Off-grid forest homestead help in the garden and more in Northern California, USA

United States

updated Last minute

Favourited 486 times

Host rating
Feedback
30
Last activity
18/09/2020
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 1 day
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This listing is a Last minute host. They have let us know that they are looking for help immediately as well as at other times of the year.

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Availability

2020

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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What's this?

Details

Description
I'm living an off the grid life in the middle of the forest, in a beautiful location close to the redwood forest in Northern California, surrounded with rivers and wild life.

I would like to share my off grid way of life with people interested in living that way, having a simple life. I want people that like to give me a helping hand, love the forest and feel good in nature. I have some projects to do with general construction, a wood shed (always need help to bring in firewood), some gardening and if things go well, I would be happy to go hiking, rafting adventures, into the redwoods, go to the coast or any other activity.

It will all depend on the season the tasks to be done but firewood is the main help I will need. I have a bad back and the help is really needed and appreciated.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Farmstay help
Help with Eco Projects
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will learn to live off grid, understanding how to live with nature, because nature is the one that is providing water, heat, electricity and entertainment. Also you will learn how to work with wood, I can teach you how to use some tools and general construction. You will have the experience to see how is life in the middle of the forest and I'll be happy to share anything I could.
I've traveled 28 countries and I've gained many good stories to share with you.
Help
The main activities I'm going to need are:
Firewood collection.
General construction.
Gardening/yard help
General maintenance of the home or cabin.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
I have a trailer that is fully equipped with a small kitchen, hot water, bed, wood stove, propane stove, 12 volt light and outside shower and compost toilet .
If it's a group of 3 or more we can use the trailer as base then the others must camp. I do have a 40 foot shipping container open on both ends that has a wood stove. And other camp sites if you have your own tent I do have some extra camping gear
The property is in a really nice area with a micro climate, next to the creek, the electricity comes from the sun and we have spring water.
What else ...
There are a lot of things to do: rafting, hiking, go to the river, explore the forest, a trip to the ocean where the redwoods meet the ocean, go to the redwoods, camping somewhere, make a fire, anything you have in mind.

In terms of transport: there is a bus that comes pretty close and I will pick you up.

If all of this sounds good to you and you would like to volunteer, I prefer to be in contact via Skype. I usually set up a Skype call with my volunteers so that we can chat about logistics and whether we are suited for each other.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

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Feedback left by and about host (30)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

24/01/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Mark)

Thanks for all your help Mark we sure did get a lot done you were here for all the fall colors and a snow storm well good luck on you journey and wishing you all the best

(Excellent )

24/01/2020

Left by Workawayer (Mark) for host

Tim was my first workaway gig and he handled getting me settled into his routine in the offgrid life well.His place is amazing to say the least! We cleared alot of brush did a little trail blazing and cut and split firewood.I must say as a 61 year old I was able to keep up and it was good for me.I spent close to 3 months there and we accomplished… read more

(Excellent )

15/08/2019

Left by Workawayer (Julien) for host

I did spend a ver, very instructive month in Tim and Libby's company. It was an incredible experience, and I am very grateful to have had this great opportunity to live this life for a month.
The property is great, very beautiful, and Tim is full of stories and love for life. It is truly an unique experience to live and help at Tim's property. The… read more

(Excellent )

13/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Julien)

Julien thank you so much for all your help anyone who has a chance to spend some time with Julien take it he is so nice to have around with great world travel stories and a kind hart good luck ion your journey and hope to see you again

(Excellent )

04/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Jack)

Thank you Jack for all your help jack has helped me so much in the two months he was here ready to help me in any way i ask even getting up early to beat the heat in the garden thanks so much for all your help and i hope to see you again wishing you all the best jack

(Excellent )

03/08/2019

Left by Workawayer (Jack) for host

This was my first workaway and I am very happy that I got to go to Tim’s. The area is absolutely beautiful and Tim is very well versed in off grid living. Anyone from a big city like I am stands to learn a lot during the trip. The bees are amazing and there is an abundance of wildlife. Tim’s dog Libby is also a great guide. The other workawayers I… read more

(Excellent )

