Abandoned Cabin in the Woods & Life Update
Part two…exploring an off grid property belonging to my family that has been mostly abandoned for the past decade. And a life update :) Thanks for being here ♡
Part 1: • i feel stuck.
Links to ALL my favorite photography, road life & camping essentials 🛒 I get a small kickback when you purchase using these links, thanks for your support :) christianschaffer.art/faq-gear
Love these videos and want to support my travels with a tip? ♡ paypal.me/ChristianSchaffer
Business Inquiries: info(at)christianschaffer.art
Website: christianschaffer.art/
Instagram: / christianschaffer
X (Twitter): / christianschafr
Facebook: / christianschaffer.art
Music is from MUSICBED 🎶 Elevate your videos with record-label quality songs: fm.pxf.io/c/3032992/1347628/1...
I’m Christian Schaffer, and I’ve lived on the road full-time since May 2018. This journey began in 2013 when I left the corporate world to build my career as an outdoor adventure & travel photographer. After 14 months of SUV living - I bought the van I now call home. Van life enables me to experience and document the beauty of our natural world, while also having my home and office nearby. My hope is that by sharing my own personal highs and lows along this (sometimes) wild journey, you might be inspired to hit the road or spend more time outdoors. Maybe one day I'll see you out on that open road 🚐
*My van is a 2019 Ram ProMaster 1500 High Roof, 136" WB with 61K miles*
#vanlife #solofemale #offgrid
MB01SDAQKFKHWJR
Seriously how has Hollywood not scooped you up? You provide enchanted, magical, content. You are so talented and amazing and no matter where the road takes you, you will always have an audience.
She’s too good for Hollywood, in my opinion
She doesn’t need Hollywood…she’s got KZhead. ;)
She's far more real than any Hollywood stuff.
Hollywood is a cesspool.
She is real, thank God Hollyweird has not scooped her up. Merry Christmas 🎄
Whew, Christian! This one was packed full - full of all of the things that make life life. Dreams, possibilities, indecisions, beloved ancestors, family history, personal exploration... The good news is that there are no mistakes, just choosing one option over another. I really love that you allow us to follow along on your life journey. Thank you.
It’s been an eventful couple of months! Thanks for being here ☺️
Well said Sharry! Thank you Christian for letting us into your life.
After traveling solo around the world for a year, I came back expressly for the same reasons: a need for stability and socializing. It's been 6 months now and I need adventure again. Moral of the story is that we work on a system of craving and reward, and embracing it gives us the balance between order and disorder. Keep up the great videos Christian.
You will not find what you're looking for, it will find you! Safe travels and happy holidays 😀
Great advice.
You can't keep your cake and eat it too.
I love that ☺️🙏🏻
I thought I knew what I wanted out of life, only to find some thing/someone completely different to expectation. I am in awe as to what life throws up at the most unexpected time ! Cake and eat it......dam right!@@ChristianSchaffer
Hey Christian! Let me briefly share my experience, because I’ve been in a similar situation. I was really tired living in my van. Not tired of it, mind you, just tired of having to do all the things you listed so accurately by myself. I was craving stability and not to have to look at Google maps for a while! My partner and I were able to buy a home in the White Mountains of NH, a place I love. But turns out, I had the hardest time adjusting to being in one place. I know that I needed it when we looked for the home and bought it. And I’m still very grateful to have all my stuff in one place. But I terribly miss traveling. So I ordered a truck camper. Same as you, I want to be able to be more remote and off road and even though I had a AWD Ford Transit van the clearance and tires just weren’t enough for what I dream about. Now, I’m lucky to be able to do both: travel when I get fernweh and go home when I have enough. I’ve been thinking how it would be cool for you to purchase a home with nomadic friends and share it. But I know there’s a lot that can go wrong with that setup. I applaud you for being smart and not as impulsive as me. The 2-month house sit sounds perfect to give you time to reflect and notice how you feel. Merry Christmas!
I love the White Mountains. Congratulations. I’ll be there this spring - wonderful hiking and pleasant people.
Thanks for sharing your perspective! I think a mix of traveling/home base would be such a nice balance. The White Mountains are so beautiful, too ☺️
How did you find the house sit,please?
