Not thinking about consequences of "actions". Perhaps leaving holes which rodents can use to climb under tin can still have big consequences. IMHO when under tin there is no way to block them entering attic and everywhere.
Good morning,in my book you both are champions in tackling such a big project,and not giving up. The limit is where you set it. Been following your youtube seen day one,thank you for sharing,stay strong family👨👩👦
As a 1970s off grid hippie, I think you nailed it twice in your video. Don't get in a hurry. Our first summer we were too ambitious, and tried to get too much done, in too little time. The next year we slowed down, checked out plans, tools, and equipment availability (rented backhoe), and the weather before doing anything. In the 70s there was no internet, no sat com emergency radio. Our comms were a CB radio network. In 3 hops we could get to someone with a phone (or could drive to a phone) and call for help. In the evening the CB was our entertainment, news source, and gossip line. 54 years ago there was very little off grid equipment available. Most was imported from Australia. Batteries, controllers and solar panels were very expensive to ship to Oregon, so we Mickey Moused a 12v Cadillac ambulance alternator to an existing windmill. We used an ever growing bank of deep cycle batteries made for boating. We snagged a auto cassette player / speakers cheap at a junk yard and had music for the first time in a year, making our place very popular on Saturdays 😎. Peace and Love. Have fun!
the Dozer has a winch on the back, it's not stuck! it's just Delayed.. having run Dozer in the coal mines I have had a D8 hanging on the winch line before.. it can pull that dozer out if you can find a secure Anchor point to pull from
Both of you graduated from Cal Poly. Their slogan is “Learn By Doing.” You two are the poster child for your alma mater. Every university in America needs to adopt this slogan, whereby students work inside and outside of the classroom making “mistakes” and fixing them. Those words are also your family’s legacy. Go team Casey!
We use an Ultra low flush RV style toilet at our off-grid cottage. Just the black-water feeds into our 1000 gal plastic holding tank which we have pumped out. Since our cottage is seasonal the tank lasts for 2 years between pumpouts. We're on a big rock so a gravity fed septic wasn't an option but with all your equipment installing your own septic would make a lot of sense to me!
Thank you for sharing your mistakes, and that takes courage to admit. You've done your share of learning from your mistakes, and believe me, as a 70-year-old man, you never stop learning. The main thing is not to fall off the roof; always use a safety harness. We think we are steady and secure until we fall, and as we fall, we say to ourselves, "What have you done now? Jim."
I have a healthy fear of heights. I don''t take friends to overlooks anymore- they always want to walk out on the edge and I want to pull them back. You have four seconds to say: damn, I wish I hadn't done that. @@derkjalink3788
@@cayankeelord3730 me too. I fell from a tree at about the age of 6 and from 15 feet up it. I swear I hit every limb head-first, then the root. I was unconscious, and when I woke up, I was lying in the flower bed.
I’m sure I’m not your target demographic since my kids are older than you but I have been binge watching your videos after a chance watch and have enjoyed them immensely. From tackling any project fearlessly to doing the hard things to showing your mistakes, this channel has been like a walk down memory lane and more. Even though I haven’t done half what you have, trust me when I tell you that forty years from now you will remember everything fondly and your children and grandchildren will be in awe of their ancestors. That there is video for them to watch is bliss. You are enriching the lives of generations of your family. I hope others will follow your example. Bravo!
I believe I speak for many of your watchers when I say some of what you call "mistakes" have saved a lot of folks a lot of time and frustration. I was super intrigued with the water generator as it seemed like an ideal solution to my remote water issue. Your real world experience saved us from going down that path! Thank you. And now for the waste oil furnace. Cars are a hobby and waste oil is an endless resource but thank goodness for the cost analysis. Saved me more money. While Ryobi is not exactly no-name I was disappointed it delivered such poor service. The Honda was a good choice so kudos on that. Well done!
Riley mentioned Green Acres. That show was designed to mock early forms of preppers. This show "Ambition Strikes, is an unabashed "slice of life" akin to America's early settler.
Yes indeed. No one brought a plasma table and machine shop to the woods in the 70s. The best we could do was a quality chainsaw and a 1 man Alaskan mill. It was a very good start.
Mistakes? None! A few important learning experiences? Sure. But that happens to all of us. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm sure many (including me) have learned a great deal from them. Always enjoy your vids!
I have admired Riley's skill and research abilities. You dodged a major disaster with the 323 trac-hoe. I am ashamed one of our CAT products had such a vulnerable system(the ROPS). I think I commented there are some fellas that have repaired CAT stuff with far worse damage. The rental co. took the "chicken way out" and fortunately "the expert" cleared you of fault. Still $2500 is what you want everyday. The bottom line, You TWO have fixed most all your mistakes, YOURSELVES!!!!!! I've saved the last lines for Courtney. Court, your editing results are at the top of the scale. I've seen a couple of the Utubers and their editing woes, ie., C&C Equipment, Mr. Klemman "sp", etc. It takes time and some imagination. Lastly, YOU produced a prodigy that both of you are JUSTLY Proud. Oliver is a keeper@@!!!! Enjoy the early days, Love him to death, and include him in the good and bad times... Ye Ole Caterpillar Cowboy I know I'm windy.
Courtney is becoming a major cinematic contender. I think i saw a video about her schooling focusing on animals. Wouldn't it be great if they put out a bunch of trail cams and she worked in some more local fauna footage.
Sometimes it is not really the mistakes being the problem, wins are so much sweeter when you have the mistakes to help you get the value of the wins. If you had a smooth run would you have celebrated the wins as much. Great that you have shared with others who are going down the off-grid path you still want to learn from your mistakes and for others to benefit from your wisdom. It would be interesting to understand who had given you the best advice in hindsight on your journey, and what was that advice?
First of all, I think they weren't necessarily mistakes, but learning experiences. It's only a mistake if you don't learn from your experience. Both Deb and I think you have overcome and prevailed over some pretty big odds in a relatively short amount of time. You showed perseverance, too! You have created a beautiful masterpiece. You two are one of the smartest couples. I think a better title would be "lessons learned while building off grid." I really appreciate the humility in sharing your lessons learned, so if someone was to be so inspired to do what you two have done, they might be further ahead. We absolutely love you guys. Another video idea would be how viewer comments affected the decisions you made. Love to watch that one!
