So here is the update I promised our readers last night. Apologies for the delay, I have been making repairs to a spring water catchment system in the mountains.
To all that wonder, yes we are evolving yet again. There are a few reasons that I will get into in time. Our goal is to take greater care of our clients.
Most of our readers have questions about what we do, but occasionally you ask us why. It’s actually not a short story, so for the first time I will tell a bit of our story.
Back at the end of 2017 I retired from the Army. As with most veterans, the transition was overwhelming at times. It takes a considerable amount of effort to ply through the layers of bureaucracy until we were financially stable. Most people don’t hear the stories about our first years out of service, they hear the glory day stories from when we were on active duty.
Longest part of the story short: In order to establish my own off grid homestead I needed to find employment to fill the gaps until my retirement was achieved (the entire process took three years). At that time, my family and I were living in a rental property out at Cross port (adjacent to a railroad). It was a trying time as we struggled to make ends meet.
Despite the fact I was fairly ready to be retired I tightened my belt and searched everywhere. This is the point where I will insert that I put myself through school and have a college education. I applied at a wide array of places (my studies were in Wildlife Biology, Forestry, Land Surveying/Cartography), and in several instances I was told it had been too long since I had completed my degrees (in my 20’s). I had several years in the Forest Service and Park Service prior to the Army to pay for school. Nothing materialized.
One thing my father taught me early in life is that nothing worth having is easy to acquire and hard work is usually the answer. Despite the fact I was in my late 40’s coming off active duty I took a job at a lumber yard surrounded by 20 year old workers. I have always been involved with construction throughout the years, learning electrical, plumbing, carpentry and many other skills thanks to a broad range of uncles, grand parents, and my father. At one point I will admit to feeling like the permanent hired labor for each.
When I was younger, my parents decided to move our family to their own idea of heaven. That property was completely without running water, electricity, or indoor plumbing of any kind. We had an outhouse and I regularly carried empty milk jugs full of water from a spring pipe. In my youth I don’t think I fully understood the gravity of the situation we were dealing with. Probably right up through my initial years in the Army living literally everywhere.
Working at the lumber yard was a mental reset for me. I needed to evaluate what I really wanted for my family and for my own sanity. I felt as if I had forgotten who I was. I needed to reach for an answer.
Once my retirement was finally dealt with I took one year to think. In that time I built an amazing farm on the Moyie River. I still think fondly of it now and then. Something still felt off.
Fast forward a few years. A local business popped up selling basic solar, so I decided to participate. After a short time I was offered a decent salary and a general manager position. It still felt off. Anyone that knows me will tell you I need a challenge. Simple problems are not enough, I like to find something to really test my mind. After a few months of voluntary work in that business I left to start my own. Instead of a store with bare shelves I wanted to go out and use every skill I had acquired over the years.
It’s always important to me that I recognize those that need help and lend it where I can. I have felt the tug from God for years and I knew He had a plan for me, I had no idea how far that would go.
Off Grid Unlimited was actually first discussed amongst my old Army NCO colleagues back in 2008. I miss my old friend from 10th, Don Ramsey, for sparking the fire that led me to make this decision. Don – if you are out there – you are the best.
Solar led to hydroelectric. That led to wind and thermoelectric. Geothermal is adaptable to most general construction. Off I went down a very rapid and demanding path.
During the worst days of the COVID pandemic, when we all felt the world fall away beneath our feet, North Idaho rapidly turned into a large refugee camp. Instead of just one or two projects a year we were flooded with requests. That was when tragedy began to strike.
For one reason or another God tested us. We were hacked. Our phones were cloned. Our website was forced down. Our Facebook page was banned (the day after I marked it as a vet owned business). Our bank accounts were frozen. Much of this I won’t discuss in detail, but we were under siege.
At one point we were literally knocked off the map. Our Google and Apple Map listings were reported as “permanently closed” by an aggressor, and for six months word of mouth and our reputation saved us. I considered closing the business at one point. Then I dug my heels in.
Fast forward. After a few family tragedies, loss of a parent, loss of my best friend and foreman to medical reasons out of his control, I found myself in a smaller company. Family comes first. Always. God pulled us through some terrible times.
There is a good bit more, but we do this because we know life is difficult enough on a good day. Moving to a remote property with no infrastructure of any kind can be a traumatic experience for some. God has a plan for us all, we just have to listen. Not only did he bring me here to do this work, he gave me a wonderful group of two sons and two daughters. One of which I really miss right now.
So in summary, we want to help you, and the community as a whole, in a way that few others can. Let us guide you on your own path.
Incidentally, we are building a new office. We are currently on 33 Enterprise Drive near the highway. We will soon be in a larger space further down Enterprise Drive next to Ranette Fabrication. Thanks to RI-Fab and Charles for being such great neighbors and friends as we approach our fourth year.
I also have to thank my beautiful wife Dawn for bringing light to my life. She is a living incarnation of Snow White (I guess that’s why I’m starting to look like a bearded dwarf?)
With winter approaching fast I plan to write more guidance on preparation. Please stay safe and stay tuned.
Rick
