Going off the grid, our family story.

[CLdrinker]

As the work on the pad wrapped up in mid July, the writing was on the wall. I told Amy I didn't think the kids would make it to Labor Day. Unfortunately, I was right. They put in a pretty big effort but some people just aren't meant to be together.

Sorry to hear that, saw that coming a mile away though.
Everything happens for a reason. Hopefully the dad can stay involved with your granddaughter. I’m sure it won’t be easy as you are very remote.

 

[HNL2LHC]

We're off i40 directly below you by about 30 air miles. Hit me anytime at 928-486-4043, would love to have you stop by on your travels!

Thanks for the number. The wife and I are planning a trip up in the area in the next few months. I will reach out to you.

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

1. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, best thread on RDP

2. Keep us updated on the video, looking forward to checking it out.

3. Is the merch live? I'd like to buy a couple of shirts

4. Did you get on TRT?! Jesus, I need to get to work on the farm. Who needs a gym?

 

[monkeyswrench]

Sorry to hear that, saw that coming a mile away though.
Everything happens for a reason. Hopefully the dad can stay involved with your granddaughter. I’m sure it won’t be easy as you are very remote.

It does suck in many ways. The bright side is the youngin' is not trapped in an apartment or childcare, like so many "single parent" kids. There are strong role models...possibly very strong, by reading...that this child can look up to. My mother in law worked 2 and 3 jobs for her kids. Latch key and taking themselves to sports practices, but lived in their own home. Cows, chickens, pigs, parents and Gus...on a farm...beats the alternatives that a lot of kids see

 

[Sandlord]

You have no idea how impressed I’ve been with everything accomplished up at Fort Rock by you, Amy, Shila, Dan, Denise, and everyone that helped in some way. Its really been an incredible thing of beauty to witness. Judy and I love you guys and will make it back up there to see you when we can.

 

[bonesfab]

You just need before and after pics of yourselves and start a hard core work out Gym. People will pay you to work on the farm. Again congrats for doing what many dream about. Someday I want some of the meat from your cows. Just half to figure out how to get it here.

 

[wash11]

1. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, best thread on RDP

2. Keep us updated on the video, looking forward to checking it out.

3. Is the merch live? I'd like to buy a couple of shirts

4. Did you get on TRT?! Jesus, I need to get to work on the farm. Who needs a gym?

Thank you for that!

Message me here or text me at 928-486-4043. Need size and color preferences, swoop or tank for the ladies and mailing address. We'll handle the rest. Zelle, venmo, or paypal all work.

 

[wash11]

You have no idea how impressed I’ve been with everything accomplished up at Fort Rock by you, Amy, Shila, Dan, Denise, and everyone that helped in some way. Its really been an incredible thing of beauty to witness. Judy and I love you guys and will make it back up there to see you when we can.

Love you too boss. Now we have a place for you and Judy to park and stay! You know the way.

 

[wash11]

You just need before and after pics of yourselves and start a hard core work out Gym. People will pay you to work on the farm. Again congrats for doing what many dream about. Someday I want some of the meat from your cows. Just half to figure out how to get it here.

90% is knowing how to eat. The other 10% is not being able to afford a squeeze truck to load hay so do it myself. We have RDP customers on the regular that offer to haul meat back to socal for folks. Typically, I'll go pick up an appropriately sized cooler from Costco or Wal-Mart and pack your stuff so it's easy for them- then just tack on the cost of whatever I paid for the cooler. There's always a way.

 

[SBMech]

Thanks for sharing once again, this is my favorite thread on RDP!

I am sure you are happy to have your Daughter home, nothing like getting to be involved daily in your Granddaughters life!

Unfortunate that it's under such circumstances.

Sometimes things are not meant to be, just means someone better for her is out there!

Looking forward as always to the next update!

This is the channel your documentary is on? https://www.youtube.com/c/PARAGRAPHIC

 

[rivermobster]

Just amazing...

I don't even have the words to express how inspirational this is.

Pretty sure your story makes everyone who reads it, want to be the best person they can possibly be.

Well done Joel. Well done.

 

[wash11]

Thanks for sharing once again, this is my favorite thread on RDP!

I am sure you are happy to have your Daughter home, nothing like getting to be involved daily in your Granddaughters life!

Unfortunate that it's under such circumstances.

