Abandoned Off Grid Cabin ...prepping for renovation

I'm preparing to renovate this abandoned cabin, but first the outside mess needs to be cleaned up so the job can move forward.

[@daveburklund2295]

"Clean up the site" when you're overwhelmed at the start of the project is such good advice that translates to every kind of project.

[@theatreed16]

Life even.

[@Melicoy]

I build my fire on the tree stump.

[@janetstonerook4552]

And clean up the site first is also a good safety maxim. Don't want to get a nasty injury or bone break!

[@zeos386sx]

So true, another way to look at it is start small and work your way up. Once you get a few things done the bigger jobs don't seem as daunting.

[@scottkehoe9514]

When I was growing up my father always watched Bob Vila This Old House now I'm sitting here watching you and you have become my Bob Vila

[@goingagainstthegrain]

Exactly.

[@Bushradical]

Thanks guys

[@mred8002]

I’m ancient, and recall the early days of Villa when he was trying to demonstrate cheap ways to get jobs done, before companies used him to advertise their products. Both approaches have value.

[@EOTG_AK]

Bob Villa meets Dick Proenneke

[@waynehendrix4806]

Bob was gay compared to this. 😉

[@benwilson6806]

That is some sage advice!!! A friend once told me. Don’t ever go and screw up a good hobby by turning it into a JOB!

[@ginnysulya9805]

Love this 😁

[@janinepettit2019]

My dad was the ultimate do yourselfer. He renovated all the houses we lived in for his family of nine. At the end of every work day he cleaned up the job site, swept up the saw dust, piled his tools in the corner, trashed the scrap wood and left it ready to go the next day. It keeps you from being overwhelmed.

[@brandyD33]

This is life-changing advice. We are living in our very first fixer-upper, our family of six and this house was formerly uninhabitable. It's taking a lot more time and imagination that we expected but that's the most important aspect to keeping momentum. Tidying up at the end of each day.

[@nancybrown2700]

At 76 now I too have learned the power of being a turtle and taking time to enjoy the peace I find on my woodland property. Sitting still and just listening to the creek and birds between doing some more hauling of firewood makes for a great day. As always I love your videos and narration. Great job Bushy!

[@OssoLily-ix5vz]

Dave has the voice of a story teller. I simply love both he and Brooke and watching them build or clear land, burn fires, camp, takes me to a good place in my elder years indoors now. Thanks Dave, can’t wait to see what you and Brooke do with this place. 🌷🌸🌷

[@scottsatterthwaite4073]

I'm a remodel/renovation contractor. First and last thing I do every week is make sure the site is cleaned up and organized. I makes all the difference in keeping focus on the project.

[@matthewcraig8926]

Couldn't agree more. I'm a contractor as well. Having a clean site from start to finish is a must.

[@jeff4son]

I’m a former contractor who works a desk job. Same applies to my desk. If I don’t know what to do, I clean my desk and everything becomes clearer. A cluttered desk (or job site) is a sign of a cluttered mind.

[@HandymanLand]

Yes, I couldn't agree more.👍

[@paulabraden974]

I guess the same can be said for inside a house (especially after a busy weekend). I good reset and clean does wonders for peace of mind for the weekdays. When Dave spoke about the half done projects, that summed up my partner. Tasks that turn into work, and work that's no longer enjoyable and become a burden. Especially when they are the bottleneck to other tasks to be done. Love ❤️ your videos. I'm glad you are making them again after your time away from posting content. I'd love to hear your short, medium and long-term goals. Where would like to be/doing, in say 10-20 years time?

[@YOOPERBubba]

Are you in Skanee mi

[@kevinharding2099]

There was a lot of old fashion wisdom in this video. Love it.