A life changing lesson for me, has been learning that what constitutes successful people is the ability to bounce back from setbacks quickly. This couple, the Caseys, illustrate this principle for all the world to see.
I like seeing the softer more upbeat side of him, I think in about 1/2 videos which I've seen since my car crash (I'm healed now) I think he was focused in work mode with fun, but this was just all upbeat fun.
Hind site is 20-20 and you don't know until you don't know. Planning is great and I see a lot of YT folks not planning very well but on the other side you can plan to death and never get anything done. The real key is to work with what you got and move forward planning is a developed skill. Unfortunately buy the time you get really good at it you are too old to build anymore. I am just so glad I don't have to shovel any snow. Also graduated from Cal Poly many years ago.
I have watched you since you bought the Idaho property. You have done great things, sure you have made some mistakes. We all do. You have learned and learned well. You are willing to take chances, and I have loved watching you grow.
always fun to see the videos and I don’t think those were mistakes, they were learning experiences. Been there done that. Not off grid properties but same idea. thanks for a great video.
I look at mistakes differently. I use all these events as learning. I learn what to do better next time or sometimes, not to do something at all. Most of the events these last few years, you both call mistakes, I call fun and educational. We got to learn with you, what works and what doesn't work. How fun is that. So with that being said, thank you both for sharing and teaching us along the way.
Riley, you guys did not make 'mistakes'! You only encountered 'learning opportunities'! With the huge undertaking that you and Courney took on, there was no way you could have foreseen every issue and known what to do each and every time. So you guys learned on the go, and you have done a stellar job! Now you guys can be the experienced off grid home builders who can share your experience with others! I am very proud of what you two have accomplished!! I don't see mistakes, I see great success!!
There are no mistakes, just learning what not to do again. I think you guys are great and love that you are learning to be self sufficient. How about a half buried green house next?
Biggest Mistake Number 1 Dig A Outhouse make it as fancy as you want, but you could have used that and emptied your cassette toilet in it and it would have cost next to nothing! Your efforts deserve credit but you are making it way to hard, living off grid is more of a way of life than trying to make it comfortable with gizmo's and gadgets . You guys have great talent for making awesome videos but there is so much you could teach others about off grid living . Keep it simple, do it right the first time , and plow early and often even if it means 2 times in one night your life will be much easier. Handle the firewood just one time take it to the wood shed cut and stack it once and keep it dry. make your road wider than you think it should be so when you plow snow you hit no rocks ,stumps etc. Insulate as much as you can afford it pays off in saved energy. Drill a well that is one of the biggest things you can do for your Home a fresh water supply is so nice and in emergency's you can heat with would eat your canned goods Hunt ,fish, and always have water...... all the best you are on a good path.........
I was so pleased to run into you at Schweitzer a couple weeks back. Oliver is was so adorable in his signature snow suit. My though on mistakes in making/doing anything; Mistakes are just points on the learning curve.
I always tried to keep my biggest machine available to free up the other smaller machines if possible. So dozer broken and stuck without a work around was the biggest mistake. But you guys have done a great job, and I enjoy watching.
I don't think you had a Biggest Mistake. You were both a Creative Team to diagnose and fix your mistakes. You did Far More than was Humanly Possible. Hats off to you!
You were NOT idiots, because you learned from your mistakes. Keep on being amazing and allowing us to learn with you so we can start from a better place if we dare to start our own off grid journeys.
I’m a firm believer that there is no bad experiences but one can have experience of bad things. To learn from a mistake you first need to try something. Keep collecting experiences! ✌️
One of the things that has made this journey with you two(now 3) is watching all those bumps and grinds. The learning of defeat and the joy of success. With those hard times, it makes today ssssssooooooooooooooooo much sweeter!
The biggest mistakes/opportunity is the series of videos you can make for all of us wanna be homesteaders who want to apply your learned lessons so that we can successfully build our dream off grid home. How do we plan, prepare, what to do first. Pick a place, start with nothing, money, food, shelter, water, power, waste. What are your most useful necessary tools. What resources at your place can you take advantage of. What would you practice, aquire before you move. Keep doing what you are doing. You are an unique inspiration.
You were both on a learning curve, and the best way to solve a problem is it to have a problem. And the best part you did it together , and Oliver, when hes able to understand, can have storys of When you built the home and the fun parts about it. Good times.🤣🤓 x x x
I really enjoy watching you two actualize your dreams in such a beautiful area! I think by far some of the best educational/informative entertaiment around. I like it evem more now with Oliver. He is just so cute. It is going to be fun watch him grow up and realize what awesome parents he has and he lives in an outdoor playground.
Shudda...cudda...wooda. Those famous words are a part of the learning process. Your challenges turned into the new textbook for success. As you made your way through the day to day issues, you took us along for the ride. Kkudos to your success.
Watched the channel from 50k and you guys are awesome. Making mistakes is human, what really counts is how quickly you rectify the issue and by what I see you guys have that covered. Bring on the MILLION, you guys definitely deserve it!! Calling Ryobi off brand...priceless ;)...lmao! You only learn by experience, love this channel!
Mistakes ? really ? Compared to other off grid homesteads, you guys are champions, thanks for showing the good with the bad.Always enjoy your solutions to different problems. Keep up the great work and ideas !!!
Hands on experience is almost always better than instructions that make no sense! I have learned more in my lifetime by doing than I ever did in school! Probably not something I should be proud of, but I am.! Take Care Guys, Tom
We all make mistakes when doing a new project nobody thinks there will be any kind of problem, but if you did not make a problem for yourself your life would be perfect and you would wonder what else could have gone wrong. As far as l am concerned l think both of you have sailed through on all of your projects and you only human. Courtney always rescues you and is the perfect example of thinking ways to do it better. And not get herself into a problem. Hats off for Courtney and with that beautiful smile she has she always makes your day better. Well done both of you on your achievements go forward and make as many mistakes as you want, you can always fix it . Thanks for sharing your video with us!!
