A Day in Our Life: On This Remote Ranch

Life Unplugged

Life here isn’t easy, but it’s beautiful. I think of my time on this island as a form of meditation. Everything we do requires patience and effort, and without that mindset, living here would be nearly impossible.

We’re in one of the most remote locations in the world, situated on an island that feels like a hidden gem. There’s one paved road that stretches from town to a beach called Anakena. Once you reach the end of that road, where the pavement stops, our journey begins. It’s a 30-minute drive from there to our home.

Nestled on the island's northern fringes, each day is filled with unknowns and a mix of nature and delightful mayhem. Our ranch is the most secluded spot on the island, a true escape that feels miles away, even though it’s only 50 minutes from town. Getting here involves a winding 30-minute driveway through my uncle's land, past four gates that feel like thresholds to another world. Once we’re here, we’re surrounded by the wild beauty of the land, far from the distractions of modern life.

Living off-grid is quiet and beautiful, but it also creates a heightened awareness that can be hard to appreciate in a more abundant environment. We have no running water, no electricity, and no cell service—just the land and us. On some nights, as I stand outside looking out at the water, I marvel at how isolated we are. It’s a strange feeling, but also liberating. I connect to the internet via Starlink, powered by solar panels at our main house and a generator that hums in the background at our cabin.

When it comes to water, we fetch it ourselves. We draw from a freshwater well and collect rainwater for cooking and cleaning. Hot water is a real treat here, thanks to a simple system that heats our water—definitely a luxury in our remote setting!

Our days have a rhythm, shaped by essential tasks that change daily. We have our routine: building fences, grooming horses, planting and harvesting crops, and maintaining our home. The list never truly ends! Each morning greets us with a checklist of adventures. One of our most important tasks is taking the animals to water. It sounds straightforward, but this chore can easily take 2 to 4 hours. We saddle our horses and set off on a mini expedition to find our cows and horses, who love to play hide-and-seek in their favorite spots. Counting them becomes an adventure, especially when we find a sneaky escapee that needs rounding up, which adds more to our list!

Once we’ve gathered the herd, we lead them to the ocean’s edge, where Thomas has crafted a clever water system. It involves a rocky tide pool where waves crash and swirl, filtering salty seawater through layers of rocks until it becomes fresh. We climb down the cliffside to pour gas into the motor to pump this precious water up into troughs, all while the tide comes in and out.'

Fetching drinking water is another essential quest. We don’t do this every day, but when we do, it’s a mini adventure. We ride down to fill our jugs from the well, which also gives us a little workout. The water is perfectly chilled and refreshing.

Beyond the essentials, our days include feeding chickens with our homegrown corn, tending to our garden, and cooking meals. Cooking together is something Thomas and I both love; being in the kitchen or over the fire is one of my favorite places to be. Mealtime becomes an important part of our day as a family.

A typical day looks like this: we wake up, brew a steaming cup of coffee, and enjoy breakfast made from what we have on the ranch. After breakfast, it’s off to water the horses and get our own drinking water. After lunch, I might put the baby down for a nap while Thomas feeds the animals. Then we check on the garden, harvest vegetables for dinner, and head down to the beach for a swim and some fishing.

As the sun sets, we gather for dinner. It might sound quiet, but it’s far from sad. Our dinner table is usually peaceful, as we unwind and enjoy the moment. After the baby is asleep, Thomas and I often sit outside with a cup of tea under a starlit sky that feels impossibly close.

So there you have it: a day in our enchanted corner of the world—filled with beauty, challenge, and the simple joy of living in harmony with nature. Each moment is a celebration of life, reminding us that every day can be an adventure if we open our hearts to the magic around us!

This is just a snapshot; a more detailed version would fill half a novel. There are many challenges, and sometimes it gets really hard, and I cry. But the beauty of living this way makes the effort worthwhile.

The heat, the air, and the sporadic rain add to our daily experience. The true luxury of living here lies in the small things—like picking fresh figs off the back of my horse, eating uni straight from the water, and riding alongside my daughter as she listens to her father sing. These small luxuries remind us to appreciate the basics, like having clean drinking water—something many of us take for granted until we have to fill our jugs at the well.

Ultimately, every day here reminds us that life is about embracing the challenges and celebrating the simple joys that come our way. It’s a beautiful journey, and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.