Two Videos and a Real-World Look at Off Grid Life
Meet Ariel McGlothin, a fiercely independent off-grid tiny house dweller in the wondrous mountains of western Wyoming. Her tiny home is called Fy Nyth, Welsh for "my nest". Ariel relishes her peaceful surroundings and homesteading experience. For her, it's a very fulfilling life, but it's not what most would consider easy.
There is an allure around off-grid living. Many tiny house enthusiasts have a vision of a quaint tiny house in a beautiful landscape with solar panels, rain catchment and all the nifty unplugged, sustainable living set-ups that always work like a charm. It appears to be an idyllic existence, full of simple pleasures. The harsh reality: it's a lot of hard work and manual labor. For instance, Ariel must hike up a steep hill to maintain her solar panels. In the wintry months, she must take frequent trips to sweep the snow off the panels. If she doesn't properly take care of the them, it could mean running out of power.
Hauling water to her tiny home
Ariel's life is filled with on-going physical chores, like manually filling up her water storage tank and chopping and toting fire wood. Her self-empowering truth: she truly enjoys the independence her off-grid existence provides and the satisfaction that comes from seeing the fruits of her labors. Literally.
Ariel has a real passion for gardening, preserving and cooking her own food. I can personally attest to her culinary savviness. During our week long visit, Ariel cooked for us almost every night and every meal was incredibly scrumptious and featured vegetables and meat that she personally prepared. In the past couple of years, she has learned to hunt and process wild game, namely elk. This is done with great care and thoughtfulness, just like everything Ariel does. One elk can produce 150 lbs. of grass-fed, 100% organic meat and last for an entire year, or more. All for a $70 hunting license and many, many hours of sweat equity. The extra TLC she puts into processing, not typical of a bigger meat production, really makes a big difference in the quality and taste. I can personally attest to her flavorful and delicious, not at all gamey, elk steaks. Yum!
Ariel making scrumptious salads with elk steak and preserved beets
The best part of living off-grid is the freedom. The freedom to be independent of other people. The freedom to do the things the way I like them. The freedom financially that the lower expenses give me, and sometimes it's the freedom to do a lot more work than everybody else.
Fy Nyth
Ariel's blog: http://fynyth.blogspot.com
Ariel works part-time as waitress and does other odd, freelance jobs. In her downtime, she enjoys wildlife photography, blogging and vlogging about her off-grid life to help empower others looking to make their off-grid dream, a reality. This year she will pay off her Tumbleweed, purchased brand new just three years ago!
Home to Ariel is her cozy nest, the gorgeous Wyoming landscape and her freedom to live life to the fullest, her own way.
Watch this inspiring interview and glimpse into Ariel's home life in the mountains of Wyoming.
Part of the (tiny) Home Tour of America, a Tiny House Expedition and Home State Apparel collaboration.
-Alexis Stephens
My partner, Christian and I are traveling tiny house dwellers. Together we've been on the road two years for our documentary and community outreach project, Tiny House Expedition. We live, breathe, dream the tiny home community every day. This is our life, and our true passion project. We are very grateful to be able experience this inspiring movement in such an intimate way and to be able to share our exploration with all of you.
Fantastic video and house. What a great life Ariel has created for herself. Inspiring.
Ariel: I watched your video from beginning to end and I must say you have an excellent living arrangement. A very well-planned and coordinated layout for you. It’s one of the best I’ve seen. Not much left to do to have the best home around.
RON
Excellent way of life. I wish this living arrangement was more popular in Spain. I have built a tiny house with sandwich panels for holidays in mountain.
Enjoy the environment and nature.
What a great tour! Thank you for sharing. How far are you from a town or neighbors? Do you get lonely?
Just awesome living…life that can hold a good friendship and purpose, in the place of modern go go go lifestyle of most Americans of today…blessings always
Wow. You are one gutsy girl! Very inspirational.