I use Trusted Houses sitters 🙌🏻
I live in a Van during the workeek and live in a country condo on the weekend. I think its the best of both worlds I have the flexibility to work anywhere in the Seattle Metro area but I get a break from the Van on weekends and feel some stability/community. I didn't have a choice I make 90k a year but Seattle house prices are so outrageous that I couldn't afford any house within 1 hours commute of my job.
The roots matter most when there's a storm
A magical tour. How awesome to go back and see what was begun. Grandpa was a good influence in your life. At 70, moving to Texas from Maine, I have really been thinking of the time and treasures, that mean more to me today than then. Life flew. Keep spreading your wings and fly ❤
❤️❤️❤️
You are an amazing storyteller
Do you create a script or storyboard ? What % of time is in prep work and what % is in filming?
Thank you 🥲🙏🏻
Good lord Christian… what vision you have. You can tell a story through your camera like no one else. Such a joy to travel with you… I’m still working on the BBC on your behalf. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, wherever you are this weekend…
🥲🙏🏻
Thanks, Christian, for showing some of your roots and heritage - nice to see you talking happily about your grandpa - pleased you're not crying at rainbows today. That cabin looks a great project tailor-made for you to renovate. 😁🙂🙂
those were happy rainbow tears 😉
I feel like you could go grocery shopping at a Walmart in Cleveland, and somehow come up with beautiful footage, interesting topics, and a great story to tell. Hope you continue to produce some content no matter what direction you decide to go.
Haha 😂 That would be a fun challenge!
There is a deep contentment and sadness in all of us. Every day is a journey where we feel the full effects of each and positively influence our inner thoughts as best we can. We wrap ourselves in nature, music, family, friends and most importantly- ourselves. Thank you for showcasing all of this in your stories.
Love this 🙏🏻
You are a fabulous storyteller! Your adventures are intriguing and captivating. I have been to many of the places you mentioned: Yosemite, CanyonLands and Big Sur. Big Sur was rather interesting since I was hitching way, way back then when I was 18. Carefree and anxious to do something on my own. From there, went to meet my grandmother in Las Vegas for the first time. She had lived there for many years and she was so surprised to meet me. Shocked to hear the knock on her mobile home door at 6:30AM. I’ll never forget those 3 days I spent with her talking about her son (my Dad) and playing cribbage. She was so beautiful with her blond hair and easy communication. In the end, she drove me to the outskirts of town in her cherished pick up truck and dropped me so I could resume my hitchhiking journey back to Connecticut. I was going to be a sophomore in college. And to circle back to Big Sur, I went back after all these years about 5 years ago remembering the places I had stopped when I was 18. Each look out was so beautiful. I love the sea. I look forward to hearing more about your travels. Darrell
That is such a cool story 🥲 I sometimes wish hitchhiking was still a thing. I’ve done it a few times but I don’t think I’d try it anymore unless I really had to
I'm so grateful you share the evolution of not only your life but your thoughts. I can relate on chasing that itch you can't quite satisfy because at the end of the day, the most ideal situation is the opportunity to do it all as your desires naturally evolve in one long cyclical pattern. I want to live in the mountains but I need my family accessible. I want NO ONE around (70%) until I want someone around. (30%). I want to thru hike, work in my wood shop, build an off-grid home and practice permaculture, get better at the mandolin, read by the fire, swim in an ice cold lake, travel over seas and live out of a backpack, etc. It's tough because all things worth doing require time, focus, and money. I hope you find your "cake" and get to "eat it" too. Good luck on your journey and I'm cheering you on! ♥💪🏼🤘🏻
Exactly! So many beautiful possibilities 🥲
Sorry for your loss, he sounds like a wonderful man and an inspiration. 😥 The shorter days and longer nights drive me crazy. This year has been the worst to date... Good luck with the 2 months! 🤞Your feelings of doubt subside!
Brighter days coming 🙏🏻
And that, my friends, is what you call a beautiful soul.
You are an amazing storyteller and truly gifted videographer. I wish you luck in your search for what is next. If I may make a suggestion: you should consider retrieving an item from your grandfather’s property before it is sold. It can be as simple as an old board to mount a photo on or an item that is on one of the structures. When you find your next home, it will bring back your memories from your time there. Enjoy the journey!