[@SHADOWFOX1464]

Man let me say this, from the moment I found this channel I was hooked. Nobody and I mean nobody makes me think and dream as much as Dave does. Hes like my favorite celebrity from KZbin. This guy is amazing his voice and personality makes you just feel like you are right there enjoying the journey. I don’t know how I found this channel but I thank God I did, cause he inspires me every video. I leap for joy every time he uploads a new video. You keep these coming and blessings to you for the experience of a thousand lifetimes

[@kenc1800]

Brooke and Dave were my first KZbin channels! Very rewarding and calming.

[@mimiso516]

I've said this before but I really like your background music. It is calming and just puts me in a good place. You are so talented.

[@ericwanderweg8525]

Sitting here on my couch watching the flames dance in my wood stove, dog sprawled out in front of it, and this video completes it all 😎

[@wyldstallyn2016]

"... and this is a good way to burn hair off your arm" LOL nice man. I've probably commented this on old videos before, but you give an average guy the confidence to attempt a simple cabin project and for that I thank you.

[@janinedevilliers510]

😂 😂 Brilliant Dave humour.

[@matijazg5455]

This the best self-help/life coaching interview I’ve seen in a long time. Without being a self-help/life coaching interview :)

[@kenc1800]

Wonderful guitar playing!

[@randomdan85]

There is something truly magical about living outdoors and being able to just soak up all of what nature has to give you.

[@angusjames5211]

Perfect way to close out a Saturday night!

[@CITYNEWSSUPPORT]

In High School I was hired by a general contractor building a 60 home sub division with a 100 condo complex! He hired us for the full framing project after school and on the weekends, with only one order CLEAN! We removed all scrap wood and sorted it by size for reuse or disposal. It was amazing how much the framers could get done in a day and how much waste they could produce! This contractor had been a Del Webb Executive and learned how to squeeze every cent out of a project. Hint 10th grader slaves are far cheaper than keeping carpenters around to clean a job site. This was 1992 and the pay was like $5 hr with the perk of using the "soon to be finished" Swimming Pool! The Pool was never built during our employment , LOL

[@SLICKTOP74]

Dave I completely forgot about this cabin. Excited to see the build

[@nickp7186]

Dave you have made me understand that I'm turning into an old guy and that's not a bad thing haha. I feel like I'm shooting the breeze with my buddy.

[@JohndaCantrell]

This video was so, so good. I've watched yours and Brooke's channels for a long time. I've followed the Yukon and the Alone adventures. The best part of watching the incredible life that you've lived is the authenticity of you both. You are the real deal. You've kept it real. You don't need all of the fancy unrealistic things so many KZbinrs are doing these days. You work hard, appreciate what you have. This gave me a lot of inspiration. I have a tendency to start too many things and get distracted to do the next thing, only getting frustrated by what's undone. Getting older has really brought clarity to this. Cannot wait to see how this sweet cabin progresses.

[@bobashmore6442]

Yet again thanks for taking us along for the ride. I am hopefully nearing the end of my health struggle. I will just come out and say it finally; cancer sucks. Your videos have helped me get through my second fight with it more than you probably realize. I can't do any of the things I love to do, so coming along with you on your journey has given me the ability to at least live them vicariously. Hopefully soon I will be able to sit around a fire and just relax again. In the meantime thanks for doing it for m.

[@RS-oy7uh]

Bob, we are all thinking of you. Keep fighting.

[@SJC49]

The best of luck to you. Enjoy your journey back to good health and most of all, enjoy that fire. 😍🇨🇦

[@Bobbieyounce]

Praying for God's covering, Healing, and strength!❤

[@arbdapeish]

I agree with your work philosophy and turning hobbies into drudgery. So at 68 I do what I can do on my list that makes sense for that day. Find some joy in it. A fire and thought has created the world we live in.

[@lauriedeveau2195]

This is what we have to do around our cabin , clear dead fall, winter branches, clear up around the build so we can continue with other projects, thanks for another great video

[@marinalauren4734]

You are a young Bob Ross for me. Thank you for your videos

[@Bushradical]

Thanks

[@kenc1800]

And music!