I believe that what you are calling mistakes are Life Lessons. Thanks for sharing them so someone who follows in your footsteps may learn and not encounter as much hardship as you both have done. You have created a beautiful home in the hills of Northern Idaho. Look forward to all your content. Keep it up. Thanks
I really wouldn't say it's a mistake, but I would have expanded your second floor living space over the entire area while you were at it. I'm sure it'll happen in the future, your going to need the space with probably more kids in the future. As a side note, I would definitely look into sheet rocking the ceiling of the shop with double layers of 5/8. Most areas require this per code with a living space over a garage in case of fire to save lives. It gives you time. CO/smoke detectors might be problematic on the ceiling of the shop due to welding fumes and other smoke sources, but I would at least install a simple ceiling mounted heat detector fire alarm system in case ( God forbid ) a fire breaks out in the shop somehow. Maybe expand the fire alarm system to incorporate CO/smoke detectors for inside the "apartment". I did a system like this that is 120 VAC powered those have a "messenger" wire that connects all the detectors together so that if one trips, they all sound off. I connected all the out buildings and separate shop to my house like this. Protect you and your family, because we love you guys ! Be safe and not too reckless Riley!
I’m so impressed with how far you both have come since you posted on the DTX forum. You guys need a mulcher head for the mini excavator or the skid steer. It would save you so much time dealing with brush and limbs. Keep up the great work and look forward to more adventures.
As a propane delivery driver, I can say it help me a lot if my costumers have their roads marked with snow markers. Even if there is few inches of snow on the ground and your driveway marked, I will drive in and make that delivery to keep my customers warm.
As someone who aspires to follow in your footsteps with a rural offgrid property, I want 10 sequels to this video so I know what to look out for. EG, I would have made the same mistake about not putting the vapor barrier over then gravel. Now I won't. Thanks for saving me that headache.
Expecting not to make mistakes would be the biggest mistake. You guys are awesome. I'm super proud of you. Your a great team Riley is a genius he amazes me with his ability to tackle anything and everything. Watching is both entertaining and educational. Keep up the good work.
I agree with most of the comments that have been posted, no such thing as a mistake, just a fix waiting to happen. Keep on keeping on, and as my high school alma mater song says, "onward upward be our motto, conquer and prevail"
Mice: When you didn't install the bottom piece on the exterior steel sheeting and got mice inside, everywhere. I may have missed how and when you got rid of them. Considering how much you didn't know, the fact you've not only survived, but are thriving with a child, is testament to your ability to learn, adapt, and overcome. Good on ya
We all learn from our mistakes by the time we’re retired. We should be masters and everything ha ha you guys did great thanks for the video. Don and Donna
What about a colab video with Diesel Creek, see if Matt can work his magic. Seen Riley in on of his jumpers a while back? That would be a fab video. Maybe a spring video though ad Matt is a busy man 😁 What ever you choose to do you'll do it welly, love watching and looking forward to the next.
Love your channel Riley and Casey, it has been so much fun to be on this journey with you. Keep up the Ambition Striking !! Just one observation regarding the condensation in your building from my personal experience. Any METAL building will create condesation the first minute you put ANY heat in it. Heat on the inside surface of a cold piece of iron will attract air moisture and form condensation. I didn't have plastic sheeting down at first and the gravel seemed to dry out enough to not cause condensation...plastic sheeting is always a good idea, even under concrete floors. Also heating with propane heaters makes a residue of moisture from the propane... So, if anyone ever wants to heat the inside of a metal pole building, use "condensation blanket" insulation, 6 foot wide rolls x 100 feet long, I just used the 2" thickness between the purliins and the metal. Still using it with a wood stove that way and no condensation for 20 years. I am anxious to hear how the saga of the D8 H turns out as I am helping my neighbor keep his running. My dad had a D8 14a when I was a kid so i am very familiar with what your challenges can be... they are sure monsters and move mountains of dirt when they work right though!!!! Best of luck, Jon
I've been watching your channel for a quite a while now and I always look forward to Monday mornings (New Zealand time) to watch latest video release. One thing I have noticed that you often buy something you really want and trying to get it cheap..and you realise you your brought a lemon. Are you buying on emotions rather than kicking the tyres first? I understand it can be hard as since everyone else is interested in buying the same thing, we have to grab it quick or miss out on the deal. At least you turn those lemon into lemonade and make more videos about fixing them up as a result. You both have come a long way on this journey. Very impressed with your achievements.
Long time viewer i started following just before you bought that proberty up there and started that epic journey to make it your home. I Love your videos and your ambition. Something that strikes me a little sideways is that you tend to beat yourself to much when something doesnt work out or you make a mistake. You just have to remember that shit happens, mistakes were made and you live and you learn. No body goes through life without doing mistakes and it can weigh you down and discourage you to keep pushing, keep working on that dream. So keep it up! Im here for it and you guys!
You can add water softer salt to the port-a-potty in the winter to keep it from freezing. We have done that in Michigan here at Wolf Run Wildlife and Spiritual Sanctuary.
Both of you are very gifted, wants hands on all things. Nobody else can do the job because the steps are in your brain and not ALL on paper. Then there is money. You have the time. Nobody got hurt bad. You learned a lot. The big picture was changed due to time and material. You are outstanding people. Keep up the great work and be safe.
I appreciate how you guys are willing to admit to mistakes and pass them on as a lesson learned to others. Instead of how most other youtubers simply gloss over them and make it seem as if everything went fine for them. Thus leaving others who try the same things to have to learn those mistakes for themselves.
I would say that you haven’t made mistakes you’ve just been prepared to try and learn from what you’ve done. It’s an excellent example of what we need in this world today of people willing to try.
I still want to save the D8. How do I start a fan based project to repair that poor thing. I have a sticker of it on my computer. I think I have it on a shirt, yes, I have a few shirts. I have this emotional attachment to it. Am I completely nuts Courtney?
