Electricity
– Underground $14,899.81
– Above ground will be a lot less (estimated 4k) but trees come down.
– Fiber internet will be ran at the same time
Water plan
– A) 4k-ish we go with city water
– B) Well would be about 20k
– Rainwater harvesting for sure eventually. Maybe up front..
2 acre status
– Delays: broken dozer and excavator
– back to work now. Done at the time of publishing this video :)
I’ve been working on trails
– Perimeter trail is about 50% done
– New trails everywhere
– Rotary cutter and grapple are my favorite combo
– Lane Shark incoming
– No map sharing?? Maybe a raffle fund raiser to name the trails, thoughts?
Fruit orchard
– Slow process, long term goal
– HUGE experiment, wood chips and ground cover
– Back to Eden Documentary https://youtu.be/6rPPUmStKQ4?si=gcBcrtqk_yOX31Oz
Shop notes
– 40×60 red iron building with basic insulation
– 12×60 leanto (16 or 20???)
– One water in, one sewer out
– Concrete inside, gravel under the lean
Attack on my skin
– Poison ivy at the start, my fault
– Chiggers
– Inadvertently burning with hot water for relief
– Second round of poison ivy from rotary cutter + heat rash
– Burns on my thigh from tractor time, need to buy canopy
– Fire ants while cooking
Something to look back on and laugh in a few years.
Shop timeline
– Our goal was always to be in the camper inside the new shop by winter.
– As soon as we have septic and power we move. We are OK with bringing in water if the water is in portable tanks if the situation isn’t figured out by then.
Equipment
– You need to buy a D4 dozer…
– You need to buy a mini excavator…
– You need to buy a skid steer…
Why I went with a tractor
– BUDGET!!
– All other equipment is more costly and more costly to repair
– Less expensive implements
– Local tractor ecosystem via family for implement sharing, help, and repair knowledge.
Big Business vs Big Life
– Are you going to get 3 phase power? Why all the trails? Why do you want so much land?
– I grew up outside as a kid. Boy Scouts, camping, outdoor sports (last generation before internet and screen addiction)
– Spent the last two years camping a lot and re-kindled my love of the outdoors. I want this life.
If not now, when? Zach’s slide: “One year from now, your life could look completely different. Put in the work.”
Brunt affiliate links (I use and recommend these products)
Brunt long-sleeve summer work shirt:
https://www.pntrs.com/t/8-12869-342731-289744?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbruntworkwear.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-mckenna-long-sleeve-sun-shirt%3Fvariant%3D43514293813406
Brunt summer work pants:
https://www.pntra.com/t/8-12869-342731-289744?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbruntworkwear.com%2Fproducts%2Fthe-costello-pant%3Fvariant%3D43396203413662
00:00 Intro
00:25 Electricity and Driveway
09:46 Pine Decision
10:36 Electricity Cost
14:52 Water
20:05 Two Acre Status
23:27 New Trails
46:23 Creek levels & More Trails
59:23 Fruit Orchard
1:01:22 Trail Map
1:03:38 The New Shop
1:09:03 Attack on my Skin
1:16:37 Equipment
1:21:42 Big Business vs Big Life
Water comments:
You need to look at pressures of the city water system…long distances will decrease pressures at the house. You can somewhat overcome with larger pipe diameters.
Rainwater harvesting would work. You’ll need storage tanks and pressure pump. You plan as primary source and late consider city water.
Good luck.
I predict that repeated exposure to poison ivy will eventually sensitize you to the point that you will start itching when you see the words “poison ivy”. I have to stop writing this because of the itching.
” A PROMOTION ” to name the trails ….
It is a HORRIBLE idea in my opinion. First and foremost you will be expected to show a map of the trail system. And like you already mentioned you really don’t want the trail system to be public.
Secondly the name that people would come up with will have zero significance to you. I already know that you will come up with names that will actually have meaning to you. Already you came up with ones that remind you of Michigan and they have meaning. I also know you will come up with names like around your Orchard , apple trail or peach trail etc. Trails by the chicken coup or barn like , chicken trail or horse lane , creek trail, north trail , south trail, Y trail. All the names would make more sense than names other people would come up with. Again the biggest drawback would be having to make your trail system public. I am 59 years old now and all the goals you are setting are totally attainable in my opinion. So anyone that thinks these goals are lofty aren’t willing to put in the work to get there. I honestly believe that most of these goals you set will be complete in 3 to 5 years. Great work Jay and your choice of shifting your lifestyle was a AWESOME ONE so don’t give the outside noise a second thought.
The idea of not having a Climate Controlled Shop may seem like an option. But I have a feeling you are going to quickly realize it isn’t an option in my opinion. In the extremely humid climate that you live in I believe you will have a major tool rust issue. Which also brings me to the thought , I hope your tools aren’t rusting to Holy Hell. If you have the ability to check you may want to before it is too late. I hope I’m wrong and your tools aren’t rusting away in the containers. Fingers and Toes Crossed.
Jay, your excitement is palpable. I hear it in your voice, I see it in your expressions. You are the little kid in front of the Christmas tree. At 78 yrs. old I don’t have the time or energy to take on such an adventure, so I’m living vicariously through your adventures. I’m a woodworker for 66 years and my 20 x 20 shop will continue to do for me. I’ve been a follower since 2014 and hope to watch you and your family thrive for the next 10 years.