The Land Was Always Calling
Even When I Couldn’t Hear It Clearly
A decade ago, I laughed off the idea.
Now I’m buying land in the exact same county.
I don’t even remember what the site was—maybe LandWatch or something like that—but somehow I stumbled across the concept of buying land and living off-grid. It sounded so enticing to me.
The idea of wide-open spaces reminded me of being a little girl in Mississippi, spending time on my family’s land. Everything felt whimsical and free—tasting honeysuckle, playing in the woods by a “creek” (which I later learned was just a ditch, but I was undeterred).
And then, a county I’d never heard of in a part of the state I’d never been to called to me: Apache County, Arizona.
Where it snows in the winter.
Where it doesn’t hit 120 degrees in the summer.
I was drawn in.
So I shared my idea.
And… that’s when the voices started.
“There’s no water up there.”
“You know how expensive it is to dig a well?”
“You’re gonna be so far from everything.”
“You’ve never raised animals.”
“Ain’t no Black folks up there.”
“That’s gonna be so much work!”
Those words came from people I love, and I know they were well-meaning. But they planted doubts that lived rent-free in my head. Long enough for me to talk myself out of it. That decision—not going for it back then—is one I’ve reflected on more than I’d like to admit.
Fast forward to now:
I'm back on track.
And while I don’t believe in regrets, I do believe in returning to the places that called us—especially when we finally feel ready to answer.
I’m making the change now, and that’s what matters most.
Why North Eastern Arizona?
Not Maricopa. Not Goodyear. Not San Tan Valley. Not Georgia or Tennessee or even Mississippi.
Why here?
Well, the weather is a big one.
It’s affordable.
The neighbors seem kind.
It’s close to some of my favorite hiking spots.
And the mountain views? Unmatched.
If you appreciate the beauty of the desert like I do, it’s magic.
Another major pull: it’s undeveloped.
The farther away I got from Phoenix, the more I could breathe.
The city’s nonstop sprawl has been closing in on every inch of natural space. That craving I’ve had for stillness? It couldn’t survive another high-rise.
Fun fact: Maricopa County’s population grew by 800,000 people from 2010 to 2022—that’s 19% growth in just over a decade.
(Source: USAFacts)
I remember when Baseline was nothing but orange groves and flower fields. And now? Strip malls and subdivisions.
Raw Land vs. a Jump Start
So why did I choose raw land instead of buying something semi-ready?
That’s a bigger conversation—one we’ll dig into next time—but the short version?
Because I want to build this my way.
From the foundation.
With intention.
Sustainability is important to me. I want to live closer to my values—and that includes stewarding the land, not just owning it.
And while this may sound wild to some:
I’ve decided to go completely off-grid—from both water and electricity.
So... did 10 years in the solar industry prepare me for this?
Maybe.
Maybe the universe was lining it all up.
From my early culinary career, to learning how to garden and preserve food, to building a career in solar—maybe every version of me was quietly preparing for this one.
Arizona is home.
And I finally feel ready to live in it—on my terms.
Next Up...
So why did I decide on raw land instead of a jump start?
There’s a pretty cool reason—and we’ll dig into that next time. In the meantime, check out this video on How Africa is Regreening Its Deserts to get a peek into where my mind’s been lately.
This journey isn’t just about building a home. It’s about regeneration, sustainability, and playing the long game.