[@sallysmith4492]

Love this guy's common sense advice!!! As he started talking, my whole body started relaxing as I have also experienced listening to Brooke. The closer people get to nature, the better people they become. Their wisdom taught to them by nature's lessons is nothing short of a gold mine!!! Sad that city life drains the crap out of people,!!!

[@FoodandOtherPassions]

Amen and Amen!!! Gettin' ready to retire in about a year and want out of NYC.

[@michaeldurling793]

City life provides the crap ya gotta get out of there to let it drain.

[@leonardcrespin6476]

hey Dave, that would make a great song when you were saying a little bita work , a little bitta pole sawing, a little bitta blue sky and a little bitta snacks.

[@jeffplant3]

Watching you is like reading a good book. Can’t put it down. Same thing with your videos. Always another great story. Well done Dave and company. Look forward to the next chapter in this book

[@grayghost5143]

150% correct. Worked remodeling for years. At 3:30 everything stopped and we did site cleanup. Every single day. That habit actually carried over to everyday stuff as well. Having a clean area makes all the difference. As for that flat bar - go big or go home. Lol!

[@sesnc2145]

Concerning starting new projects before existing projects are finished, you are right on the money. We allow our cherished hobbies to become drudgery. I wrote the damned book. Never heard it put as well as you did. I enjoy your videos, thank you for the time you put in to bring us such content. The effort you put into camera angles, sound, and light, not to mention content, are second to none. Cheers.

[@arielcotter2656]

As a new house owner. I understand what you mean. The house i bought last summer was a rental house at the time. And boy they did not take care of the yard. A lot of over grown plants. Dead Trees, Leafs, Vines, and Garbage left behind. My parents have been helping me clean it up on good warm days. i am so close of it being done! Two piles of that crap left. Then i can get grass seeds and straw in the back yard. Then it will be a good get away for me. Plant some new trees and flowers. Enjoy my creek that i can see now. I can't wait to see the remodel you and Brook will do. I look forward to it.

[@user-xk1gt9cg8v]

“A claim on your future” never more true Dave! Another great video. Thanks

[@andreww1937]

Can’t tell ya how much I enjoy the videos about this property. Thanks for sharing with us Dave

[@jivadr7411]

Greetings from the island of Guam. I think its safe to say youve been missed by many if not all.

[@1989Falkor]

You and you lovely wife are one of the reasons we moved to Michigan and built a cabin in the woods. 14 acres with state property on two sides. Not totally roughing it as we have power and starlink internet. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@shawnr771]

Nice work. Thanks for taking us along. That deck thing could have been flipped over and used as a raised storage platform for incoming supplies. Sometimes keeping stuff off the ground is useful. There is a good chance that old kerosene might still burn. Might be safer than using the eyebrow remover. Have a great week.

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi, my wife use to say that she recons that I spent more time planing the jobs I had to do and the gear I need for each job, rather then getting on with it. I recon that if you prepare your tools, clear the ground where you will do your work is the most important thing I could do. I usually work on my own on the farm and my safety is the most important thing for me. If things go wrong, guess who has to fix it? Take your time mate, its your body. Cheers & Harera

[@scrappyquilter102]

Quilting is my hobby but I quilt to sell. If I didn't sell I would have to stop quilting. Your philosophy is the same as mine. Imagine that! Enjoyed this!

[@jimwoidyla5139]

I worked construction for 30 years, I always told my crews “when in doubt, clean out” meaning if you have nothing to do, clean up your space.

[@wendy833]

I love the sound of a snapping fire.

[@douglasmckee754]

Grandpa always said a clean jobsite made the job easier. We always had a fire so around lunch time he would throw some potato's in and a little bit of butter with sandwiches for lunch. Great video Dave

[@haroldmilroy4489]

I managed to do “just enough”. I think there’s a lot of wisdom in those words. Thanks Dave

[@olalindberg833]

Good point you made about work/leisure things. I know for myself, being self-employed, that it’s really easy to start thinking of how to turn everything you enjoy into a source of income. But then the fun sooner or later starts to disappear, and stress comes into its place instead. So great advice there.

