Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Welcome to Our Little Mountain Cabin!

Our Little Mountain Cabin

 The land is in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  We are within walking distance of The New River, and the south side of The Jefferson National Forest.

In August of 2006, we set out to fulfill our dream of living a pioneering life-style.  We will grow, raise and build what we need for living.  It is our plan to share what we learn along the way.

Follow our journey towards self-sufficiency one step at a time!

1.  We have built an off the grid cabin powered by four solar panels.  Still a work in progress.  We will eventually have enough energy from wind and solar to power a barn, and for all of our needs in the future.

2.  We have built the most beautiful outhouse in the county.

3.  We have learned to cook outside over a stone encircled campfire with dutch ovens and in hanging pots.

4.  We have learned to identify sugar maple trees to collect their sap and make maple syrup over and outdoor fire.

5.  We are constantly learning about plant and animal life indigenous to the New River Valley area.

6.  We are utilizing fallen trees and materials to make household items we use around the cabin. We are sharing these items near and far.

7.  We will have the help of farm animals when we are living at the cabin permanently.  Until then, we are using farm machinery

8.  We are learning to use wildflowers and herbs to cook with, and we are learning a lot of ways to use them medicinally.