In a world where concrete and traffic can overpower nature, we’ve discovered a sanctuary, a life lived in harmony with the land. Our journey led us to “The Bamboo House,” one of the two cabins on the off-grid side of the land, nestled within 170 acres of intentional nonprofit community land, where various unique structures, homes, a community school house and even an original Grateful Dead tour bus can be found.

This land has been home to many, each leaving their mark for future generations. Founded in 1969, the community thrives as a living experiment in alternative education, sustainability, and communal living. There’s a rich history here, and I’m excited to learn more as our journey unfolds.

When we first saw the cabin in the autumn of ’23, we knew we were stepping into potential. The family who came before us had brought the cabin back from the woods and revitalized it, but it still needed work; it stood as a testament to time, its beams marked with the heights of children who once lived and learned here.

There’s something so very special about this land as a whole – the energy feels different, a magnetic pull to those who hear the call. The trees seem wise, like guardians, inviting you to slow down and listen. This makes working on the cabin feel more like an act of love than just a renovation.

Our journey began with the essentials. We stripped the walls down to their bones, uncovering rat nests, droppings, and moldy insulation. The demolition filled the air with so much dust, resulting in countless contractor bags filled with waste. With every wall that came down, we created space for something new.

After removing the last of the old drywall, we smudged the space and set our intention: to honor this sacred land, acknowledging those who came before us and those who will follow. Our goal is to infuse loving energy into our community and to learn and grow throughout our time here.

We also aimed to keep the cabin off-grid while integrating modern comforts, starting with the installation of solar panels to power the basics. Each day, we chipped away at tasks. Building a weatherproof shelter for the batteries, wiring the panels, and finally getting the air conditioner running to provide relief from the brutal Texas summer.

Though the heat made our work challenging, the kids were champs, cooling off in the car between tasks. To protect them from toxins during the early days of demolition, we took turns handling the hard work. My husband, the hardest worker I know, did most of it while I entertained the kids and took on outdoor projects with them. My lovely mom also dedicated multiple weekends traveling to come and help us with our project and to help us with the kids so we could tackle some of the dirty work. We also had help in various ways from our community, which we are so grateful for.

Running electrical wire underground from the barn to the cabin was no small feat. During this time, we also trimmed back trees that were threatening to fall on the roof and faced a persistent raccoon problem, their little feet pattered on the roof until we finally trimmed the branch providing access. They also made our mess a whole lot messier by getting into the countless bags waiting to be hauled off in search of snacks.

It wasn’t glamorous, but there were glimmers of beauty. The blood, sweat and tears brought us closer together.

Challenges arose with nearly every task, but we persevered. Our composting toilet was a test of patience when soldier flies decided to call it home, shocking both us and the kids as larvae climbed out. However, we quickly learned how to maintain the system and keep it functional and clean. There have been so many lessons in both the challenges and the victories.

As the cabin took shape, we focused on expanding our solar power. We cleared a thick patch of bamboo and installed eight more solar panels, moving closer to full energy freedom. My husband wired the electricity throughout the cabin while thoughtfully designing the placement of each light and plug.

The work isn’t finished, we’re currently using only a few lights until we complete the remaining drywall installation. We’re also clearing more bamboo by the day to expand our solar barn and install the remaining panels, which will eliminate any reliance on the generator.

Taping, floating, painting and decorating lie ahead, and we can’t wait to start cleaning the garden beds around our cabin and filling them with medicinal herbs, along with our vision of a beautiful outdoor bathtub for soaking under the stars.

For now, we’re using an outdoor shower in an IBC container created by the family that came before us. We plan to fill the pre-existing greenhouse with love and add some chickens to the coop. We will soon start clearing a pathway to the stream, and my son is already dreaming up treehouses and bamboo forts. We have a surplus of bamboo to build with and we definitely plan to incorporate it into our design choices. Thinking outdoor shower accents and curtain rods to start!

This journey, much like the cabin itself, is ongoing. We’ve embraced solar power, composting toilets, and sustainable systems that will help us live comfortably, blending both old and new ways to support an intentional life rooted in nature.

Living here has reminded us that life isn’t about ownership or accumulation, it’s about stewardship, caring for the land, each other, and future generations. It’s a place where history and the future meet, but for now, this chapter is ours to write. And it will involve a whole lot of love, listening and learning.

The cabin we now call home is an ode to creating a beautiful childhood for our children, where they can be kids for as long as possible, surrounded by multiple generations who can teach them, because it truly does take a village.

As we continue working through the fall and winter, the warmth of the wood-burning stove will fill our home, and the many antique windows will bathe us in light, framing views of towering loblolly pines and a beautiful mulberry tree. Sunlight will stream in, casting shadows that remind us of the beauty that surrounds us.