How I Became A Homesteader - Rainbow Ranch

in #homesteading7 years ago (edited)

Most people's journey to homesteading starts with them purchasing land or selling their house in town. Not mine! I must admit I'm really excited to tell you all about this part of my life! After I left off from my previous story I ended up on this beautiful 60 acres just on the outskirts of Kelowna.

I have about 20 gigs of photos from this place so I'm going to have to make this into a few posts!

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You wouldn't be able to tell how close town was without this perspective. It's like a hidden treasure!

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I absolutely adored this place and it will forever hold a special place in my heart

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It used to be a huge cattle ranch. A very bio-diverse area featuring so many different plants and wildlife. - Lots of foraging and nutritious pasture. And a lovely creek

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This was our living room until we got the house sorted haha

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I arrived here with a litter of 8 puppies alongside the sanctuary critters (ferrets/sugar gliders/reptiles) which you can read about here and a 26' uhaul worth of stuff - Crazy I know

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I have a bunch of great videos of these puppies I will post

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The house was in pretty terrible condition - it was being used as a grow house for cannabis, there were a dozen 1000watt high pressure sodium lights setup. It was pretty extensive!

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This is the basement that would sometimes flood, had to setup the pump and pressure tank. Was an interesting learning experience.

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We set to work turning each of the rooms into animal bedrooms - that's the soon to be glider door on the floor

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Dog room - with access to yard through the window

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Sugar Glider room - with access through window to 8'x4'x4' enclosure outside

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Ferret room

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Can't seem to find any photos of the reptile/plant room but here's a photo of the iguana

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Living room transformed!

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About a month after my arrival I found the biggest trailer possible - go big or go home eh and of course it had a 20' addition to dismantle. I got a skookum deal though - $4500 for everything including a bunch of brand new appliances. Previous owner paid $35,000 and took very good care of it.

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I got to trashing it right away - lol just kidding, I've been living in here for over 4 years now but it sure as heck doesn't look as nice as it did.

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Soon enough my good friend @melanierosa and room mate I moved here from my previous place with both got trailers as well. I found Matt's for 400$ cause I've got a talent for finding all the deals.

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There was an insane amount of stuff to be found everywhere on this property, it took a long time to clean it all up

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There was way more stuff in here before this photo was taken. We harvested quite a bit, for example we got at least a dozen tarps - some of them insulated.

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Just part of the building located behind my trailer

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Further down the property

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Inside the barn

Alright I've already spent an entire day on this post and there's tons more photos and story left to tell, so until next time!

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This is so cool!! jealousssssss!! Where did you say this was exactly?

Thankou!! It was pretty darn cool but the way it ended was somewhat traumatizing lol. Still beyond worth it though!!! Moving a homestead is a lot of work but heck if I was going to wait til I could afford land lol. Kelowna BC

Love your story. You will always remember those times. See your outdoor living room reminds me of us living in a barn for a year while making our homestead. Great work.

I saw that post! ^_^ Glad you love the story, there is WAY more to come! It's pretty insane and why I live offgrid and farther from the city now lol. Thankya!!! <3

I appreciate the resteem!! I find most the posts I put a lot of time into (mostly sorting through hoards of photos) don't get as much attention as my silly/cute posts lol so that helps :D

You welcome. It deserves it. Yeah, I've noticed that before to. It seems like quite often the payback is not related to the time we put into the posts.

A very nice piece of property perfect for Homesteading. I love that photo when you are on top of the hill and could see the whole landscape wih the town so near. Your story is very inspiring for people who wants to become a Homesteader. Cheers @wisewoof

Yes it was, it's going to be wrecked by the city though unfortunately >.< Grateful I got to enjoy it while I could. I love it too! Soo many pictures lol. I'm glad to hear you think that, I'm a pretty big risk taker, lot's of trial and error but so worth it!

Hi @wisewoof, I was speaking with @beeyou last night and she told me what happened with you and the group you were recently expelled from. I love the fact that you stuck up for @fulltimegeek and I want you to know that anyone that risks themselves to do so, is a friend of mine! I would invite you to join us at #newbieresteemday and work with our amazing people. There is no costs or any requirements, other than you are a good soul! I think you will make many friends there and fit right in!!!

Also I want to introduce you to another of my friends that I think you probably know and that is @goldendawne! She is also very involved with the things you are and if you don't know her yet, I'm sure you two will be very good friends!

