(07-01-2015, 02:32 PM)81alum link Wrote:Here is a classic Sports Illustrated article about a man who really did live off the grid. It was published in 1966. I met Sylvan Hart (aka "Buckskin Bill") a few years later when my Dad and I backpacked in to see him. Later, when rafting the River of No Return became popular, he had more regular visitors as the rafters would pull over when he raised his doughnut flag, indicating that he would feed them doughnuts!
Not only was Buckskin Bill a fascinating man, this was an exceptionally well written (and extensive) article and puts to shame the writing that is done in Sports Illustrated today.
Enjoy!
http://www.si.com/vault/1966/10/03/61064...untain-men
(07-01-2015, 02:32 PM)81alum link Wrote:Here is a classic Sports Illustrated article about a man who really did live off the grid. It was published in 1966. I met Sylvan Hart (aka "Buckskin Bill") a few years later when my Dad and I backpacked in to see him. Later, when rafting the River of No Return became popular, he had more regular visitors as the rafters would pull over when he raised his doughnut flag, indicating that he would feed them doughnuts!
Not only was Buckskin Bill a fascinating man, this was an exceptionally well written (and extensive) article and puts to shame the writing that is done in Sports Illustrated today.
Enjoy!
http://www.si.com/vault/1966/10/03/61064...untain-men
(07-02-2015, 11:31 AM)Durty Nelly link Wrote:I met Bill a few times in the late 70's. He was a character and loved to show off his collection of various items. The pickled baby mountain lion was memorable as was his handmade large bore rifle/cannon (he was still having forest service issues).Did you see him when rafting? Yes, he was fond of asking if you would like to see his kittens, then getting that old pickle jar out.
(07-02-2015, 11:31 AM)Durty Nelly link Wrote:I met Bill a few times in the late 70's. He was a character and loved to show off his collection of various items. The pickled baby mountain lion was memorable as was his handmade large bore rifle/cannon (he was still having forest service issues).Did you see him when rafting? Yes, he was fond of asking if you would like to see his kittens, then getting that old pickle jar out.
(07-02-2015, 02:12 PM)Durty Nelly link Wrote:Do you know if the Indian pictograms were the plains/Oklahoma Indians (where he grew up) or the Nezperce who were native to Central Idaho?I do not remember, and sadly, my family no longer has the shoulder blade. My father may have given it to a museum before he died. I remember a conversation about it, and something tells me Plains Indians, but it also could simply have been Buckskin's own concoction, I suppose.
(07-02-2015, 02:12 PM)Durty Nelly link Wrote:Do you know if the Indian pictograms were the plains/Oklahoma Indians (where he grew up) or the Nezperce who were native to Central Idaho?I do not remember, and sadly, my family no longer has the shoulder blade. My father may have given it to a museum before he died. I remember a conversation about it, and something tells me Plains Indians, but it also could simply have been Buckskin's own concoction, I suppose.
Quote:Robin Speronis is not being prosecuted for living off-grid. This story is taking place in Cape Coral, FL, where I lived for 20 years and where my parents still live.
She's being prosecuted for spreading raw sewage all over her yard and contaminating her neighbors.
In Florida, you can go off the grid and live without electricity all you like (and if you Google the court case, which I'll get to in a moment, you'll see the judge explicitly stated she wasn't being cited for being off the power grid).
She was collecting rainwater but still using the sewer without paying for it, which is what she was originally cited for. After that, she started throwing raw sewage all over the yard, which is why she was cited again.
Quote:"There is nothing illegal about living "off the grid," provided interested citizens go through proper channels. We encourage green environmental living, and our departments stand ready and willing to guide citizens through the appropriate permitting process. We have several residents in the City utilizing solar power and some are actually putting power back on the grid.
"The source of Mr. Truitt's utilities is not an issue. No resident is required to buy utilities from the city. Any property owner, however, is required to meet the building codes that are enforced across the city. The systems Mr. Truitt has attempted to put in do not meet any of the building codes, nor did Mr. Truitt apply for any permits as required by law. His sanitary situation further violates state health codes."
Quote:Robin Speronis is not being prosecuted for living off-grid. This story is taking place in Cape Coral, FL, where I lived for 20 years and where my parents still live.
She's being prosecuted for spreading raw sewage all over her yard and contaminating her neighbors.
In Florida, you can go off the grid and live without electricity all you like (and if you Google the court case, which I'll get to in a moment, you'll see the judge explicitly stated she wasn't being cited for being off the power grid).
She was collecting rainwater but still using the sewer without paying for it, which is what she was originally cited for. After that, she started throwing raw sewage all over the yard, which is why she was cited again.
Quote:"There is nothing illegal about living "off the grid," provided interested citizens go through proper channels. We encourage green environmental living, and our departments stand ready and willing to guide citizens through the appropriate permitting process. We have several residents in the City utilizing solar power and some are actually putting power back on the grid.
"The source of Mr. Truitt's utilities is not an issue. No resident is required to buy utilities from the city. Any property owner, however, is required to meet the building codes that are enforced across the city. The systems Mr. Truitt has attempted to put in do not meet any of the building codes, nor did Mr. Truitt apply for any permits as required by law. His sanitary situation further violates state health codes."