@@AmbitionStrikesMaybe a local high school applied engineering class could adopt the dozer and take it apart, move it piece by piece, and reassemble with newer parts ... 😂
Love watching you two figure out how to accomplish your golds. You need to fix your TH-cam sight so when someone clicks on your logo it will show your latest to oldest videos like most sights. I have a hard time finding your latest videos. Keep up the great works.
I don't think you made any mistakes. You just tried different things and learned what worked. Love this channel because you are both so creative and talented. I'm amazed at all the skills y'all possess and can't wait for the next thing you build. Loved the Video though
There are no mistakes, just learning opportunities! When we try we learn and when we fail we then try harder and we become better. I love to make mistakes because I know I’ve tried my best and next time will do much better
I have been following you for over a year, I am glad you learned these new skills, I, because of the way I was raised am amazed you did not see the practicality of the wood heater, and I am amazed you haven't learned a Septic system is soooo simple and EASY with the eqt you have, VS porta potties or burning poop, I also was raised on Bulldozers, since the age of 7 So I knew and know you cant run one with loose tracks. But you have come a long ways.
Making mistakes is part of the learning curve, when Spacex blows up a rocket unexpectedly, it is called an “Unscheduled Rapid Disassembly Event”, LMAO, but you guy’s are not Dummy’s and it is brilliant what you do & we all love ur episodes. 1) Water is always No1 for me, nothing lives without it, The atmospheric water vaporiser was doomed from start Im afraid, and the well is a good start, but I thought you would have come up with a way to harvest/save/store & use rain water by now, enough to irrigate or grow gardens even, being an Aussie its hard to appreciate the issues you might have with freezing water pipes, gutters, etc, but I thought there would be a way for you to get around these problems in the name of having a good water source. 2) I’m not sold on ur Electric Dunny Idea & it uses a stupid amount of power. Septic systems are so easy to make, especially when you have the machinery you have, you could have a flush loo upstairs & downstairs for convenience, or is this another problem in a frosty environment. I concreted around a rusty 200 ltr drum as a septic for black & grey water in a rainforest location years ago, it had about 4 meters of output pipe with a few chainsaw slots in a not so deep trench filled with rocks, bottles, etc, and it lasted a few people for about 3 years before it needed pumping out, it took about 2 days to make as a quick solution to get me started on a new 2000 acre property. Dig a hole and concrete it into a septic tank, then dig a sump trench or transpiration area and fill it with rock, bit of dirt on top, plumb it to ur house and ur done, flushing toilets! 3) Highset housing & storage has so many benefits & you guy’s are young and healthy still, but as you get older for a forever home, stairs can get difficult and dangerous. Luv ur stuff. Cheers
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There is no such thing as mistakes, just happy little accidents :)
Well done! There's something to be said about "failing fast" and achieving outcomes sooner rather than letting perfection get in the way of good enough, or worse, analysis paralysis. Your attitude, personalities and chemistry are great for that. Keep it up! Those lessons learned are very valuable as you both continue to take on more complex projects. Personal safety and financial risk mitigation should continue to be a top priority on whatever you do. Looking forward to seeing that front end loader moving again and out of that ditch!
4 main things I learned from your mistakes. I just bought land, and 1) it is next to paved road. 2) I have river running through it, and it runs all year around. I am allowed to take 1320 gallons of water for personal use per DAY. 3) I will buy used larger excavator, not mini excavator. I might even just rent it, and be organized and ready with multiple jobs for it when I have it. 4) My first job will be to install septic tank. Of other things, I knew that if you throw track of dozers sprocket, you must pull the track of the idler, then put it on the sprocket and then you put it again on the idler. It is lot easier that way. Excavators are the perfect tool for the job.
We say in Germany: The one who works makes mistakes. The one who works much makes more mistakes - there are some individuals that claim making no mistakes.
Thank god for mistakes or I wouldn’t have learned anything. Ya just can’t learn without mistakes. You guys have done a ton of work you should be very proud of. Great job!!!😊
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🚨What do you think our biggest mistake was?! // Shop the L20 with early bird pricing: shrsl.com/4fvil
Admitting to them. ;-)
Not thinking about consequences of "actions".
Perhaps leaving holes which rodents can use to climb under tin can still have big consequences. IMHO when under tin there is no way to block them entering attic and everywhere.
Good morning,in my book you both are champions in tackling such a big project,and not giving up. The limit is where you set it. Been following your youtube seen day one,thank you for sharing,stay strong family👨👩👦
You forgot bugs too that Rodents
@@p20071
The condensing water maker?
As a 1970s off grid hippie, I think you nailed it twice in your video.
Don't get in a hurry.
Our first summer we were too ambitious, and tried to get too much done, in too little time. The next year we slowed down, checked out plans, tools, and equipment availability (rented backhoe), and the weather before doing anything.
In the 70s there was no internet, no sat com emergency radio. Our comms were a CB radio network. In 3 hops we could get to someone with a phone (or could drive to a phone) and call for help.
In the evening the CB was our entertainment, news source, and gossip line.
54 years ago there was very little off grid equipment available. Most was imported from Australia. Batteries, controllers and solar panels were very expensive to ship to Oregon, so we Mickey Moused a 12v Cadillac ambulance alternator to an existing windmill. We used an ever growing bank of deep cycle batteries made for boating.
We snagged a auto cassette player / speakers cheap at a junk yard and had music for the first time in a year, making our place very popular on Saturdays 😎.
Peace and Love.
Have fun!
the Dozer has a winch on the back, it's not stuck! it's just Delayed.. having run Dozer in the coal mines I have had a D8 hanging on the winch line before.. it can pull that dozer out if you can find a secure Anchor point to pull from
Esp. if they fashion up a pulley or two from a couple fat trees
Or, dig in a deadman anchor with the backhoe and attach to that with the winch. That bulldozer will fly out of that hole like it has wings.
Both of you graduated from Cal Poly. Their slogan is “Learn By Doing.” You two are the poster child for your alma mater. Every university in America needs to adopt this slogan, whereby students work inside and outside of the classroom making “mistakes” and fixing them. Those words are also your family’s legacy. Go team Casey!
Hind site is always 20/20. Never sell yourselves short. Loved the video.