I have a few of his hunting knifes, hatchet, and a rifle. And his wallet, which still smells like him even after all these years. I just wish I had gotten one of his flannels, more than anything 🥲 I would have probably worn it out by now, but still..
“Grasshopper was tired. He lay down in a soft place. He knew that in the morning the road would still be there, taking him on and on to wherever he wanted to go.” ― Arnold Lobel, Grasshopper on the Road. Love your work ❤ and your videos...they are awesome ❤. Greetings from Poland 🇵🇱🙌🏻🙏🏻.
Beautiful comment We are all grasshoppers somewhere along the way ❤️
Thank you 🥲🙏🏻
Ah yes! it’s good to get back to your roots and remember all the good times and people that mean the world to you! Have a Merry Christmas Christian 🎄Stay Safe!
I feel the same way. My family is all on the Great Lakes. On the Grand River Reserve and in the Niagara Region of Ontario, but after living in Cali for 13 years and now on Vancouver Island for the 7 years I can’t see myself relocating there. I go for visits and it only reconfirms me not moving back home. We go where we feel alive. Not always “comfortable”, but alive. This is the key for me. Another great video. Thanks for being real.😊🙌🏾
It was good that you checked out the cabins in the Ozarks. Now you move on. Are you also pet sitting at the house? Pics? It seems you take after your grandfather as far as being adventurous goes. Good for you. Being in the great outdoors is good for the soul. Blessings to you Christian!❤
Yep! Pet sitting :) Going on a few adventures with him, too! 🐶
Sounds like living in one place would answer far more questions than continuing on the road will. The road is always out there. Cheers Christian!
This sounds soo familiar. I'm currently house hunting. Love to travel. Love beautiful places. Love animals. Been around the world. Lower 48 many times..to most of the same places. it's so hard to find "the right place". I'm single but lonely. It's as you say. I feel stuck in a lot of ways. My dad died recently so I had to move temporarily to the east coast to help my mom. I'm ok with the house I'm renting. It's not home.. so I'm building a van. 😂 I wish you and everyone who reads this a very Merry Christmas/happy holidays and a Happy New Year! 🎉☃️❄️🎄🥂💖
Thanks for the update and sharing your thoughts with us. Enjoy your new found routine, stability, and community! 🎉
Incredibly beautiful story. Hope you make that stunning property into what it was meant to be.
Thanks for showing us a little bit of your family history. Love that piece of property. Your wagon train of thoughts is healthy, and I think you are right, it's the end of the year maybe we all in some way take count of where we are and where are we going. I hope you realize that with all the options you were ticking off the fact that you can do any of then sets you free. Merry Christmas Christian, enjoy the holidays.
Happy holidays, Dan ☺️🎄
Thanks for the update
Cool, thanks for the update. I love your honesty.
Always a pleasure when a new video from my favorite "roadie" pops up in the feed. Be safe and blessed this Christmas, Christian, and the best for you in 2024 and beyond! ❤
Happy holidays! ☺️
Hey, Christian! I'm also a roadie with a van (also a promaster) and, like you, I really wanted a way to get farther off-road than where my van could go. So I wound up buying a Suzuki Samurai and I tow it behind me. It's been awesome and it's really helped me get into places that my van could never get close to. (I basically overland with it and leave the van somewhere safe. I just got done spending a few months in the Siskiyous and the little Samurai easily got me to the tops of the mountains.) The Samurais are pretty cheap to buy and are easy / cheap to work on and very reliable. And since they're so light, you barely feel them when flat towing. I thought I'd mention the option since I belong to a women's FB van group and a lot of them didn't know they could tow a little 4x4 behind them. Love your work and good luck!
I was going to suggest this. It's adds some complications and ongoing expense in extra fuel towing... but for a minimal outlay, it could be worth a try.
That’s a cool idea! Thanks for sharing
@@ChristianSchaffer If you ever do consider it, I have a specific parts / cost list for a Promaster / Samurai combo that I could put up on Google Docs or the like. Roughly speaking, it was ~$3500 for the towing equipment + whatever the little Samurai costs, which is widely variable depending on condition / options. (Towing packages can be significantly cheaper depending on requirements). I hope it could work for you and thx again for your amazing content!
Woah cool, I’ll keep that in mind! Thank you 🥲🙏🏻
Love watching your thought-provoking videos. I find myself drifting into my own what ifs.
