A Simple Day Living OFF-GRID | Returning to the Old Ways

A Day in the Life: Tending the Land and Chasing Dreams

Author

Ark
May 20, 2025

The land hums with life even before the sun crests the ridge to the east. Each morning, I wake with a mental list of tasks—things to build, plant, or plan. It’s a rhythm that feels endless yet grounding, moving forward little by little on this small patch of earth I call home. Living alone, off the grid in the high desert, my days begin when the sun finally peeks over that ridge, painting the world in golden light.

A Chilly Morning with Big Plans

It’s a crisp morning, the kind that follows a week of rain, leaving me playing catch-up. The garden calls, and I’m eager to dive in. Last year was my first attempt at a high desert garden, and to my surprise, it thrived beyond expectation. This year, I’m building on that success, learning as I go. The biggest lesson? Follow the lead of my neighbors. They know this land better than I do, and I’m not too proud to admit I’m still figuring it out.

In the garden, my garlic is flourishing in one raised bed, while the sun chokes in another are testing my patience, yet to sprout. I built the garden fence larger than needed, anticipating expansion, and now I’m adding more beds. This year, I’m focusing on foods I love—herbs, greens, and root vegetables. I’m also recording everything, a habit I neglected last year, so I can refine my approach next season.

Learning by Doing: The Potato Bed Experiment

Today, I’m tackling the potato bed, doing things differently based on a neighbor’s advice. Last year, I planted whole potatoes, but they weren’t buried deep enough. This time, I’ve cut them into sections with two eyes each, letting them scab over before planting. As they grow, I’ll mound soil around them to boost yield. It’s a small change, but it feels like progress. As I work, I’m reminded of a piece of advice I’d give anyone: dive into what you love, even if you don’t know what you’re doing. You’ll learn by trying, not by waiting for confidence.

Grounded in the Earth, Fueled by Health

There’s something deeply satisfying about building health from the ground up—whether it’s planting a garden, starting a small orchard, or nurturing my own well-being. I’ve partnered with AG1 to support my long days on the property. Their new NextGen formula, backed by years of development and clinical trials, includes five probiotic strains, prebiotics, and more vitamins to close nutrient gaps and support gut health. I notice steady energy when I stick to my morning AG1 routine, and I love their new travel packs for convenience. For anyone curious, you can check out the link below to try it—less than $3 a day with over $70 in free extras, including a shaker bottle and vitamin D3+K2.

Tanning Hides: A Labor of Love

Beyond the garden, I’m working on tanning bison hides with friends, a process that’s as labor-intensive as it is rewarding. Last week, we started fleshing the hides, and today, I’m dry scraping with a traditional tool to remove the membrane. This step ensures the hide will soften properly when we apply an emulsified fat solution. The work is slow, and I’m learning to sharpen the scrapers to keep them effective. Lying on an Icelandic sheep hide, I tanned myself. I’m struck by how comforting its earthy smell is—a primal connection to the land that feels lost in our modern world.

Balancing Roots and Wanderlust

As I tend to the garden, studio, and homestead, I feel rooted, present, and grateful. Yet, I’m not one to stay in a single version of myself forever. The mountains of Wyoming call, their streams swollen with snowmelt, teeming with trout I’m itching to fly-fish. South America tugs at my heart, too, whispering of adventure. I believe we can love stillness and crave motion, plant roots and chase dreams. This life I’m building is special, but I’m listening to the call of the wild, ready to answer when the time comes.

Reflections at Dusk

As the sun dips below the western mountains, my to-do list remains unfinished, as it always does. But the seeds are planted, the tools are stowed, and the bison hide is one step closer to completion. I’ve spent the day with friends, my hands in the soil, my soul exactly where it needs to be. For today, that’s more than enough. Aquila, my companion, lounges nearby, content to watch me work. We’ll end the day with a fire, savoring the quiet beauty of this life I’m carving out, one project at a time.

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