Living "off-the-grid"

Some folks think of "off-the-grid" living as doing without modern conveniences such as garbage disposers, air-conditioning, regular appliances, etc. They might think the Taos Earthships http://earthship.com/visit-us, whose exteriors bring to mind the 60's hippie era of communes, alternative lifestyles, and activism.  When we built our house in Evergreen Hills, there was no choice about whether or not we would build a self-sustaining house.  There is no access to the grid in this community surrounded by national forest land and the Sandia Pueblo lands.  And yes, there are challenges to living off the grid!  The posts on this page will be about the pleasures and perils of this enchanted location.