Thanks for sharing your journey with us, happy holidays !!
Merry Christmas. Your ties to your grandfather’s cabins really struck home with me. I’m from Missouri and love the Ozark areas of Missouri and Arkansas and visit regularly. After my father retired from MU my patents moved back to his home place, a farm in the rolling hills of north Mississippi just south of Oxford, it’s been in the family since the 1840s. It been a large part of my entire life. My sister and I kept it after my parents passed. I’m there now. It includes a 100 year old farm house where my Grandparents lived that is filled with childhood memories. I have been struggling with rehabbing the old house. It’s in good shape but needs a lot of work. Finding contractors you can trust is difficult. What you faced with the remote cabins makes my issues look trivial. As tough as it was I believe you made the right decision on the cabins. You’ll find your right path.
Wow, that’s pretty neat. Love that you were able to keep it!
These are the kinds of moments where it seems, out of nowhere, the right person comes into your life and it changes everything. Your decisions will seem simpler after that. Good luck Christian. :)
My guess is she will reject him, out of fear for having to make the sacrifice.
@MR wow, that was a really horrible comment. Especially given the subject matter; the old trope that women aren’t happy u less they find a man. Ugh. 😑
@randyholloway920 wow, that was a really horrible comment. - LOL, it's okay little girl. My big bahd ol wods will stop hurting once you let the grown ups talk. Especially given the subject matter; - You mean the subject matter the OP brought about about a partner with a HETERO protagonist, that you totally missed? You mean that subject matter?? LOL the old trope that women aren’t happy u less they find a man. - Listen, you are clearly fighting your own "demons" and just trying to fight it out with me; clearly what I said struck a nerve with you, not me. I know what I said, and what I didn't. You on the other hand, need to go to local big box store and purchase lots and lots of mirrors, because you need some serious reflecting to do. Ugh. 😑 - In case you weren't aware summer child, there is a thing called a search bar, where you can type the words Child Content in it, and you'll get all the disney and fairy tale videos (that don't expose you to any intellectual adult content) to your hearts content, kay. :)
Awesome video. You do a great job laying it all out there to let others feel as if they are sharing the experience.
Merry Christmas and thank you for sharing. You’re so well composed and thoughtful in addition to being beautiful and having an artistic gift. Everything will fall into place as it’s meant to be. Enjoying your journey thus far and I’m so happy knowing that a gentle spirit like yours is out there making our world a better place.
It was SO GREAT to see you back and filming-- sharing you heritage and family background. I personally believe you've made the right decision and you sound so much happier right now.
🤍
Wow...About 10:00 minutes into this video, I am already feeling the same way. I live out West in CA; I have family in WI, and my Dad's family are from down South. We have land and I often dream of setting up an RV property, barndominium or tiny home down South. I love my CA beach community, but it is so much more expensive here. Thanks for the nostalgia. 😊
Thanks for sharing your story and insights about van like. You are a joy to watch. Happy Holidays to you.
What a rollercoaster ride! Thanks for sharing your thought process as you make these difficult decisions.
Love following your journey!! And love your honesty ❤
I love your talks with us, so down to earth and honest, not contrived. I think you will always be happy wherever you are. Just keep us with you. Happy Holidays to you!
@ChristianSchaffer , I wish you and your beloved merry Christmas and a happy new Year ! Thanks for making this wonderfull and inspiring Video`s for us ❤
Always fun seeing and hearing about your next move.
Great video and life update. Looking forward to a couple extra videos while you’re stationary!
As always, thank you for sharing your journey!!! Wishing you all that you seek. 🖖🌞
I LOVE this! This is so full of life, love, loss, opportunity ... mostly life and love. You tell this so well.
Wow that’s incredible, such a beautiful place and what a story!
Thanks for your life update. That’s a good summary of daily RVing decisions. You continue producing rich content, pro storied and edited productions. You are following your bliss, and all will work out. Wish you happy holidays, and thanks for sharing.
always lovely to hear, see and follow your journey, much love from Australia
Merry Christmas dear Christian. So many thoughts came to mind watching your latest post. Your honest self assessment is beautiful. Take care.
Happy Holidays, Christian! Follow your 🤍
Beautiful story 👏 thanks for sharing 🙏
Merry Christmas Christian. You are a wonderful human being. Enjoy your two months in the NW.