I hope to see more of you and I want to thank you again for taking a hard stand! I admire you and your courage :)

I didn't do anything that special in my opinion, besides jumping on a bandwagon before it was cool and supporting those who could/would do something about the change needing to be made. Was mostly sticking up for Steemit and the community as a whole because I love everyone so much! I would stick up for any injustice nonetheless, I am flattered by your words and happy to make a new friend. Thankyou so much for the invite, helping people is why I'm here. That being said, I look forward to working with you and everyone to help Steemit grow. Just let me know what to do, @beeyou has mentioned in a comment on this thread to look to you for directions. :)

Yes I have seen her work and should really spend some time hanging out in her homesteaders group since that's what I like to do from time to time on facebook and where I'm somewhat useful. Friendship is magic!

Thankyou, I will be taking a bit of a break since I've been spending way too much time on here but I am dedicated to seeing Steemit flourish so rest assured you will see much more of me ^_^

That is awesome to hear you will work with us!!! We sincerely do welcome you with open arms! I think you will find that we are a group that is very much like you, we just want to enjoy it here and have it be fair.. We also have the common trait that helping others is a good thing!

I hope to see you soon and enjoy your break!!! :)

Hi. As I was browsing, I read somewhere you were removed from another team of Stewards because you joined the 'war' with Mr. FullTimeGeek. Our #newbieresteemday team is small, but we would happily welcome you into our team if you are ever interested. I don't believe anyone should be ousted because they are on the wrong side of someone else's belief. I personally would disagree with my team member if they opposed the 'war', but would never ever take that step to shun them. We all have our difference of opinions on here, and believing in different things should not be a valid reason to oust anyone.

(We are also on his side.)

Did you read it on @wwf's blog or somewhere else? I'm not even sure how it constitutes as a war, we are simply making a stand against theft from the land of Steemit. I refuse to just roll over when family/friends are being attacked without even having participated. Thankyou, I appreciate the offer and I'd like to take you up on that. Though I must admit I'm somewhat grateful of this excuse to take a break from steeming. I wanted to learn piano over the winter and read some books but instead I've been on here like ALL THE TIME lol. I completely agree that it's wrong for him to shun me for this, I'm pretty blown away by it. The Stewards of Terra Mater were not founded upon a cult to my knowledge but people who are on a spiritual journey/living off grid. In no way has that changed so I'm not sure how my ousting is justified. Divide & conquer much? Anywho I wouldn't have even known if you hadn't commented this so thanks for that! How do I join your team? :)

Yes, it was on his blog. I was very surprised to read it actually. I have never had interactions with him, but my interactions with the other Stewards @abh12345, @coolguy123, and @goldendawne has always been positive. I've also looked to them with admiration and surprised another SOG would take such an action, to 'remove' someone from a team simply for having a difference in opinion/beliefs.

We all have our differences in opinion. That's the beauty of Steemit. Some people are willing to fight for change by being in the forefront, while others passively let change happen. That's okay too. I'm not an activist by any means, but it sure does strike a core when I see the abuse happen on a fundraising post, simply because the poster is on the flagger's sh**list. You're reaping the rewards on this platform, but why destroy someone else's opportunity to better their lives?

Then to see a Steward oust you from a team simply because you have a difference in opinion and want to fight for change? Let's just say I am happy you didn't drink the Kool-Aid!

Welcome new teammate! @davemccoy and I are both happy to welcome you onboard. We're all just volunteers dedicating some time to help newbies when they come aboard. We help in whatever way our talents best fit. I write the weekly recap for our initiative, other members write a weekly post highlighting our newbies, we even have mentors like @goldendawne. I will let @davemccoy take over since he can go on and on...(I tease him on this all the time).

On a personal note, Dtube your experience learning the piano!! I would love to see it and learn a new skillset too. I'm going to tag @amariespeaks on here too. She is absolutely wonderful and you two would get along great.

P.S. Even if you decide to 'passively' let change happen one day, we will never remove you from our team. There, I have it recorded on blockchain history. No take backs. ;)

I've been friends with him on facebook for years following his work since the Ungrip documentary came out and had many lovely interactions and even then I am still surprised! I have looked to him and @lyndsaybowes with much admiration for a very long time now, they are heros of inspiration in my life. I consider myself somewhat of an activist but mostly by revolutionizing my own life and in the online arena as I rarely leave my home. I've been on the forefront of a lot of change and have a hard time being passive. I saw that too re - the fundraiser post! Who in their right mind attacks a fundraiser??

Thankyou for standing up for me, I appreciate that. I respect his views on the matter of the 'war' nonetheless. And have a feeling it was a misunderstanding that I was participating in what he deems to be 'violence' of which I was not in my opinion. Simply participation because I care about people, about Steemit and the world we all share. And I certainly don't feel I deserve to be shunned over that!! One of the other stewards in his program is actually my landmate and from reading her participation comments we agree. Would be nice to have peaceful resolution but from what I gathered that was tried.

