From on the road to off the grid, the Bigelows transition to a homesteading lifestyle after two years traveling the United States. 

Somewhere near Cadillac, down seemingly endless miles of rough and narrow dirt roads lives Jon and Jae Bigelow. Out in what many would consider the middle of nowhere, the Bigelows purchased a 25-acre plot of land to make their home. Jon and Jae live off the grid in Northern Michigan without internet, TV, or even a mailing address, commodities that many people require for everyday life. These are things the Bigelows are happy to forgo for a life with more freedom. 

Before settling down in Northern Michigan, Jon and Jae spend the last two years on the road. Boondocking their way through around 40 states over the last two years, the Bigelows lived out of their RV traveling from state to state. “We spent our time mostly in a few different states,” said Jon, “Mostly in Oregon, Arizona and Northern California.” But due to the uncertainty surrounding lockdown situations from COVID-19, the two decided to look for a spot to settle down. “We contacted a relator in Northern Michigan,” said Jon, “We were just looking for land, we weren’t even looking for outbuildings… a home, but we looked at the place once and fell in love.” 

Due to the virus and several state government's decision to restrict travel, Jon and Jae didn’t want to be stranded somewhere without a way out. “When COVID hit,” said Jae, “being on the road became no fun, we were both were kind of freaked out a little.” 

To afford to live on the road and purchasing land to settle on, both Jon and Jae live debt-free. “It started before we got married, we were on track to pay off all of our debt within two years,” said Jae, “we bought our trailer in cash, we bought our truck in cash, and nothing we ever buy is new, always used.” The two currently work part-time jobs to cover basic upkeep for gas and property tax. Working two or three days a week allows them to travel and now live however they want. 

Their 25-acre property includes a prebuild, single bedroom home. The Bigelows draw electricity from two sun-tracking solar panels and a back-up generator for when solar doesn’t cut it. That electricity powers six golf kart batteries; enough power to run their LED lights, oven, or light microwave usage. Their home is heated through an old wood furnace that Jon and Jae keep stocked throughout the day. The Bigelow’s water source comes from either a hand-pump outside the home or by attaching an electric pump to their generator and then to the well line. The previously mentioned method is how the two get and store water for bathroom use and dishes. A hose is run from the electric pump up into the house to fill three large drums for storage. 

The transition from being on the road to the homesteading lifestyle has given the two more opportunities to live their lives how they see fit. “[The shift from boondocking] hasn’t been too difficult,” said Jon, “We’re kinda living the same lifestyle we were on the road, just without the road.” 

The transition to homesteading off the grid allows for Jon and Jae to focus on getting closer to their goal of being self-sufficient. “We know there’s always going to be things we’re going to have to get from the store,” said Jon, “But the less we rely on, the more freedom we really have.” Lockdowns and panic buying due to the virus showed how easy it is for supply lines to fail. By hunting, forging, and growing their own food they can avoid potentially being without something they need. “If you can grow your own food,” said Jon, “it’s healthy for you and you don’t need to be a slave to the matrix.”