We had a dream – retire from our frustrating full time employment and run a bed and breakfast, keep chickens, grow vegetables, and run a few beehives. Live the life of a homesteader and be self sufficient. We found five acres with amazing 360 degree views, about six minutes west of Osoyoos, BC, just off Highway 3, not far from Spotted Lake. The acreage was fenced, had a good gate, and two water wells.
As usual, we did our homework, researching Municipal Bylaws to make sure our dream could fit within the zoning requirements – so far, so good.
We interviewed multiple drafts people, and selected one from Osoyoos. We did the same for builders, and also selected one from Osoyoos. If we were going to live in a small community, it made sense to start building relationships with the locals – so far, so good.
We researched the costs of running power to the property, and installing a large propane storage tank for fireplaces and gas range. We gathered the system requirements for installing a geothermal heat pump for hearting and cooling. The draftsperson made a number of recommendations about thermal efficiency because of the vast temperature differences between the height of summer and the dead of winter – so far, so good.
We made an offer, with one important subject to requirement – a water-well test for quality and quantity to satisfy the demands of a four suite bed and breakfast. The day of the test, we had twelve inches of snow, and for safety sake, the water well expert chose not to drive up the steep driveway in his truck – so far, we are beginning to get worried.
We walked up the drive in deep snow. The well expert looked around, while pointing to each of the neighbouring properties, and began to describe to us, what each of the wells were capable of delivering, and why each property had multiple wells drilled down to between 500 and 600 feet. Long story short – we would be lucky to get one gallon per minute, not enough for our needs, and the quality based on each well he had tested in the area, wouldn’t meet the quality standards established by interior health – poof, just like that, our dreams imploded.
We had a long drive to get back home, each of us lost in our own thoughts. During the following weeks we looked at different properties online, and after chatting back and forth, a new plan was born – shelve the bed and breakfast, and in its place, travel across and explore Canada with the Jeep Rubicon and our rooftop tent.
A weight felt like it was lifted off our shoulders. When nothing goes right, go left.