Off-grid living, high-desert gardening, Southwest food, rural Arizona life, history and a little humor — all from our corner of the high desert.
How Much Water Do You Need for Off-Grid Living?
Gallons per person per day, storage and hauling, rainwater catchment math, and how to stretch every drop.
Read it → GARDENINGHigh Desert Gardening: Best Crops & Tips for a Short Season
Beating the short season and late frosts, the best crops to grow, and season-extending tricks.
Read it → SOLAROff-Grid Solar Basics: What You Actually Need
The four parts of a solar system, how to size it, what it costs to start, and desert gotchas to avoid.
Read it → WINTER PREPSurviving Winter in the High Desert
Yes, it snows here. Heating, keeping pipes and tanks from freezing, vehicles, power and supplies.
Read it → GUIDEOff-Grid Living in Northern Arizona
Water, solar, winter heat, gardening, waste, roads and wildlife — the full high-desert rundown.
Read it →Moving to Rural Arizona: What to Know Before You Go
Honest pros and cons on water, internet, weather, distance to town, jobs and community.
Read it → WEATHERArizona Monsoon Season Explained: Dates, Dangers & Safety
When it runs, what causes it, the hazards — flooding, dust storms, lightning — and how to stay safe.
Read it → FORAGINGPrickly Pear: How to Harvest, Clean & Use It
Harvest the pads and fruit safely, get rid of the spines, and turn them into juice, syrup and jelly.
Read it → HISTORYThe History of Concho/St.Johns, Arizona
From the Mogollon and Apache to the Hispanic and Mormon settlers who built one of the White Mountains' oldest towns.
Read it →What Is a Sonoran Hot Dog?
Arizona's famous bacon-wrapped, bean-topped street food — its story and how to make one at home.
Read it → RECIPESConcho/St.Johns Dash Recipes
Green chile stew, posole, Navajo tacos, Sonoran dogs and prickly pear lemonade — real high-desert cooking.
See the recipes →Concho/St.Johns Dash Stories
Odd, funny and real stories about small-town Arizona life — including the famous Thomas Crapper.
Read the stories →Free Off-Grid Calculators
Water needs, solar sizing, rainwater catchment and firewood cords — quick estimates, no sign-up.
Open the tools → FAQConcho/St.Johns & High-Desert FAQ
Quick answers about Concho/St.Johns, Arizona and off-grid high-desert living.
Read the answers → FREE PRINTABLESFree Printable Checklists & Calendar
Planting calendar, off-grid moving checklist, winter-prep and monsoon kit lists — free PDFs.
Get the printables →