We use an Ultra low flush RV style toilet at our off-grid cottage. Just the black-water feeds into our 1000 gal plastic holding tank which we have pumped out. Since our cottage is seasonal the tank lasts for 2 years between pumpouts.
We're on a big rock so a gravity fed septic wasn't an option but with all your equipment installing your own septic would make a lot of sense to me!
Thank you for sharing your mistakes, and that takes courage to admit. You've done your share of learning from your mistakes, and believe me, as a 70-year-old man, you never stop learning. The main thing is not to fall off the roof; always use a safety harness. We think we are steady and secure until we fall, and as we fall, we say to ourselves, "What have you done now? Jim."
Spot on!
I’m 70 and I endorse this message !
I have a healthy fear of heights. I don''t take friends to overlooks anymore- they always want to walk out on the edge and I want to pull them back. You have four seconds to say: damn, I wish I hadn't done that. @@derkjalink3788
@Jimbo65203 My name's Jim too, I can relate, but I fell out of a tree. I hope it's not a Jim thing.
@@cayankeelord3730 me too. I fell from a tree at about the age of 6 and from 15 feet up it. I swear I hit every limb head-first, then the root. I was unconscious, and when I woke up, I was lying in the flower bed.
I’m sure I’m not your target demographic since my kids are older than you but I have been binge watching your videos after a chance watch and have enjoyed them immensely.
From tackling any project fearlessly to doing the hard things to showing your mistakes, this channel has been like a walk down memory lane and more.
Even though I haven’t done half what you have, trust me when I tell you that forty years from now you will remember everything fondly and your children and grandchildren will be in awe of their ancestors. That there is video for them to watch is bliss. You are enriching the lives of generations of your family. I hope others will follow your example.
Bravo!
I believe I speak for many of your watchers when I say some of what you call "mistakes" have saved a lot of folks a lot of time and frustration. I was super intrigued with the water generator as it seemed like an ideal solution to my remote water issue. Your real world experience saved us from going down that path! Thank you. And now for the waste oil furnace. Cars are a hobby and waste oil is an endless resource but thank goodness for the cost analysis. Saved me more money. While Ryobi is not exactly no-name I was disappointed it delivered such poor service. The Honda was a good choice so kudos on that. Well done!
Honda is always a good choice for equipment.
The smile on Oliver's face will be absolutely priceless when he can drive a real D8 dozer.
I imagine this episide will be very helpful to those considering and starting out on totally "off grid" living. Good job.
Large learning curve for city folk and you were better prepared than most. You have come far Pilgrams.😁❤❤
Riley mentioned Green Acres. That show was designed to mock early forms of preppers. This show "Ambition Strikes, is an unabashed "slice of life" akin to America's early settler.
Yes indeed. No one brought a plasma table and machine shop to the woods in the 70s.
The best we could do was a quality chainsaw and a 1 man Alaskan mill.
It was a very good start.
Mistakes? None! A few important learning experiences? Sure. But that happens to all of us. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I'm sure many (including me) have learned a great deal from them. Always enjoy your vids!
I have admired Riley's skill and research abilities. You dodged a major disaster with the 323 trac-hoe. I am ashamed one of our CAT products had such a vulnerable system(the ROPS). I think I commented there are some fellas that have repaired CAT stuff with far worse damage. The rental co. took the "chicken way out" and fortunately "the expert" cleared you of fault. Still $2500 is what you want everyday. The bottom line, You TWO have fixed most all your mistakes, YOURSELVES!!!!!! I've saved the last lines for Courtney.
Court, your editing results are at the top of the scale. I've seen a couple of the Utubers and their editing woes, ie., C&C Equipment, Mr. Klemman "sp", etc. It takes time and some imagination.
Lastly, YOU produced a prodigy that both of you are JUSTLY Proud. Oliver is a keeper@@!!!! Enjoy the early days, Love him to death, and include him in the good and bad times... Ye Ole Caterpillar Cowboy I know I'm windy.
Courtney is becoming a major cinematic contender. I think i saw a video about her schooling focusing on animals. Wouldn't it be great if they put out a bunch of trail cams and she worked in some more local fauna footage.
I never considered living off grid, but I love watching your adventures. You're a great couple/family. All the best....
its not really off grid when you funded by youtube to do everything.... lets get this correct they are living isolated not off grid
Sometimes it is not really the mistakes being the problem, wins are so much sweeter when you have the mistakes to help you get the value of the wins. If you had a smooth run would you have celebrated the wins as much. Great that you have shared with others who are going down the off-grid path you still want to learn from your mistakes and for others to benefit from your wisdom. It would be interesting to understand who had given you the best advice in hindsight on your journey, and what was that advice?
Courtney's hair looks beautiful! 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🥰
First of all, I think they weren't necessarily mistakes, but learning experiences. It's only a mistake if you don't learn from your experience. Both Deb and I think you have overcome and prevailed over some pretty big odds in a relatively short amount of time. You showed perseverance, too! You have created a beautiful masterpiece. You two are one of the smartest couples. I think a better title would be "lessons learned while building off grid." I really appreciate the humility in sharing your lessons learned, so if someone was to be so inspired to do what you two have done, they might be further ahead. We absolutely love you guys. Another video idea would be how viewer comments affected the decisions you made. Love to watch that one!
A life changing lesson for me, has been learning that what constitutes successful people is the ability to bounce back from setbacks quickly. This couple, the Caseys, illustrate this principle for all the world to see.
I like seeing the softer more upbeat side of him, I think in about 1/2 videos which I've seen since my car crash (I'm healed now) I think he was focused in work mode with fun, but this was just all upbeat fun.
I have been watching forever what you guys are calling mistakes I call opportunities to learn yu guys have done fantastic, Congratulations.
A video collaboration with someone capable of recovering the dozer would be super interesting!!
Hind site is 20-20 and you don't know until you don't know. Planning is great and I see a lot of YT folks not planning very well but on the other side you can plan to death and never get anything done. The real key is to work with what you got and move forward planning is a developed skill. Unfortunately buy the time you get really good at it you are too old to build anymore. I am just so glad I don't have to shovel any snow. Also graduated from Cal Poly many years ago.