[@happycamper5900]

Absolutely made my day when I saw this video. Don't wait so long between videos. Thanks!

[@JL-gt6bg]

Great advice! I think as a mid 40 year old man, I couldn't agree more! Keep em comin!

[@beckypennington79]

Thanks Dave for keeping it real ! You really seem like a nice guy, that's down to earth. And an intelligent young man , that while you seem simple and easy going were very driven . I'm glad you're young enough to still do things , but you're old enough with experience to slow down and enjoy the process . Thanks so much.

[@Bushradical]

I appreciate that

[@desmondcooper3590]

I've had alot on me since my mother's passing and leaving me a house. Thank you for the mental help.

[@DebraDockler-os2sb]

I j😢ust want to say you and your wife and children are amazing and it shows through the tough time and the good times 😊amen

[@karenbrest187]

Hello Dave 🤗 Good luck working on the house project & prayers for safety 🙏

[@johnnycashh7148]

I never thought you needed a collaboration...but @Dudedad would be hilarious!! Just need a "Couple More Days" construction for that DIY project. 😂

[@regalbowman3143]

This type of content never gets old.😊

[@vincentcotnoir1356]

One of my favorite part when I work on site, CLEAN IT UP ;) ;) ;)

[@paulcarolan9535]

You are a credit to yourself, respect to you mate.

[@derekbilston9290]

Excellent advice about simply cleaning the place up first of all.

[@derjman]

Honestly, your little monologue on not letting your hobbies become a drudgery is just what I needed. I will try to remember that point next time I manage to slice off some time for the workshop so I can resist trying to rush through the project at hand. That usually ends in a job poorly done, which easily becomes a source of frustration. Thanks for your thoughts on the matter!

[@CrayCrayRedneck]

Dave! Love your videos, and Ryan's. Dont wait so long to make the next one. Would love to see a trip back up to Alaska, so you can check up on your son and your cabin.

[@wendywutz3447]

Love watching yours and brooks videos cuz they just make me want to be outside at my cabin more than I already do!! The peacefulness of the wilderness never gets old! Can't wait to see what you guys do with this place 😊

[@MrOlimar]

Brilliant monologues in this one, Dave. The one about “too many irons in the fire” really resonates with me. Having so many projects that are half completed is such an easy trap to fall into.. but it feels amazing once you get out of it. I’m working through that myself with cars, carpentry, renovations, businesses etc…

[@KSMO1031]

Every spring I start my project list by going through my woods and cleaning up the downed trees. It's always nicer to go for walks when you're not tripping on branches and logs.

[@pascalchavanon1930]

What a nice property. I love your videos. Hit the spot every time.👍🤓🇫🇷

[@rustyroller]

Good advice, Dave. Take it slow, and make sure the hobby and passion of the project stay just that, and not drudgery. I'm gonna try to take that to heart. Thanks, man. :)

[@jstbtwnume9110]

I love how you and Brooke always clean up your sites. It’s common sense. Keep enjoying your projects.

[@EscapeTheMatrix......]

That advice about clear the area when overwhelmed applies to so many aspects of life! Applies to me right now! This was like divine timing/confirmation! Great video Dave, cheers from London 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@cynthiajohnson9412]

Relaxing, taking your time, thinking things through, going slow and remembering to enjoy life ALSO makes your videos incredibly enjoyable to watch. If we wanted to get stressed out and confused we could manage that on our own. Thanks for leading us on the path of zen. The moment I see you and hear that lovely background music I feel all the stress drain out of me, and I'm right there in the woods with you enjoying the fruits of your labor - that gorgeous camp fire. Thanks so much, Dave. Much love to both you and Brook.

[@denisewilson8367]

Clean up makes you plan & think. It gets you close to your project but not buried in it. Thats why its a good idea to start and end each day with a clean up hour.

[@WoodRanger138]

The Clean Up Tip applies to One's Life in general. Wise beyond Your Years Brother.

