Mad Max Land

Yesterday we went for our first scenic walk out to Haroldsen subdivision. Subdivision is a strong word. Haroldsen sub was all set to be developed, but at the last minute the city decided not to send power out there. So the people live on their own, using windmills, generators and solar panels to power their homes. They truck in their own water and maintain the road themselves.
There are about 5 homes out there. When you wander around, you get the feeling that you are in a Mad Max movie. It has that post-apocolyptic feel too it. Dogs barking. Rusted out vehicles all over the place. And I don't mean just cars - cranes, backhoes, tractors, seaworthy boats, you name it.

One person really has the self sufficiency angle down. They've got the windmill going, which of course I really admire. (The wind power potential here is excellent. The city of Bethel has just finished a preliminary study and found they can power the town with wind at a third of their current costs. They currently use diesel. The town of Toksook Bay already has two massive windmills generating power for them. It's just a matter of time here.)

The self sufficient folks have a little farm and everything, with chickens, a barn, and even Nigerian goats. This article about them is interesting. Living the simple life, Bethel Style.

Getting back to my short bus roots in Haroldsen Sub.