Living Off Grid for 46 Years | Al and his Hydroelectric Water Wheel

In this video, I meet with Al (82 years of age) one year after helping him rebuild/refurbish his hydroelectric water wheel. We discuss how the wheel has been performing since, and some of the issues he's faced with it, as well as solutions and plans going forward. Al then gives me a more in-depth view of how he has managed to live on his property in rural Washington state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States for 46 years. A combination of solar power, his water wheel, and a backup generator provide him with off grid power. While a natural spring provides gravity fed drinking water to his main house, as well as his many unique and custom built out-buildings (including a sauna cabin). Al and I conclude our visit by hiking to the highest point on his 40 acre parcel of land to catch a view of Mt St Helens and reminisce about the 1980 eruption.

Here is a link to the video of Al and I rebuilding the wheel:

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[albutterfield]

Great video Diego, I should talk louder. I'm 82 actually

[albutterfield]

3M views. Wow. Thanks for all the nice comments. I love you all

[roblepper]

This guy is an inspiration. Imagine the life you could live living this way. It would be a lot of work but you would be healthy mentally and physically. Truly awesome.

[ducatiSPS]

I'm 53 living in London, worrying about interest rates, job security and everything else in between, then I see this Guy....this Guy has all the answers.
I salute you

[livefreeordie]

82 and still living off grid. Truly inspirational.

[chele-chele]

Old Al is living the dream, total freedom, no worries and at 82 he's running strong. Congrats!

[snooter]

His laugh is wonderful. A small snicker and a smile is all you get. I also love how he said "I have a hard time throwing anything away" but he doesn't hesitate at all to give it to someone who needs it. That speaks volumes alone.

[Aurora-pijr]

When your employer asks you where do you see yourself in 5 years:

[ladeene]

Absolutely fabulous. Life was supposed to be like this. Even as a child I wanted his life. My brother and I when we were 8 and 7 ran away from home to go to our family property in oklahoma and live in the woods. We made it 2 miles before a neighbor told our parents they saw us on the hiway. If I'm lying I'm dying. Ironically just a year later we moved up there on that mountain and "camped" for 9 months while our parents built our cabin. In our 50's now we still consider that time the best in our lives. Our father still regrets letting that property go. And life goes on. Thanks for sharing this gem.

[James-ngbx]

Imagine how well this guy must sleep with that calm waterfall sound going on these guys are very gifted

[twlicds]

Wisdom is knowing what to do next; Skill is knowing how ot do it, and Virtue is doing it.

[selmandeyanayih]

There should be a like button for every time one finds something they love in the video.

[reb]

Al is a great friend to have, you are lucky. He is definitely living the highlife…

[M.Campbell]

Beautiful. He's living lightly on the land and bothering no one. May he be there for many more years.

[shadow]

Al is awesome, imagine being in that good shape at 82?

[Mysticfateee]

This is such a beautiful story. I think Al is also really blessed with how things have turned out, having every source of water go by his house, not having any trees ever fall onto his house, only ever seeing a bear ONCE in 40+ years of living there. He truly has a peaceful place he can call his own

[drew]

Pure gold having a property with a stream and spring of running water.

[forgotusername]

The fact Al was able to climb to the top of that mountain is awesome and inspiring.

[philmarwood]

He has the life most of us wish for and dream of, but few get to live. Good luck and wishes for many more years of peaceful life in your home.

[chrisblyth]

He reminds me so much of my late grandfather, not throwing anything away and keeping life simple. Live long and prosper Al.