Never for a moment did I think you guys looked stupid. I was and remain impressed with your ingenuity and willingness to try anything.
I have watched you since you bought the Idaho property. You have done great things, sure you have made some mistakes. We all do. You have learned and learned well. You are willing to take chances, and I have loved watching you grow.
There are no mistakes, just learning experiences… and when to pull out.. of the ditch. Love yall!
Time to call heavy D for that dozer recovery. 😅 nice work so far on the property, can’t wait to see what’s next.
I’m surprised they haven’t partnered up with Heavy D. They’d get some great deals on equipment with him.
always fun to see the videos and I don’t think those were mistakes, they were learning experiences. Been there done that. Not off grid properties but same idea. thanks for a great video.
There not mistake if you learn from them. There just learning experience:) cheers
I look at mistakes differently. I use all these events as learning. I learn what to do better next time or sometimes, not to do something at all. Most of the events these last few years, you both call mistakes, I call fun and educational. We got to learn with you, what works and what doesn't work. How fun is that. So with that being said, thank you both for sharing and teaching us along the way.
Riley, you guys did not make 'mistakes'! You only encountered 'learning opportunities'! With the huge undertaking that you and Courney took on, there was no way you could have foreseen every issue and known what to do each and every time. So you guys learned on the go, and you have done a stellar job! Now you guys can be the experienced off grid home builders who can share your experience with others! I am very proud of what you two have accomplished!! I don't see mistakes, I see great success!!
There are no mistakes, just learning what not to do again. I think you guys are great and love that you are learning to be self sufficient. How about a half buried green house next?
Biggest Mistake Number 1 Dig A Outhouse make it as fancy as you want, but you could have used that and emptied your cassette toilet in it and it would have cost next to nothing!
Your efforts deserve credit but you are making it way to hard, living off grid is more of a way of life than trying to make it comfortable with gizmo's and gadgets . You guys have great talent for making awesome videos but there is so much you could teach others about off grid living . Keep it simple, do it right the first time , and plow early and often even if it means 2 times in one night your life will be much easier.
Handle the firewood just one time take it to the wood shed cut and stack it once and keep it dry.
make your road wider than you think it should be so when you plow snow you hit no rocks ,stumps etc. Insulate as much as you can afford it pays off in saved energy. Drill a well that is one of the biggest things you can do for your Home a fresh water supply is so nice and in emergency's you can heat with would eat your canned goods Hunt ,fish, and always have water...... all the best you are on a good path.........
I was so pleased to run into you at Schweitzer a couple weeks back. Oliver is was so adorable in his signature snow suit. My though on mistakes in making/doing anything; Mistakes are just points on the learning curve.
Never look down upon a failure. FAIL = first attempt in learning. The knowledge you now have is priceless.
I always tried to keep my biggest machine available to free up the other smaller machines if possible. So dozer broken and stuck without a work around was the biggest mistake. But you guys have done a great job, and I enjoy watching.
It now qualifies as a kinetic sculpture with rust being the prime kinetic player.
Everyone needs one LOL@@Truthvector
I don't think you had a Biggest Mistake. You were both a Creative Team to diagnose and fix your mistakes. You did Far More than was Humanly Possible. Hats off to you!
Thanks for sharing these - they will help otherss who are going off-grid save money and frustration.
You were NOT idiots, because you learned from your mistakes. Keep on being amazing and allowing us to learn with you so we can start from a better place if we dare to start our own off grid journeys.
Hi from North Carolina. We love your channel. Thanks for sharing.
I’m a firm believer that there is no bad experiences but one can have experience of bad things. To learn from a mistake you first need to try something.
Keep collecting experiences! ✌️
Something to remember. "You don't know what you don't know". Every error is a teaching moment. You guys have done so much.
It’s all about the tools!! The difference between success and failure. Not to mention, power equipment is fun!!
One of the things that has made this journey with you two(now 3) is watching all those bumps and grinds. The learning of defeat and the joy of success. With those hard times, it makes today ssssssooooooooooooooooo much sweeter!
The biggest mistakes/opportunity is the series of videos you can make for all of us wanna be homesteaders who want to apply your learned lessons so that we can successfully build our dream off grid home. How do we plan, prepare, what to do first. Pick a place, start with nothing, money, food, shelter, water, power, waste. What are your most useful necessary tools. What resources at your place can you take advantage of. What would you practice, aquire before you move.
Keep doing what you are doing. You are an unique inspiration.
You Guys Rock!! I Love that you admit your mistakes because it will help someone else!! God Bless and have a Wonderful Week!! 🌹❤️
You were both on a learning curve, and the best way to solve a problem is it to have a problem. And the best part you did it together , and Oliver, when hes able to understand, can have storys of When you built the home and the fun parts about it. Good times.🤣🤓 x x x
I really enjoy watching you two actualize your dreams in such a beautiful area! I think by far some of the best educational/informative entertaiment around. I like it evem more now with Oliver. He is just so cute. It is going to be fun watch him grow up and realize what awesome parents he has and he lives in an outdoor playground.
Shudda...cudda...wooda. Those famous words are a part of the learning process. Your challenges turned into the new textbook for success. As you made your way through the day to day issues, you took us along for the ride. Kkudos to your success.
Watched the channel from 50k and you guys are awesome. Making mistakes is human, what really counts is how quickly you rectify the issue and by what I see you guys have that covered. Bring on the MILLION, you guys definitely deserve it!! Calling Ryobi off brand...priceless ;)...lmao! You only learn by experience, love this channel!
Mistakes ? really ? Compared to other off grid homesteads, you guys are champions, thanks for showing the good with the bad.Always enjoy your solutions to different problems. Keep up the great work and ideas !!!
LIVING PROOF THE THE EXPRESSION, "LIVE AND LEARN" IS TRUE. YOU FOLKS HAVE DONE GREAT OVER ALL.
Very nice recap, thanks.
Not improving your road earlier probably led to many more problems than anything else.
Key life lesson (that I am really bad about!!) ... "Don’t cling to a mistake just because you spent a lot of time making it."