05/06/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Elana & Adam)

Thanks Elana and Adam so much for all your help good luck on all your life journeys

(Excellent )

26/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Amber)

Amber thank you so much for coming here to help me and i hope you will be able to come back and spend some more time nextyear if any host has a chance to have Amber work with them you should take it she is so nice to have around kind and very thoughtful hard worker your life will only be better with Amber around thanks for all the great talks and… read more

(Excellent )

26/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Amber) for host

Words are too light to describe my incredible time in the woods with Tim!!! I was there for only 10 days, but after 10 days I could call Tim family and the woods my home.:relaxed:

I’m mesmerized by the beautiful views around me and fun works I get to help Tim with. The sound of the creek, chatter of the hummingbirds, aroma of fir trees and every… read more

(Excellent )

20/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Felix)

Felix was a big help getting ready for winter ready to help in any way we had a great time talking on our walks and in the redwoods and the coast good luck on all your journeys

(Excellent )

20/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Felix) for host

Where do I actually start. Tim was my first workaway host and I had an incredibly good time with him. Since the winter was starting to come very close there wasn't that much stuff to do but it was still enough to keep me busy. Tim is an amazing guy with an amount of knowledge about stuff that I can't even imagine. We went on a daily walk together… read more

(Excellent )

23/11/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Jack)

Jack thank you so much with all your help splitting and stacking firewood and all the other chores around the homestead jack is great to have around very helpful he has great stores of his travels he is always willing to pitch in to help doing any chores he is also a good cook and great conversation good luck on all you future journeys

(Excellent )

23/11/2018

Left by Workawayer (Jack) for host

I had a great time here with Tim. His home is beautiful and there are some fantastic hikes. I helped Tim stack wood, gained good experience handling outdoor equipment and did lots of other types of activity such as beekeeping and laying down straw for the winter months. We had some great conversations together and Tim is a great cook, I had the… read more

(Excellent )

09/11/2018

Left by Workawayer (Dayna-Gay) for host

This place is a life-filled piece of heaven, and I fully mean that. It was an absolute blessing and privilege to have experienced Tim’s raw and beautiful piece of land! I was lucky enough to be there for 3 weeks through October when the maple leaves along the creek were changing into bursts of reds and orange - but even when it was all green, the… read more place was like a deep green breath of refreshing!

Tim is a wonderful, warm-hearted man whose heart is to love the land and the people and animals that share it. I am grateful to have met him and I enjoyed learning about his adventures and experiences of life. And there’s Libby, the best dog I’ve ever known. She will melt your heart and make you want to kidnap her - and that’s coming from someone who has never even taken to dogs! The two of them live a full life and sharing in it was special.

What i appreciate about Tim is that he is intentional about helping each workawayer find work on the homestead that is both effective as well as meaningful and enjoyable for you. There are the general tasks that need doing but I for example, as an artist, was asked to help Tim repaint his whole cabin and redecorate the space - together we turned it into a home for him and that was SO MUCH FUN.

I would recommend this to everyone, but especially those who are looking for a stripped down, back to basics, peaceful time in the middle of nature and all its beautiful quirks. You won’t regret it.

Don’t expect luxurious experiences, that’s not what the environment’s priorities are - expect to work hard, communicate your expectations/questions well (Tim is very understanding and accommodating), use basic facilities like an outside shower and a compost toilet, and expect to rough it at times. It is so worth it, the place and the work is purposeful and will refresh you!

Tim was so kind to take us to Arcata on the Pacific coast and show us the Redwoods, and he shared his beekeeping knowledge and process with us too which was fascinating and special. If you’re lucky, you might even get to meet Tim’s amazing neighbors Dave and Annette - there is such a cool community of good-hearted people out in Tim’s Area. I was initially concerned about the seclusion of the homestead but it is not completely isolated and there are neighboring occupied pieces of land all around. So lots of people to meet when you go for a walk!

I know I’ll be back one day, and will bring friends and family with me too! Thanks again Tim. See you in South Africa one day soon!