That's perfect as I've been doing that anyways! Thus I have some experience helping newbies and have invited a number of people to the platform already. Sounds fabulous - I like the idea of writing a weekly post featuring new users to gain attention to their blogs. Yaay!! Helping me to help others, couldn't be a better offer hehe ^_^

Great suggestion re - piano! Glad to have connected with you <3

@beeyou you freakin' amaze me everyday on here! You always find the best people in need/on the fringe and bring them into the project! <3 you say where do I find the time to write but where do you find the time to scout out all that is going on? you're brilliant, my dear!

hey there @wisewoof ! sorry to hear what's going on but we are glad to have you :-D I love your post and all your rehabbing pictures! The dogs room looks awesome!
And BTW I totally agree the d.tube piano videos would be really a cool idea -I'd definitely watch. I love piano - I've always wanted to play!

Oh my goodness! I can't believe you have sugar gliders!! And thery are cuddling in a crib!! What cuties :)

Looks like you have your work cut out for you with your projects, what a rewarding way to live life. Ill be following your journey! I'm currently looking for a good deal on a van for my next step into nontraditional living. Maybe one day ill have a lovely off grid piece of land too ;)

Had is unfortunately the word now, moving offgrid made it impossible to continue to be able to look after them. I used to rescue some, breed some and at one point I had 14! They are super cute but they make terrible pets in my opinion lol.

Very rewarding indeed! But also much toil & sacrifice and hard learned lessons, totally worth it though!! That's awesome you share in this path, I am pleased to walk it with you! Law of attraction posits that you will one day attain that goal if you stay determined and dedicated. <3

I really like your username btw!!

That's a beautiful barn! And I love the temporary living room lol

It was one heck of a photogenic barn that's for sure! And lol yes it was pretty comical, thanks for stopping by!

Wow, your animal babies have it good! It’s so nice to see someone taking such good care of their animals. And, goodness, it looks like you’ve done a lot of work! But you do have a knack for a good deal!

Hey, my VP is really low, so I’m going to leave something in your wallet.

Awe thanks! I hated having them in cages, was nice to be able to make them rooms for the last part of whilst I had them. Had to rehome them moving offgrid though. It was indeed a lot of work to have to move two years later but still so worth the time spent there. On to better places for my homesteading heart to flourish ^_^ I like your blog, followed you!

I am exhausted on your behalf just looking at the photos! There is a ton of work to be done. How cute is it that your loved pets have their own rooms?!! I'm sure it is a wonderful experience with homesteading and look forward to seeing more of your journey.

This post is from a time in my life over 4 years ago now. It had always been a dream of mine to give bedrooms to my animals! I am grateful I got that opportunity while it lasted. I look forward to posting more of it ^_^

Haha I never saw inside that house, sorta excited to hear your steemit story of how that happened

Amazing story, very beautiful picture, I really enjoy your post. Thanks you @wisewoof

A friend of mine used to breed and sell sugar gliders. When they got too old to be bred she would give them to me for a comfortable end of life as I had the space for them to do nothing gracefully until they decided to quit this life. The space was just outside my "office" window so I would sit and just watch them for hours. Didn't help my work much!
They're warm weather types. How do they fair in your climate?

That's very sweet of you to take them on. :) They don't actually make the greatest pets in my opinion lol. I do not have them anymore, moving offgrid made it impossible. I used to rescue some, breed some. Had 14 at one point. They do not go outside in the winter that's for sure! Need to stay inside where it's warm for a third of the year.

Nice story your favourite place is nice there has foraging and plants your puppies also to nice and their living room well decurated but your photography is original there has no editing so carry on dear I love your post@wisewoof

Thankyou! I really loved this place, what ended up happening is pretty crazy but I'm on to better things now, just way life works hehe

i want a trailor like that one!

It's so huge, I could never move it on my own haha! The reason I got such a good deal is he had to have it off that property asap and most people don't want such a big trailer so deals on these are out there! ^_^

i want one like that on a raft! with sails!

Haha is that why you spelt it trailor? as in sailor trailer! That would be pretty badass!

hahaha i was scrolling through the pics again then i saw the caption about all the lamps that were there, so all that stuff was there as you moved in? it all reminds me of different places ive lived in or partied in , or scavenged from! great plot you have there :)

Not everything but all of what's in the last photos yes! Was pretty awesome for sure, tune in to see how it ended cause it's pretty crazy. I've since lived in the woods and now I'm up on a mountain in a small offgrid community haha

Haha I'm also blogging now about places I've lived and my years of travels on a shoe string :) I'll definitely catch part 2! What country are you in?

It'll be nice having a huge place of your own. Love to see how you're going to transform the property. Keep us posted :D