Hands on experience is almost always better than instructions that make no sense! I have learned more in my lifetime by doing than I ever did in school! Probably not something I should be proud of, but I am.! Take Care Guys, Tom
We all make mistakes when doing a new project nobody thinks there will be any kind of problem, but if you did not make a problem for yourself your life would be perfect and you would wonder what else could have gone wrong. As far as l am concerned l think both of you have sailed through on all of your projects and you only human. Courtney always rescues you and is the perfect example of thinking ways to do it better. And not get herself into a problem. Hats off for Courtney and with that beautiful smile she has she always makes your day better. Well done both of you on your achievements go forward and make as many mistakes as you want, you can always fix it . Thanks for sharing your video with us!!
I have watched you make many of the mistakes; you have learned so much. So have I.
Great education. This was basically like a senior seminar in a college degree program.
I believe that what you are calling mistakes are Life Lessons. Thanks for sharing them so someone who follows in your footsteps may learn and not encounter as much hardship as you both have done. You have created a beautiful home in the hills of Northern Idaho. Look forward to all your content. Keep it up. Thanks
I really wouldn't say it's a mistake, but I would have expanded your second floor living space over the entire area while you were at it.
I'm sure it'll happen in the future, your going to need the space with probably more kids in the future.
As a side note, I would definitely look into sheet rocking the ceiling of the shop with double layers of 5/8. Most areas require this per code with a living space over a garage in case of fire to save lives. It gives you time.
CO/smoke detectors might be problematic on the ceiling of the shop due to welding fumes and other smoke sources, but I would at least install a simple ceiling mounted heat detector fire alarm system in case ( God forbid ) a fire breaks out in the shop somehow.
Maybe expand the fire alarm system to incorporate CO/smoke detectors for inside the "apartment". I did a system like this that is 120 VAC powered those have a "messenger" wire that connects all the detectors together so that if one trips, they all sound off. I connected all the out buildings and separate shop to my house like this.
Protect you and your family, because we love you guys ! Be safe and not too reckless Riley!
I’m so impressed with how far you both have come since you posted on the DTX forum. You guys need a mulcher head for the mini excavator or the skid steer. It would save you so much time dealing with brush and limbs. Keep up the great work and look forward to more adventures.
As a propane delivery driver, I can say it help me a lot if my costumers have their roads marked with snow markers. Even if there is few inches of snow on the ground and your driveway marked, I will drive in and make that delivery to keep my customers warm.
As someone who aspires to follow in your footsteps with a rural offgrid property, I want 10 sequels to this video so I know what to look out for.
EG, I would have made the same mistake about not putting the vapor barrier over then gravel. Now I won't.
Thanks for saving me that headache.
I really would also like to see the 10 sequels.
Expecting not to make mistakes would be the biggest mistake.
You guys are awesome.
I'm super proud of you.
Your a great team
Riley is a genius he amazes me with his ability to tackle anything and everything.
Watching is both entertaining and educational.
Keep up the good work.
I agree with most of the comments that have been posted, no such thing as a mistake, just a fix waiting to happen. Keep on keeping on, and as my high school alma mater song says, "onward upward be our motto, conquer and prevail"
Mice: When you didn't install the bottom piece on the exterior steel sheeting and got mice inside, everywhere. I may have missed how and when you got rid of them.
Considering how much you didn't know, the fact you've not only survived, but are thriving with a child, is testament to your ability to learn, adapt, and overcome. Good on ya
We all learn from our mistakes by the time we’re retired. We should be masters and everything ha ha you guys did great thanks for the video. Don and Donna
What about a colab video with Diesel Creek, see if Matt can work his magic. Seen Riley in on of his jumpers a while back? That would be a fab video. Maybe a spring video though ad Matt is a busy man 😁
What ever you choose to do you'll do it welly, love watching and looking forward to the next.
Love your channel Riley and Casey, it has been so much fun to be on this journey with you. Keep up the Ambition Striking !!
Just one observation regarding the condensation in your building from my personal experience. Any METAL building will create condesation the first minute you put ANY heat in it. Heat on the inside surface of a cold piece of iron will attract air moisture and form condensation. I didn't have plastic sheeting down at first and the gravel seemed to dry out enough to not cause condensation...plastic sheeting is always a good idea, even under concrete floors. Also heating with propane heaters makes a residue of moisture from the propane... So, if anyone ever wants to heat the inside of a metal pole building, use "condensation blanket" insulation, 6 foot wide rolls x 100 feet long, I just used the 2" thickness between the purliins and the metal. Still using it with a wood stove that way and no condensation for 20 years.
I am anxious to hear how the saga of the D8 H turns out as I am helping my neighbor keep his running. My dad had a D8 14a when I was a kid so i am very familiar with what your challenges can be... they are sure monsters and move mountains of dirt when they work right though!!!!
Best of luck, Jon
Everyone make mistakes it’s one of the ways we learn, you guys did an amazing job, keep safe and keep the videos coming.
I've been watching your channel for a quite a while now and I always look forward to Monday mornings (New Zealand time) to watch latest video release. One thing I have noticed that you often buy something you really want and trying to get it cheap..and you realise you your brought a lemon. Are you buying on emotions rather than kicking the tyres first? I understand it can be hard as since everyone else is interested in buying the same thing, we have to grab it quick or miss out on the deal. At least you turn those lemon into lemonade and make more videos about fixing them up as a result. You both have come a long way on this journey. Very impressed with your achievements.
I'd say the cement truck was the biggest one. But it gave you the urgency to work on the road (silver lining).
Awesome video. It’s nice to see that even the best plans don’t work out sometimes. LOL welcome to my world 👍
Long time viewer i started following just before you bought that proberty up there and started that epic journey to make it your home. I Love your videos and your ambition. Something that strikes me a little sideways is that you tend to beat yourself to much when something doesnt work out or you make a mistake. You just have to remember that shit happens, mistakes were made and you live and you learn. No body goes through life without doing mistakes and it can weigh you down and discourage you to keep pushing, keep working on that dream. So keep it up! Im here for it and you guys!
Mistakes are great for views, so you guys are golden.