You know you are a west coaster when you say “dude” and it means so much more. 😉❤❤❤
Such an amazing lifestyle…love it!!!
Merry Christmas Christian. Great update on your recent life. The ebbs and flows of life will always bring doubt but also elation. It is life defined. You figure out what makes you happy and chase it with all of your heart and soul. Then you can look back and feel satisfied of a life well lived. There will always be bumps in the road and moments of doubt but you’ll survive all of them with your conviction. Live the life that you deserve and pay it forward where you can. I hope you can find your peace and be happy.
I love that you're sharing all of these thoughts, feelings and questions with us. I live in the back seat of my pickup truck and have been having some of the same life questions and was literally just wondering if it's the season, lol. Either way, thank you for sharing and love your content! :)
Best wishes for Christmastime Christian; follow your dreams and take us along with you x
Happy Holidays. Be safe. Thanks for the update!
Happy holidays!
Love this .. thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Christian! I think you put into words how many of us nomads are feeling and/or are experiencing. I am housesitting in the San Bernardino Mountains and only a month has gone by and I am antsy to return to the road. I am visiting family in San Diego and living in my van. I love my home on wheels. Your spreadsheet idea is one I need to consider doing as I have lived in some 50+ places in my life. I sincerely hope you realize and accomplish whatever your quest ends up to be. We love you and wish you the best.
Christian, it was so good seeing you again on your latest KZhead video. Like connecting with an old friend. I really enjoy watching your videos and listening to your narration. You have such an adventurous life. I live vicariously through you.
Beautiful. That place is amazing; I can already see what you can turn it into, awesome
Thank you! It sounds great
I think I would have liked being around your Grandpa. What ever you choose will work because you are a go getter self-motivated let's do it kind of person. So I don't think it matters what you choose. Just do it! 😎👍 Like you seem to always do. Glad your time not sending us videos was time spent with family. Was wondering. Love the update! 🎉 By the time you get this it'll probably be happy new year!🎉 Happy holidays! 🙏🎃🦃🎆🪔🎄 Overseas might be nice, but America needs more people like you...
Thanks for the candor and vulnerability and authenticity. Truly inspiring.
Merry Christmas and I'm glad you're thinking deeply about all of this. And also that you're no longer near the flooding going on in SoCal.
I love your videos, ever since the first one I watched. You are brilliant at this.
Thank you for the honesty and yep I'll see ya soon---🙂
Merry Christmas Christian. As always loving the pastels you placed throughout this one. Be safe. We'll be watching for you in 2024.
Merry Christmas, Christian. Hope you will be spending it with someone special.
Beautiful soul. I just love it when one of you videos drop as I know it will be relaxing, extremely creative, thought provoking and stunning. There is something really special about your character and your work
Your experiences with your grandparents took me back to when I was young and asking to go spend 2 weeks during the summer with my father’s parents. They both passed many years ago, and I still miss them very much. Thanks for the content
Great chat. Thanks. Seriously.
08:30 You are very beautiful 🌟 Thanks for the sincerity and the storytelling .
Stability is nice for a while, but when you have a nomad's heart the truth is outdoors and wandering. I wish you the best in your journey to finding your way. In the meantime, enjoying Washington is always there for you.
Creative thoughts, good video! In time things will come together. Continue to enjoy the journey!😊
Beautiful holidays for you Christian! 🎄 Every time I watch your videos, I feel you so much, hard to find someone so special! ❤
🤍🤍🤍
Thank you Christian. Your videos are so thought provoking. Thank you for putting the effort into sharing your days and thoughts. Be safe!
So many strings pulling on your heart. I believe you will find what you want because you are open to the possibilities and see the positive in your travels and experiences. It's an inspiration!
