In two years, our youngest will be leaving the nest. That means, among other things, that we no longer have to consider our proximity to schools or districts, or our location to just about anything—especially since Dennis will be able to retire too.
We’ve crunched the numbers—nominally, ‘cause that’s about all I can manage—and we think this is going to work.
We’re going to drastically downsize, get the house ready to sell, and move on out. To the woods.
With WiFi, of course.
Seriously, I can’t work without it and I still have books to publish and writing to, well, write. And, too, we aren’t going far—there are some things I like about civilization, after all.
I won’t lie, it’s pretty exciting: 50 acres out in the woods, a creek or river, no silly bureaucratic regulations, no traffic flying down the road, no people walking nearby, yakking on their phones. No giant black dog across the street that acts like it wants me for lunch every time I go to the mailbox. No stoplights. The list goes on . . .
Can we do it? Why not? Oh, sure, we’re getting up there and things are starting to fall apart. But if not now, when? We aren’t getting younger . . .
So many lists to make: shelter, water, gardens, power—not to mention what to get rid of and what to keep. And don’t get me wrong, it’s a process, not an overnight project.
First up: getting healthier, and getting in shape. Stay tuned for how THAT’s working out!
Robin Writes 
We’re doing the same thing, hoping to move out of here even though “here” is a town about 10,000. We have a spot picked out, but have to downsize all this stuff and keep crunching those numbers.
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That sounds like fun! If you want help playing with blueprints, let me know. I love to fiddle with those things.
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Best luck, careful planning and the right location can work, Robin. Probably 90% or more of the ‘back-to-the-landers’ and hippies of the ’70’s ended up returning to ‘civilization’ because a) they were poorly prepared with no skills b) the dream collapsed when the mosquitoes attacked, real sweat and isolation frightened them c) they found out it was actual work building homes, barns, looking after livestock, and becoming self-sufficient gardening–instead of the idyllic dream their Mother Earth magazines successfully marketed– but left out the realities, the challenges, facts of life, dangers and difficulties. Why I know it CAN work? We’re still here “:)
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Wait a minute – mosquitos???? ACK! Just kidding, they don’t really like me . . . 😉
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Sounds like my dream…
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Reblogged this on It all started with Heathcliff and commented:
I’m all for 100 acres we can split! 🙂 Yeah, buddy. Fresh air and less people. Ah … the writer’s life.
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Sounds pretty good for now…
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