Sometimes things are not meant to be, just means someone better for her is out there!

Looking forward as always to the next update!

This is the channel your documentary is on? https://www.youtube.com/c/PARAGRAPHIC

Yes, that’s the channel. Watch the two minute introduction “pure imagination”. It’s made up of clips from several videos. I couldn’t do that in a million years.

 

[rivermobster]

Yes, that’s the channel. Watch the two minute introduction “pure imagination”. It’s made up of clips from several videos. I couldn’t do that in a million years.

 

[wash11]

See, I can’t even link a YouTube video. I’ve got no business making my own.

 

[RichL]

Will for sure be looking forward to the documentary. Please let us know when it's available.

 

[rivermobster]

Will for sure be looking forward to the documentary. Please let us know when it's available.

Subscribe to that YouTube channel, and you'll know as soon as it's live.

He has 33 documentaries right now. I just watched the Worm one. He seems to focus on literally "down to earth" stuff!

No doubt he will Make Joel look great.

 

[TeamGreene]

See, I can’t even link a YouTube video. I’ve got no business making my own.

As it's playing right click on it then click copy url then paste it to where you want ie RDP, FB etc

 

[coolchange]

Now you’ve done it by posting pics of that shirt. Just like when started this thread and we’re going to start raising “ some” cows. Your daughter will be full time on marketing. I’ll take a couple.

 

[SoCalDave]

You just need before and after pics of yourselves and start a hard core work out Gym. People will pay you to work on the farm. Again congrats for doing what many dream about. Someday I want some of the meat from your cows. Just half to figure out how to get it here.

@bonesfab post #1 and 98 in this thread...

Havasu's Fort Rock Farms, the story of a fat guy and his wife.

A fat guy tired of being fat tries every fad diet and exercise program available and fails miserably. After playing that game for a couple years, same fat guy gives real food a chance at the urging of his skinny doctor and a 560 cholesterol level. During this journey, fat guy realizes that...

www.riverdavesplace.com

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

He owns it, we just provided the content. Zero revenue from the video on YouTube for us.

The increased exposure for us if it gets millions of views has unlimited possibilities for us. Figuring out how to monetize the increased website traffic and exposure is up to us.

T-shirts and swag are a great way to generate income from a broader market that could come from this. We worked hard to come up with a design then chose the highest quality (Next Level tri-blend) shirts we could find to align with the quality of our farm products. At $30.00, still less expensive than the same quality shirt you'd find at Sun Sports in the mall but enough profit margin to cover my daughters time for tracking orders, packing and shipping. Plus we hope it starts conversations that turn into more large beef orders.

There's a long list of enterprises we're kicking around at the dinner table. Once these projects are finished as well as the kids divorce, there's a bunch more mental space to get creative. Exposure like this can potentially drive them all. I'm ok with staying out of the YouTube space- it's pretty far out of my wheelhouse.
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And just when I thought all was smooth up on the range. Well, you're busy again now ole sport.... but we've got no fear you & sweet Amy can handle these new challenges. Love the YouTube concept and watched the intro trailer.... my sister was on 4-5 seasons on TLC's My Giant Life and I witnessed first hand how a bad producer can manipulate scenarios to increase viewership. Fortunately this concept appears very positive and healthy... just be on lookout for any crap stirring regarding family relationships and scripting is all. You'll know when/ if it begins and never get 'sucked" in to pull of celebrity should you "take off." Strong drug buddy but you are a stronger dude. Sorry your daughter couldn't salvage relationship..... she's got plenty on her plate now which is a good thing.....onward!

 

[Vib]

It's amazing how much work goes into this stuff. Shame it's all got to be covered up!

Yep, I've learned more about infrastructure than I ever wanted too, lol

 

[Tooms22]

The only thing better than reading all of these updates?

Getting to hear them straight from Joel and Amy while we toured the property last Saturday!

The wife and I had a great time. Their property is absolutely amazing. The entire off the grid setup is super cool. Their cats and dogs are super friendly.

When we left, I told my wife that it was such a great experience to visit their property and hear how they run their operation.

My wife was obsessed with the cats. So I'm pretty sure my only option for getting my 1/4 in the future will be driving out to the farm!

Big thanks to Joel and Amy for letting us swing by for a tour and pick up.

