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I love all the old hippies that actually contributed something. met a family like your dad down in Big Sur. Taught me things i still have learned or wish to learn regarding self sustenance...like your pop. some hippies were incredibly smart and know how to utilize it

Now, I'm searching for a few men or women that will help me be the best design engineer for a self sufficient piece of property that is off all grids...or as much as possible. I know this is not off topic but folks like your dad, and other old time hippies and beatnik...the real ones gave us a LOT ...just too bad the application of these unique benefits in saving money, energy and being self sufficient are hard to find because of their lifestyle, God Bless them...you are a fortunate person indeed.

Half the battle I think for anyone who wants a piece of heaven is a good water supply. At the old farm at Vida there was a year round spring uphill from the residence, so there was a tank just below the spring and a pipe from there down to the cabin. No pump, no power. A year round stream will do if you have access to the water far enough upstream, but more likely to need seasonal major repairs due to flooding. Passive solar heat will give you all the heat you want forever but you need to build in your thermal storage mass & design the rest of the house around it. Great if you have the right exposure. Supplement with whatever fuel is easiest to get. Our place at Isom Kentucky had coal in the hillside right out back, so that's what we burned there. Not many folks have their very own coal mine though. If you don't want to rely on society it'll probably be wood. If your actuary says you don't have enough of it you'll need to be growing some. Food is soil plus water, plus sweat times acres. It helps to really like chicken. It needs no refrigeration and it eats pesky bugs until you are ready to eat it. Electricity is usually not necessary to stay alive so you just decide what you can afford and build it. Use all you make or you spent too much. If you have more of something than you want, give it to your neighbors.