# Winter's in the High Desert

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## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Settling Into the Silence](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/settling-into-the-silence/): We live here now.By “here,” I mean: outdoor toilet, bucket showers, and a solid hour of off-roading just to reach pavement — then another 20–90 minutes to groceries. Luxury. 😅The high desert nights are cold. The days can be hot and a bit dusty. The wind has strong opinions about our tents.All five of us
- [Well friends — we officially have the bus... again...](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/well-friends-we-officially-have-the-bus-again/): We picked it up from our very generous friends, and started with what I can only describe as the kind of sentence you want to hear before a 1,600+ mile journey:> “It’s a good, solid engine. Keep up on oil changes and you’ve got another half million miles in it.”So technically, we’re just getting started.
- [Stacking the Essentials](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/stacking-the-essentials/): There’s something surreal about watching the pieces of your new life arrive in cardboard boxes.We’ve officially entered the “order it now while we still have an address” phase. It feels strategic… and slightly chaotic. But mostly strategic. 😊Our Starlink showed up first — still sitting in its box like a promise of wide open skies
- [Update: Oh—they noticed the bus. Just… not in a good way.](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/update-oh-they-noticed-the-bus-just-not-in-a-good-way/): So yes. My neighbors absolutely noticed the bus. And instead of curiosity or neutrality, it turned into multiple police calls. The irony? Every officer who showed up confirmed the same thing: it was completely legal to park there. No issue. Just very pissy neighbors.Then winter diesel reality hit.Diesel gels and sludges in extreme cold, and
- [The last couple of weeks have been a lot.](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/the-last-couple-of-weeks-have-been-a-lot/): In a way that feels both heavy and deeply affirming.First, a small miracle worth celebrating: a friend’s 14-year-old son was able to diagnose and fix our KIA Sorento when multiple shops wouldn’t even consider touching it because… KIA. Watching curiosity, confidence, and problem-solving win where systems and policies wouldn’t was humbling and honestly hopeful. Sometimes
- [Welcome to our Journey!](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/welcome-to-our-journey/): Welcome to Winter’s in the High Desert! We’re the Winter family—five Iowans who traded cornfields, humidity, and familiar routines for the wide-open skies and rugged beauty of northern Arizona.After years of feeling the pull toward something different—simpler, slower, more intentional—we finally decided to downsize our life in central Iowa and make the leap to the
- [Big Weekend Ahead 🚍](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/big-weekend-ahead-🚍/): This weekend could be a big step forward in our journey.We’re planning to trade our Chevy Equinox for a 40’ school bus, which would become the foundation for our future home and off-grid build. Over the past week, I’ve been working hard to make this possible by getting the Equinox fully ready for the trade.That
- [Do you think my neighbors will notice I got a bus? 😅🚌](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/do-you-think-my-neighbors-will-notice-i-got-a-bus-😅🚌/): Because there is now a 40’ school bus parked on the street across from our house… and it’s ours.This moment feels surreal. For a long time, this was just a dream. Then it became conversations. Then plans. Then checklists and logistics. And now—very suddenly—it’s real. Tangible. Parked outside. Impossible to ignore.This bus represents more than
- [Our Family's Journey: Downsizing to the High Desert of Arizona](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/our-familys-journey-downsizing-to-the-high-desert-of-arizona/): Introducing Our FamilyWelcome to our blog, where we will document our exciting journey as a family of five making a significant lifestyle change. Together with our two dogs, two cats, and six chickens, we are downsizing our lives to embrace the beauty of the high desert in Arizona. Why We Chose the High DesertThe decision
- [Our Journey to the High Desert: Downsizing and Embracing Change](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/our-journey-to-the-high-desert-downsizing-and-embracing-change/): Introduction to Our New AdventureAs a family of five, we have made the significant decision to downsize our lives and embrace a new chapter in the high desert of Arizona. This transition involves not just packing our belongings, but also preparing our two dogs, two cats, and six chickens for this exciting journey. We aim

## Pages

- [Begin](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/): Winter’s in the High Desert follows our family of five as we downsize our life in central Iowa and rebuild our world in the rugged, beautiful high desert of northern Arizona. This channel documents the real journey—the challenges, the breakthroughs, the mistakes, the learning curves, and the surprising beauty that comes from starting over with intention.
- [Home](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/home/): High Desert Life Join our family’s adventure as we downsize and settle into Arizona’s high desert. Read More Our Journey Join our family of five as we downsize and embrace life in Arizona’s high desert. Our New Life Join Us Follow our family's adventure as we embrace life in Arizona's high desert.
- [Journey](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/journey/): Our New Chapter Our Life Snapshots from our family's adventure moving to Arizona's high desert. Our Home High desert life awaits The Move 697 Hilltop Street, Springfield, MA, USA Next Steps 9am - 6pm
- [Blog](https://wintersinthehighdesert.com/blog/): Our Journey Our Life Snapshots of our family, pets, and the high desert moments we cherish.

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