(Excellent )

28/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Dayna-Gay)

Dayna thank you so much my cabin is so nice now with new paint and your wonderful art work on the walls Dayna-Gay is so nice to have around she has some great stories to share and is a good cook also i hope to make it to South Africa some day soon good luck on your travels thanks for everything ps.please send some of your photos to my facebook

(Excellent )

22/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Daniela) for host

My time in Tim’s house was amazing! I really enjoyed this beautiful and gentle forest. Tim is a great host, he likes to teach and share about live and living out. This is a magical place with super nice people around. I’ve learnt about woods, fire making, bees, gardening and I had very nice conversations about live and society. This is for sure a… read more

(Excellent )

18/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Daniela)

Daniela thank you so much what a great help working in the garden and with firewood and your Ayurveda therapies also i enjoy talking with you very much good luck in all your travels and your welcome here anytime and what a great time in the redwoods hope to see you again soon thanks

(Excellent )

07/06/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Martin)

thank you martin for all your hard work getting this place in order in the spring time you are welcome here anytime and martin would be a great workawayer for anyone looking for help good luck in all your future travels brother

(Excellent )

07/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (Martin) for host

This was my first Workaway experience and I must say I cant imagine a better place to start. Tim is an amazing person, very kind and understanding, always trying to help and explain everything we were doing. I learnt so much from him; about living off the grid, about what it takes to take care of a such big property deep in the woods... I had a… read more

(Excellent )

04/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (latreille) for host

i spend 1mounth and half whit tim in the shasta forest that was my best experience in USA, Tim is realy a great teacher i learned a lot whit im and we been in mountain for riding and discover the redwoods in redwoods NP.
if you want to spend a good time in wonderfull place whit nice men , go to visiting tim you will not waste your time !!! thanks… read more

(Excellent )

22/04/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (latreille)

hey Leon thanks for all your help it was great redwoods to snow skiing good luck on your trip around the US thanks again ...tim

(Excellent )

06/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Hanna)

Hana has been a huge help, physically and mentally having her around. She has a great zest for life and hard worker. Anyone who gets a chance to spend time with her is lucky and would be a true joy. She seemed to see the beauty in nature where others would have walked by from the mushrooms growing nearby to the light coming through the trees. She… read more

(Excellent )

03/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Hanna) for host

It's hard to begin how incredible my experience here has been. I've stayed here about a month right into the time before winter hit. Tim is a wonderful host, kind hearted, holds an abundance of knowledge about the surrounding area and a great reference for life skills living off grid. I spent most work days clearing the forest and making fires,… read more

(Excellent )

28/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Christina) for host

Tim's workaway/property was/is an excellent opportunity to be secluded/immersed in beautiful nature. The landscape and plants as the season shifted to fall were beautiful and surreal. It is really a gem of hidden projects. Though it was getting cold, Tim was always very accommodating, ensuring that I (and everyone) was happy and okay/warm and… read more

(Excellent )

25/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Christina)

christina was great help to me she was here four weeks very quite kind hard working self motived thank you christina good luck on your journey

(Excellent )

05/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Martin )

oh martin what a great time it was with you here it was great to hear about Scotland and to listen to you talk thanks for all your help i wish you all the best on your travels

(Excellent )

05/11/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Chris)

Chris was a great help he was here about a month always ready to work one of the best things about chris is he plays music very nice person to have around thanks chris and good luck on your journey

(Excellent )

05/11/2017

Left by Workawayer (Chris) for host

Such a wonderful place to stay, hidden away in the midst of a gorgeous national forest. Tim is very knowledgeable and hardworking, a great teacher of all the skills and tricks necessary to survive in the woods. I had a blast chopping firewood and learning how to live without modern conveniences. An abundance of natural beauty surrounds the… read more

(Excellent )

13/10/2017

Left by Workawayer (Rodrigo) for host

I had an amazing time working with Tim! I learned so much about the work that living off-the-grid requires and his place is just beautiful! Completely surrounded by nature. There's a lot of green area to hike around and explore. He even has an outdoors hot tub. Tim is a great guy, has great stories from his trips around the world and is always… read more

(Excellent )

13/10/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Rodrigo)

thank you so much for all your help best of luck to you on your travels

(Excellent )

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