 

[wash11]

And just when I thought all was smooth up on the range. Well, you're busy again now ole sport.... but we've got no fear you & sweet Amy can handle these new challenges. Love the YouTube concept and watched the intro trailer.... my sister was on 4-5 seasons on TLC's My Giant Life and I witnessed first hand how a bad producer can manipulate scenarios to increase viewership. Fortunately this concept appears very positive and healthy... just be on lookout for any crap stirring regarding family relationships and scripting is all. You'll know when/ if it begins and never get 'sucked" in to pull of celebrity should you "take off." Strong drug buddy but you are a stronger dude. Sorry your daughter couldn't salvage relationship..... she's got plenty on her plate now which is a good thing.....onward!

This is a one and done deal for us. Cool experience but really not my thing. I'm a celebrity to Gus, he thinks I'm a pretty big deal and that's enough for me.

 

[wash11]

The only thing better than reading all of these updates?

Getting to hear them straight from Joel and Amy while we toured the property last Saturday!

The wife and I had a great time. Their property is absolutely amazing. The entire off the grid setup is super cool. Their cats and dogs are super friendly.

When we left, I told my wife that it was such a great experience to visit their property and hear how they run their operation.

My wife was obsessed with the cats. So I'm pretty sure my only option for getting my 1/4 in the future will be driving out to the farm!

Big thanks to Joel and Amy for letting us swing by for a tour and pick up.

It was great having you guys up! Not gonna lie, I did a cat count as you guys drove away. Your girl has the makings of a crazy cat lady

 

[Shlbyntro]

thats got to be the worlds most tempermental swiffer

 

[monkeyswrench]

Well, at least the fridge looks bitchin!

As for the new terrorist, I think you've now officially made it to a "prevailing wage" position. The pay is good, the work is the same, but jumping through hoops for management gets to be a hassle at times

 

[SBMech]

Honestly....write it off as a coming disaster avoided.

Someone up there is looking out for ya....I got a feeling you were gonna need to do that upgrade, and it would not be so easily available in the future...

I've never gone wrong with over building something, even saved my stupid ass a few times!

Anyhow you got plenty of power for snowy cold days playing with all the toys that all take juice!

The terrorist bit was spot on, I laughed so hard!

 

[rivermobster]

I'm stuck at 1600 amp hours...

 

[Shlbyntro]

your daughter is hot af, if she ever wants to come back to TX for a younger guy..... just sayin!

 

[lbhsbz]

your daughter is hot af, if she ever wants to come back to TX for a younger guy..... just sayin!

Careful with the farmer's daughter when the farmer has a backhoe

 

[wash11]

Careful with the farmer's daughter when the farmer has a backhoe

I’d be way more scared of her than her dad

 

[Shlbyntro]

Careful with the farmer's daughter when the farmer has a backhoe

well if Im dead, I wouldnt care.

I’d be way more scared of her than her dad

sounds like my type!

 

[Singleton]

Careful with the farmer's daughter when the farmer has a backhoe

I married the farmers daughter My FIL gets a ton of free labor when I show up on the ranch.
He sold the farm and purchased a 10 archer ranch and took a job in the city (Clovis NM). Farming is a hard life, when you don’t have livestock. The stories he tells of my wife, when she was in HS are awesome . He once fired 5 warning shots over his 500g gas tank, because he thought his daughters HS boyfriend was pumping gas from the tank (it was his daughter pumping gas so she could skip that at 4am).

 

[Spudsbud]

Now you’ve done it by posting pics of that shirt. Just like when started this thread and we’re going to start raising “ some” cows. Your daughter will be full time on marketing. I’ll take a couple.

Joel,
I believe I suggested Tshirts to you awhile back !
How bout sell thru the RDP store !!
I'll take 3 ,black please !
Lemme know how to proceed!
& good luck on the docu-series.

Jim

 

[Activated]

I’d be way more scared of her than her dad

Funny, I was going to respond to him with “have you met Joel in person?”

I have watched the video of you cleaning the floors a dozen times and can’t stop laughing. I showed it to Deborah and told her I am pretty sure that will be me when we have grandchildren but I am going to be fatter.

 

[clarence]

Add insult to injury, Discover changed the packaging on the batteries. Same exact thing but a completely different look. My OCD is on the ropes, I won't even open the closet anymore.

Yeah, that would bother me.

