Help with some building projects at my forested homestead in the White Mountains in Bethel, Maine, USA

Details

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  Description

  Hello!. I’m a former trail worker/ traveller. I own a small forested plot about 2 miles from the Main Street of Bethel, Maine. I’ve done quite a few worktrades around the country and a little in Europe. I’ve had good and bad hosts so I know what you Traveler’s go through! I will strive to be a warm and welcoming host. I have 2 bicycles that you can use and I will invite you to all my recreational activities/ parties I go to!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will meet other offgridders and trail workers. As a result you will learn a lot about camping, backpacking, foraging, herbalism etc..
  
  There are a couple cool organisations I’m involved with including the Mahousic land trust, Allan day community garden, and CEBE. They host a bunch of different events, such as volunteer garden days, pizza nights with a wood fired pizza oven, trail work, and skill shares. You are welcome to come volunteer for any of these organisations.
  
  
  I have recently dove into the primitive skills network. There are a few schools in Maine ranging from a 40 minute drive to 1.5 hours. Moose ridge primitive skills, Wilder waters and Maine primitive skills are the ones I know of. I’m hoping to form relationships with them as well this summer. I’m currently getting into blacksmithing, spoon carving, basket weaving, and raw hide sewing, but the knowledge out there is limitless.
  
  I encourage creativity and will help you with any project of your own as well.

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  Help

  I’m trying to make my land as self sufficient as possible. I have extensive trail work knowledge which perfectly translates over to an off grid lifestyle. I have a lot of experience with the following (and need help!):
  
  -Cutting trees large and small with chainsaw or axe
  -Bucking trees and splitting firewood
  -Earth and tread work including building rock staircases, drainage structures and retaining walls. By hand
  -I built my own small house! I need help finishing it. This includes siding, insulating and interior finish work.
  
  A lot of work will also involve building small structures with the native timber (pavilion, shed, wood storage, open to more ideas!). Me and my buddies bought a bandsaw mill together so we will be milling some lumber as well.
  
  I also have a few creative projects and ideas going on. I will be making a sort of stained glass window for my house, a pizza oven, a small wood heated hot tub and other crafts such as candle making.
  
  I have a garden and plan to expand it every year until it is sufficient to feed me all year.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  I know some Spanish. Hardly enough though. Would love to learn more
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  Accommodation

  Located in Bethel, Maine! Good cell reception if you have Verizon or a carrier that uses their towers. I have a laptop too if you need to borrow it (I can set up a hotspot).
  
  Camping/ limited solar electricity (enough to charge your phone). Just got a well drilled so will have plenty of clean water .
  
  No shower yet but will plumb out a spigot and set up and propane heated outdoor shower as soon as possible. For the past few years I have been jumping into the brook down the road.
  
  No toilets. However, I have a bin composting system worked out that is, in my opinion, nicer than an outhouse. You need to be tough. Lots of bugs during the summer including ticks.
  
  I have a few spots to pitch a tent. If you don’t own a tent I have one and can get more.I also have a pretty good way of setting up ren fair style tarp tents. I’m currently living in the open air under one. Van lifers are encouraged. I have many places to park.
  
  I enjoy community meals and cook on a fire exclusively lately (I have some stoves too) But it is not necessary if you aren’t into it. There’s an excellent food pantry open 3 days a week in town where I get most of my food (veggies,bread, meat, canned food, has it all) It’s grocery shopping style. You can come along and pick out what you need.
  
  If there is anything thing you think my property needs don’t be shy and let me know. We can work together to get the item affordably (or make it!). I will pay for it of course.

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  What else ...

  Smack in the middle of the White Mountain National Forest on the western edge of Maine. There are many hiking opportunities and I also plan on helping the people hiking the Appalachian trail (host bbqs for them/free rides/hopefully parties).
  
  Plenty of places to swim (think waterfalls/cliff jumping). Secret spots and public.
  
  I have a few friends that rock climb and mountain bike if you are into that. There are biking trails a mile from my house and I have an old bike you can use as well.
  
  There are multiple rivers and lakes in the area and I own two old plastic canoes that can be taken on rocky water if you wanted we can take a trip!
  
  I also plan on going gem hunting and searching old abandoned places as well if time permits. Lots of adventures.
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  The town of Bethel is up and coming, quickly becoming a more desirable place to live. The ski resort draws in the tourists/money and as a result this small rural town has extraordinary shops and museums.
  
  Food.
  There is a bakery, Thai fusion restaurant , Chinese restaurant , burger place, sushi restaurant, grocery store, and community garden all on Main Street.
  
  Entertainment.
  Bowling alley, local movie theatre, extremely small farmers market, mineral/gem museum, tourist shops and a bunch of bars.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Any size

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  Can possibly accept pets

  My one neighbor has dogs. Harmless but they get out a lot and will come onto the edge of my property/bark.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  ~4 hours a day, 4 days a week