You can add water softer salt to the port-a-potty in the winter to keep it from freezing. We have done that in Michigan here at Wolf Run Wildlife and Spiritual Sanctuary.
Both of you are very gifted, wants hands on all things. Nobody else can do the job because the steps are in your brain and not ALL on paper. Then there is money. You have the time. Nobody got hurt bad. You learned a lot. The big picture was changed due to time and material. You are outstanding people. Keep up the great work and be safe.
I appreciate how you guys are willing to admit to mistakes and pass them on as a lesson learned to others. Instead of how most other youtubers simply gloss over them and make it seem as if everything went fine for them. Thus leaving others who try the same things to have to learn those mistakes for themselves.
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really good episode, I knew you had troubles the first year, you alluded to them but thanks for showing them.
I would say that you haven’t made mistakes you’ve just been prepared to try and learn from what you’ve done. It’s an excellent example of what we need in this world today of people willing to try.
Mistakes will always happen. How you deal with them is what matters.
Having to fix your mistakes is the best way to learn!
I still want to save the D8. How do I start a fan based project to repair that poor thing. I have a sticker of it on my computer. I think I have it on a shirt, yes, I have a few shirts. I have this emotional attachment to it. Am I completely nuts Courtney?
You’re not nuts at all! We are seriously considering a major rebuild project on it this summer.
@@AmbitionStrikesMaybe a local high school applied engineering class could adopt the dozer and take it apart, move it piece by piece, and reassemble with newer parts ... 😂
Mistakes are the best teachers.
Love watching you two figure out how to accomplish your golds. You need to fix your TH-cam sight so when someone clicks on your logo it will show your latest to oldest videos like most sights. I have a hard time finding your latest videos. Keep up the great works.
Interesting. I've watched since before Idaho and you did a really good job of not revealing your mistake consequences. Plus, they make the best videos
I don't think you made any mistakes. You just tried different things and learned what worked. Love this channel because you are both so creative and talented. I'm amazed at all the skills y'all possess and can't wait for the next thing you build. Loved the Video though
There are no mistakes, just learning opportunities! When we try we learn and when we fail we then try harder and we become better. I love to make mistakes because I know I’ve tried my best and next time will do much better
I have been following you for over a year, I am glad you learned these new skills, I, because of the way I was raised am amazed you did not see the practicality of the wood heater, and I am amazed you haven't learned a Septic system is soooo simple and EASY with the eqt you have, VS porta potties or burning poop, I also was raised on Bulldozers, since the age of 7 So I knew and know you cant run one with loose tracks. But you have come a long ways.
Sometimes in error but never in doubt. lol
I cannot see any mistakes only amazing accomplishment.
Making mistakes is part of the learning curve, when Spacex blows up a rocket unexpectedly, it is called an “Unscheduled Rapid Disassembly Event”, LMAO, but you guy’s are not Dummy’s and it is brilliant what you do & we all love ur episodes.
1) Water is always No1 for me, nothing lives without it, The atmospheric water vaporiser was doomed from start Im afraid, and the well is a good start, but I thought you would have come up with a way to harvest/save/store & use rain water by now, enough to irrigate or grow gardens even, being an Aussie its hard to appreciate the issues you might have with freezing water pipes, gutters, etc, but I thought there would be a way for you to get around these problems in the name of having a good water source.
2) I’m not sold on ur Electric Dunny Idea & it uses a stupid amount of power. Septic systems are so easy to make, especially when you have the machinery you have, you could have a flush loo upstairs & downstairs for convenience, or is this another problem in a frosty environment.
I concreted around a rusty 200 ltr drum as a septic for black & grey water in a rainforest location years ago, it had about 4 meters of output pipe with a few chainsaw slots in a not so deep trench filled with rocks, bottles, etc, and it lasted a few people for about 3 years before it needed pumping out, it took about 2 days to make as a quick solution to get me started on a new 2000 acre property. Dig a hole and concrete it into a septic tank, then dig a sump trench or transpiration area and fill it with rock, bit of dirt on top, plumb it to ur house and ur done, flushing toilets!
3) Highset housing & storage has so many benefits & you guy’s are young and healthy still, but as you get older for a forever home, stairs can get difficult and dangerous.
Luv ur stuff. Cheers
There is no such thing as mistakes, just happy little accidents :)
Until your living off the grid with a baby in Idaho in the winter
Sounds like a Bob Ross quote. Such a talented laid back guy. ( A PBS artist series on learning to paint landscapes. )
Не ошибается тот кто нечего не делает . Удачи Вам во всех начинаниях!
Well done! There's something to be said about "failing fast" and achieving outcomes sooner rather than letting perfection get in the way of good enough, or worse, analysis paralysis. Your attitude, personalities and chemistry are great for that. Keep it up! Those lessons learned are very valuable as you both continue to take on more complex projects. Personal safety and financial risk mitigation should continue to be a top priority on whatever you do. Looking forward to seeing that front end loader moving again and out of that ditch!
4 main things I learned from your mistakes. I just bought land, and 1) it is next to paved road. 2) I have river running through it, and it runs all year around. I am allowed to take 1320 gallons of water for personal use per DAY. 3) I will buy used larger excavator, not mini excavator. I might even just rent it, and be organized and ready with multiple jobs for it when I have it. 4) My first job will be to install septic tank. Of other things, I knew that if you throw track of dozers sprocket, you must pull the track of the idler, then put it on the sprocket and then you put it again on the idler. It is lot easier that way. Excavators are the perfect tool for the job.
We say in Germany: The one who works makes mistakes. The one who works much makes more mistakes - there are some individuals that claim making no mistakes.
There are no mistakes just lessons learned that made you better.
Biggest mistake IMHO: buying a boat and not using it. LOL you guys rock. Always impressed with your ability to solve problems. Thank you
Thank god for mistakes or I wouldn’t have learned anything. Ya just can’t learn without mistakes. You guys have done a ton of work you should be very proud of. Great job!!!😊
I too graduated from Cal Poly, and I agree with the motto Learn by doing.
Old saying I’ve heard all my life, you live and learn!