[@Bushradical]

Thanks.....but I'm 48....so I might be older than you thought

[@bustersmith5569]

When Brook shows up things will get done,,,,,, That Lady dont play .....LOL..👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@TheIronLiz]

I’m not sure if you’ll see this comment or fully believe me, but this is 100% true. I started watching your videos during the pandemic years when I was a fully remote worker. I’d rewatch your stuff over and over, and got so interested in carpentry, I bought a textbook to read casually. In 2023 after a series of layoffs, I decided to jump into the deep end, and took a job as a finish carpenter helper. It was difficult at first transitioning from full time office work, where you sit at a computer for 12 hours a day, to something more physical… but it was 100% the correct decision. Yesterday marked my six month anniversary doing this, and I’m moving up in skill and pay. I like the work about a billion times more than what I did before, and I’d have never considered carpentry as a career if it wasn’t for this channel! So thank you!!! I hope one day to have your level of skill, but with every house and every project, I get better and better! There’s a future for me in this trade, and I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to do it! God Bless you and yours!

[@jeannemarcinek4575]

After watching your video, I realize I am making my clean-up a major chore. I have become a snail (haha) so, I decided I will become a bit more of a turtle with training wheels. Taking small sections at a time, and eventually it will be cleaned up. I like when you all talk on how to do things, Brooke does it also. That is nice because we can get ideas from your video's. So, stay safe, warm/cool, and blessings.

[@willb4644]

You really do have a soothing voice and also a very relaxed way about you, it's like very little would ever bother you and I love that, man after my own heart

[@marcilovesbirds]

Wholesome family. Smart game plan on the property. Very wise, like the owls!

[@monkeysa43]

You said clean up the site, then think about what to do next that’s a really good idea . I didn’t know you had Aldi in the usa 🇺🇸 got one round the corner from where I live it’s cheap and cheerful, like you said that she wasn’t that brilliant that you ate it all the same ☺️ . Like you said, take things nice and slowly and see how things progress. Love your channel. DSM from the Uk 🇬🇧

[@76metiche]

i call it "organizing the chaos". just baby steps. organize into manageable piles. i live by that.

[@Sharon-Me]

You spoke lots of words of wisdom in this video so many in fact that I am going to watch it a second time! Take care Whipple family!!!

[@BillGilson-de7dh]

Great advice, don’t let your hobby’s/ love become a burden Love hunting, fishing, building Thinking about a KZbin channel Like your channel

[@Bushradical]

good luck building a channel. Let me know when you get something up

[@scottphillips7108]

God's being good to us this winter... The early spring will allow everyone to catch up on the things they couldn't get done last fall into winter...

[@michaelverstraet]

you re the best story teller of off grid life style. Please, write books.

[@cjperdock8333]

Glad to see you again bubba. I swear you are the Bob Vila of my generation. Thank you for all of your lessons on cabins. Sincerely Clint.

[@jessehayes486]

Well, I guess your back is feeling better, eh. Thanks for the video.

[@marlaf1545]

Can't wait to see how this project turns out, Dave 😊

[@joylynnburkhardt3202]

You have a great plan of action!! Take it slow, think it through and make it fun! Eagerly awaiting next update on abandoned property!

[@MickDickerson]

You and Brooke always manage to snap me out of my funks when I need it most, thanks for that. I’ve been doing my off grid, alone, for 5yrs now. I THINK Mr. Right is out there but I’d hoped he’d have arrived before now, lol. Alas, here I are, overwhelmed. Two years ago we had a pine beetle problem now I have trees everywhere and couldn’t do much of anything the last little bit thanks to a broken sternum thanks to a chunk of ice and an ill fated snow scoop. Now, I’m feeling way behind in where I needed, WANTED, to be. Thankfully I can start my chainsaw now, last year just focused on my firewood but this year I have a bunch of trees I want to drop and clean up. All the criss cross fallen X shapes in the trees here, pretty sure I’ve invaded Bigfoot’s territory, lol. I just left a comment on Brooke’s about one of my favourite camping trips too many moons ago. Since I made the off grid switch, I don’t have time for fun anymore it seems. Because any nice days that are available, I’m bettering myself and my own habitat. When you live in Eastern Canada, you only have half the year to do these projects in, as you guys also know in Michigan and Alaska. And yup, future projects abandoned and woodpiles for future projects lay in waiting. I’m sure it looks like a crackhead lives here but that’s ok, helps keep the vermin down because they don’t think I have anything to steal, haha. Thanks for the inspiration, time to get ‘er done!!