I’ve watched your channel for a few years now and inspired by your photography and storytelling 😊. I’m sure you have been asked this or considered it already but- have you ever considered thousand trails membership? We are full time in an rv hopping state parks and it was hectic moving so often and once we joined it’s been the stability we’ve needed, and a home base to leave stuff behind to explore trails. Hot water, laundry, bath houses, most are away from cities. Even ways to build community since it’s almost all full timers. They have a bunch all around the perimeter of the USA. You can do the $600 per year membership to try it for a year. That’s the one where you can do 2 weeks in 2 weeks out. Finance for $50 per month and at least you could have a good place to stop between boon docking (weeks which got to us after a year almost only boon-docking). We joined the lifetime one for 11k I think and it’s 3 weeks park to park. We can move as much as we want to. Now we boon dock only when we feel like it. It’s easy to get last minute reservations except fl. It may not be as ascetic to stay in since lots of people stay there but they have one in Yosemite 5 min away from the entrance. That alone might be worth the try. It sure takes the logistics to an easier level. You could even get an rv / tow a 4x4. Just in case you didn’t know, there is a nice middle option between a house and feeling so unstable.
Great video! So beautiful with such a soothing voice. I could watch you for hours. Interesting decisions you have to make. I would have loved to see you fulfil your grandpa's dream, although it would have been a ton of work. Have a great holiday season. Love ya. 🥰
Another enjoyable episode Christian… The family homestead visits always tug at one’s heart, especially stories with your Grandpa. Sooo reminds me of visiting mine as well for the summer adventures in northern Cali (Trinity Mountains)… bummer it didn’t quite work out, but what a blessing to get back and enjoy spending time with family & friends. As for future land and your own homestead, keep the faith, you’ll find the right place in time… and until then, thank you for continuing to share the worldly adventures with us (‘stuck’ in our daily grind/ruts) via your digital canvas! From outside the Portland area out west, I join all of those wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy upcoming New Year! Looking forward the new reflections and adventures in 2024. Safe travels! P.s. Great pick for the winter season Fjallraven!
Christian, you are great at letting life lead you along your own personal life's adventure. Your smile testifies to the peace that you maintain within yourself ; even as you wrestle with the multitude of difficult decisions you have deal with on a daily basis. You are truly an inspiration. Keep on truckin'. 🌿
Amazing to share with us thankful your sharing with us your heart!
🤍
Always eye opening experience or beautiful scenery
Thank you for sharing your story ❤🙏
Thanks for listening 🥲
Related very much with your words and journey in this video. Still looking for a home as well. Thank you for sharing. Helps with feeling less alone.
Thank you for sharing. The cabins off-grid are very exciting, hopefully, something can work out with that.
Love these little updates. Especially the escape to Yosemite and Big Sur when you feel like you need "home" views again. :)
Love this one Christian! Sorry for your loss - I can sense the emotions. Take care and Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas!🎄✨
You're making all the right decisions, as tough as some may be..... I know the feeling of being in such beautiful places and wishing you had someone to share it with..... the soul searching continues.... it will happen for you !
Merry Christmas and a Happy New year, thank you for sharing your thoughts this year ..
happy holidays!
Merry Christmas, Christian! Here’s hoping the new year brings you peace and happiness. I can’t tell you how much admire you. 🎄
Thank you Steve! Happy Holidays! 🎄✨
Thanks once again for sharing your life with us. It makes so many personal thoughts run through my own mind about where life will take me. Can't wait to see what unfolds in your journey. Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.❤
Merry Christmas!
Ah man! I'm watching the footage of the Ozarks and all I'm thinking is 'next chapter, page 1' but it wasn't to be. Fair enough. It will always be there, which must be nice to know. Sometimes that next step isn't always the right step. It'll look right, feel right, sound right but might not be right. I never got it right straight away - took a bit more looking... and a fair bit of denial. Keep searching - the world needs searchers...
🥲🙏🏻
You’re a gem Christian! Thank you for what you do and remember…. Everything happens in its right time! Happy Holidays!
Thank you 🥲🙏🏻 happy holidays!
Merry Christmas- Hope you can again meet up with family for the holidays.
This is exactly why I started watching you regularly because I so relate to how much my mind spins and spins out possibilities and has a hard time landing on a plan that will meet my goals which at this time is also wanting that stability consistency routine and community. I had a figured out a screaming deal to fly non stop from LAX to Kauai for $250 and rent a subaru outback that I could sleep in the back of with a local car rental company for only $350 for the week. And I tried to get three different girlfriends to come with me and in the end I balied on the whole trip because I really didn't want to go alone this time. I lived alone on the Big Island for a year and I just can't bring myself to do it again. And I believe I hit upon an opportunity to have community and stability and income stability as well.