electrical grid takeovers in Ukraine after a failed attempt here a few years ago, the more self reliant we are the better. I hope to have solar power for my RV so that I won't need to rely on plugging in anywhere, though the cost and environmental aspects are important to me too. I could see being off grid to include water reliance, be it a well connection or the knowledge to use water straight from the source, those would be important too.

 

[Putts]

One of the beautiful reasons for going off grid to me is no reliance on anything especially noisy machines complicated set ups high maintenance environment keeping it simple works best for me

Seems like starting a thread like this may unsimplify things.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

My hotspot's battery died in the middle of the night last night... at first I was really bummed and a bit PO'd at myself for not charging it before I left home! However, as soon as I shut off all the electronics and laid down on the bunk, the heavenly sight of millions of stars and thousands of lightning bugs brought me right into the moment and soothed my soul like nothing has in a very long time!! In the trees it looked like my very own fourth of July party with fireworks going off every second and in the night sky, the lightning bugs were shooting like meteors. It was simply divine!!

 

[Cammalu]

That sound like heaven! Wish I could have been there to see it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ballenxj]

Being truly off grid is a wonderful concept that is not for everybody.
For those of you that think you're off grid, wait til your batteries die, your internet and cell service vaporize, and you have no means of driving to the store to replenish whatever. Now you will be truly off grid. Self reliance will take on a whole new meaning. Can you deal with that?

 

[Reno]

My hotspot's battery died in the middle of the night last night... at first I was really bummed and a bit PO'd at myself for not charging it before I left home! However, as soon as I shut off all the electronics and laid down on the bunk, the heavenly sight of millions of stars and thousands of lightning bugs brought me right into the moment and soothed my soul like nothing has in a very long time!! In the trees it looked like my very own fourth of July party with fireworks going off every second and in the night sky, the lightning bugs were shooting like meteors. It was simply divine!!

Do you actually live in a van? Or are you sleeping outdoors without a tent?

Sounds nice, but I'd be concerned about bears and mosquitoes.

I sleep in my van with the doors closed and locked; the shades are closed and I see no stars, fireflies, bears, etc.

The smartphone gets charged from the starter battery. Haven't ever needed a jump start (YMMV).

Also, I assume this delightful evening was not experienced at a Wal-Mart or truck stop parking lot.

Best wishes

 

[John61CT]

Spending time right out in nature is very important for the soul.

Comfort is irrelevant to me, and safety issues way overblown, Walmart & trucking parking lots are far more dangerous than any wilderness.

 

[jimindenver]

Being off grid electrically has never been easier or less expensive. The simpler the need, the less expensive it is. Off grid for water can be done but make sure you are within the boundaries of the law. Often taking from a source or even water catchment is not legal. Being self sustained for food requires land for crops and ranching/hunting but is certainly doable. Once you have that a septic system is just a expense like solar is.

My trailer is off grid electrically but it isn't practical for everyone to have a system like mine. Then again not everyone has my needs either. You can easily provide for the basics with a solar system costing in the range of $200. Fresh water, food, sewer and trash it is just less expensive and more practical to use what is readily available in my situation than it is to buy land and homestead it. It would be the end of my mobile lifestyle.

 

[AbuelaLoca]

Do you actually live in a van? Or are you sleeping outdoors without a tent?

I am in the process of building out my van. I have windows all the way around, therefore I could see the sky from my bed.

Sounds nice, but I'd be concerned about bears and mosquitoes.

I'm in Mid-Missouri right now and while there have been several black bear sightings, it's not a concern. As for mosquitoes, yes, I sprayed myself when I got to the park... I'm not sure why they didn't get into the van... maybe I'm not very tasty?? I will be making window covers from noseeum screen soon, though!

I sleep in my van with the doors closed and locked; the shades are closed and I see no stars, fireflies, bears, etc.

My doors were closed and locked; the reflectix was on all the windows while my interior was lit up, but I removed the one next to my bed after the lights were out. I also put it back before I went to sleep so the sun wouldn't wake me.

The smartphone gets charged from the starter battery. Haven't ever needed a jump start (YMMV).

The lighter sleeve is not working in the van and I'll need to get that replaced. Lots of little things need to be done! But I have about a year before I want to be full time on the road.

Also, I assume this delightful evening was not experienced at a Wal-Mart or truck stop parking lot.

LOL... Nope, it was in a conservation area not too far from my home. No light pollution there at all!

Best wishes

To you as well!!

 

[lenny flank]

Also, I assume this delightful evening was not experienced at a Wal-Mart or truck stop parking lot.

I'm pretty sure the sky over the Walmart at night is the same as everyone else's sky.  

(Though of course in any city the light pollution limits our ability to see stars in the night sky.)

 

[AbuelaLoca]

Even in this tiny rural town the light pollution is terrible! I have to go about 2 miles outside of town, in the corn fields, in order to see a sky like I saw last night! And they won't let me camp in the corn field!

 

[GotSmart]

Even in this tiny rural town the light pollution is terrible! I have to go about 2 miles outside of town, in the corn fields, in order to see a sky like I saw last night! And they won't let me camp in the corn field!

There is a reason...



[font=Verdana, Arial]Mighty mighty pleasin my pappy's corn squeezin [/font]