Off Grid for 50 years

peakbagger · Nov 22, 2023

Albany man has lived off the grid for 50 years

With ingenuity and determination, Paul Hausman has worked hard to make his own way on a rural hillside in Albany Township.

www.sunjournal.com

I think I know where the place is and drive by it frequently. Its way up on a hill, I really wonder how it gets plowed as its in area that gets a lot of snow. My guess is fossil horsepower. Its dark road to drive on at night.

I see the reference to saltwater iron batteries?. My guess is the reporter must have misunderstood and they are nickel iron ? It is on a rural highway, there are a couple of homes that appear to be off grid along the highway.

Its just up the road from the world famous sign in Lynchville https://newengland.com/yankee/maines-world-traveler-signpost-up-close/

Madcodger · Nov 24, 2023

Great story - Thanks for sharing. We have a number of similar folks in our part of Maine (Waldo county, inland midcoast) as well. Many came here as young people in the '70s and created communes, but I can think of perhaps only one of those that now (sort of) survives. These folks married (or not), raised families, and often moved out of the collective living situation to start individual households. Many are now community leaders.

BTW, Maine could use another influx of young people who want to work. Housing is in short supply but land is not, so a repeat of what the state saw 50 years ago, with people starting off in meager circumstances but building as they can, might be a good idea for some to consider. Just don't go to one of the cities and think you're "in Maine" in the same way these homesteaders approached a rural life. They moved out to where it was (and largely is) still possible to carve out your own space. The cities here no longer allow for that, and have problems similar to those found in cities all over the world. Best to avoid, I'd argue.

saggys · Nov 24, 2023

Great story, I do not think the batteries in question are Nickel Iron type or Edison cells.
They do indeed look like Aquion batteries, which have a Salt water electrolyte.

peakbagger · Nov 24, 2023

Madcodger said:
Great story - Thanks for sharing. We have a number of similar folks in our part of Maine (Waldo county, inland midcoast) as well. Many came here as young people in the '70s and created communes, but I can think of perhaps only one of those that now (sort of) survives. These folks married (or not), raised families, and often moved out of the collective living situation to start individual households. Many are now community leaders.

BTW, Maine could use another influx of young people who want to work. Housing is in short supply but land is not, so a repeat of what the state saw 50 years ago, with people starting off in meager circumstances but building as they can, might be a good idea for some to consider. Just don't go to one of the cities and think you're "in Maine" in the same way these homesteaders approached a rural life. They moved out to where it was (and largely is) still possible to carve out your own space. The cities here no longer allow for that, and have problems similar to those found in cities all over the world. Best to avoid, I'd argue.

The Mennonites and the Amish have been gradually moving to Maine, land is too expensive in PA. Take a turn off I95 past Bangor and you will see local caution signs for horse and buggies.

Madcodger · Nov 25, 2023

peakbagger said:
The Mennonites and the Amish have been gradually moving to Maine, land is too expensive in PA. Take a turn off I95 past Bangor and you will see local caution signs for horse and buggies.

We have to watch out for buggies a bit south of there, as well, especially near Jefferson and Somerville. But I can't complain - we moved from PA to Maine as well - just for different reasons (too many humans). Old farts like my wife and me can contribute to our communities in productive ways, but we really do need more young people. I smile and welcome them whenever I meet a new young person that's moved here.

Off Grid for 50 years

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Albany man has lived off the grid for 50 years

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