[@Q-BinTom]

Always puts a smile on my face…….

[@38below39]

Spring is on its way. great time of the year in my books ( No Bugs )

[@Kbrusky15]

Yes! I'm so excited you're back on this project! 😁

[@faithlaw8516]

I sure appreciate your advice don’t allow your projects to get to the point where they overwhelm you!! Sound advice here!! Thanks Dave!!

[@Lugnut64052]

Absolutely true about getting overwhelmed with a big renovation project. I've been there myself. You eventually get so locked up you can't think what to do next. "Clean up the site" is some golden advice.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

Nice! You'll be whippin' that property into shape in no time bud, looking forward to seeing the project unfold. I was looking at a property in Price county, but it needed way more work than a VA Home Loan would approve to buy lol.

[@davidsneddon2242]

Dave your voice is so calming I could listen to you all day but stuff always needs doing so I'm working at keeping my hobbies; I'm retired; fun as you suggest. Keep radical. From sunny Scotland.

[@wilsondavenport6939]

This is my favorite series of yours right now! I love it!

[@angelapinnock3793]

Thanks Dave. I always love watching your vids and hearing your words of advice, knowledge, incite and experiences. I look forward very much to your future transformation videos😍

[@kerrywootton2435]

I always enjoy watching your work. I can and do watch it for hours.

[@MrTonyPiscatelle]

Good advice for the younger folks. I would bet most people over 45 or so have learned this stuff the hard way. But one never knows do they ?

[@treyezell36]

More more more please 😂 looking forward for the next episode take care Dave 👍🏻

[@lynnoaks7884]

Dave your words were just so profound on this video, especially about having so many planned/started projects you just can't enjoy them anymore. So clean up. Did that today on a small project that I kept looking at and sighing, and ignoring...😊 Great video. Thank you. Hi to the lovely Brooke.❤

[@monicareid8858]

Nice video. That overwhelming feeling when there’s too much to do creeps up on you this time of year when you can see the landscape so clearly and it’s looks it’s brownest. Teaching how to approach the site and tackle it is helpful. I’m year two on my cabin build (year three of you include the foundation). There’s so much to do, but considering I have a well made gravel road leading to a two-story 16 x 16 structure now under a roof-and this time last year there was nothing but concrete plugs in the ground and a dirt hill, I’m looking forwards to how much this build will progress by this time next year. I really enjoy the videos you & Brooke put out. Best.

[@Bushradical]

thanks

[@davepelfrey3958]

Really good relaxing video. Love hearing a fire burn, pops and cracks of a fire.

[@NCislander]

Nicely put into perspective. I got a sense of calm from this video. The projects, and enjoyment of things turning into chores. Nit being a enjoyable as they once were, or seemed to be. This really helped me keep my projects enjoyable. -Thank you.

[@Bushradical]

Awesome, thank you!

[@pamelahuneycutt1255]

As soon as you said that tank I thought of a barbecue pit I think that place will be awesome cleaned up I love your channel and I love your wife's channel I think she's so cool

[@Bushradical]

thanks

[@tonyrasmussen2265]

Also neat to listen to the quietness and nature. My kind of life.

[@sandrahattoy3263]

Looking forward to this renovation! You are amazing to watch! 💕🇺🇸💕

[@vincetytler6175]

I couldn’t agree more about your comment on keeping your site clean