 

[Canuck 1]

Updates?

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Funny, I was going to respond to him with “have you met Joel in person?”

I have watched the video of you cleaning the floors a dozen times and can’t stop laughing. I showed it to Deborah and told her I am pretty sure that will be me when we have grandchildren but I am going to be fatter.

He knows me quite well... @Shlbyntro Oh wait you meant @wash11 Joel

 

[wash11]

Man, it’s been a while since I’ve made time to sit and catch this thread up. I’ll start with what it took to finish the RV pad off. We had done all the underground but hired out the actual septic system to a local contractor because frankly, we’re tired of taking on huge projects at this point.

Everything passed inspection through the county which is great.

 

[wash11]

Then came the time to get those expensive batteries out of the weather. The battery manufacturer makes a pre-fab box at a price that would be hard to replicate. Designed for four batteries, we have room to grow if needed. We did insulate and add a little heater (lower left hand corner of pic) to keep the batteries functional in freezing weather.

 

[wash11]

We wanted to be able to monitor the RV pad solar system along with a commercial fridge we have running for the farm business. The answer was beaming our Starlink signal to the pad and giving the entire park high speed internet. My buddy Yarder (RDP member) does this stuff for a living on municipal projects for the state so I let him go to town with our Amazon log in. When finished, the signal over there is just as fast as it is at the house and we're able to monitor everything from anywhere. And yeah, Starlink in such a remote area where you aren't competing with others is wicked fast 24/7.

Add equipment to get signal elsewhere:

Receives the signal here, then transmits it out to the RV spots.

Hardware located in the solar closet to run it all:

 

[Mandelon]

Pretty fancy stuff!

 

[wash11]

While we were at it, we've always wanted a legit weather station. We found a pretty cool all in one from Ambient Weather that ties into Weather Underground online. We were able to add sensors to freezers to this as well that send us alerts if temps go above a certain pre-set. It's easy to geek out on this stuff!

 

[wash11]

Speaking of solar closets....... I've talked in the past about wanting to control heat in there as well as balance to air temp in the house. Modular homes aren't ideal for whole house fans which is something I was really interested in. After a bunch of head scratching and research we found a product that originated from the weed industry. Ridiculously quite yet powerful, able to monitor moisture and temperature, controllable remotely from my phone as well as fully automated once programed- everything a modern grow operation needs. I'm not crazy about the aesthetics of the final install but man is this thing a game changer. At 350 cfm you can open a window from the opposite side of the house and get a legit breeze going. The front bedroom used to be warm and stuffy with both mini splits at the back of the house- problem solved.

 

[mjc]

Speaking of solar closets....... I've talked in the past about wanting to control heat in there as well as balance to air temp in the house. Modular homes aren't ideal for whole house fans which is something I was really interested in. After a bunch of head scratching and research we found a product that originated from the weed industry. Ridiculously quite yet powerful, able to monitor moisture and temperature, controllable remotely from my phone as well as fully automated once programed- everything a modern grow operation needs. I'm not crazy about the aesthetics of the final install but man is this thing a game changer. At 350 cfm you can open a window from the opposite side of the house and get a legit breeze going. The front bedroom used to be warm and stuffy with both mini splits at the back of the house- problem solved.

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Tell me more about the fan.

 

[Mandelon]

We install a lot of those inline style fans for subarea ventilation. I use Vortex Powerfans. All steel, super quiet and super low vibration. Using insulated ducting, with a bit of an S bend in the pipe makes them super quiet. They can move a lot of air. Available in even sizes from 4 to 12 " in diameter.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

No No No No Joel.... your priorities are all wrong ..... POND POND POND

 

[monkeyswrench]

No No No No Joel.... your priorities are all wrong ..... POND POND POND

Maybe the pond is done, and he doesn't want it fished out?
People like me would be fine...I just feed fish, not good at the catching part.

 

[HubbaHubbaLife]

Maybe the pond is done, and he doesn't want it fished out?
People like me would be fine...I just feed fish, not good at the catching part.

Nope. Not done... he needs assistance refocusing on whats important next, lol.

Here this'll help..... @wash11

 

[Shlbyntro]

No No No No Joel.... your priorities are all wrong ..... POND POND POND

so I'm not the only one..... @HubbaHubbaLife you need a hobby! have you tried getting into boating??