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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 a vehicle. It’s the physical marker between imagining a different life and actively stepping into it.

There’s still a lot of work ahead—but today we’re pausing to acknowledge how big this is.

More to come soon—because now… we build.

— Brady & Family

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 high desert. What started as a dream of freedom has become a journey filled with unexpected challenges, stunning landscapes, and the constant reminder that growth happens far outside our comfort zone.

Through this project, we’re documenting our transition from “ordinary” midwestern life to an off-grid, desert-adapted lifestyle. Along the way, we’ll share:

• The real ups and downs of relocating a family of five.

• What it takes to live, build, and thrive in the high desert.

• Lessons in minimalism, land stewardship, and resilience.

• Stories from the road, the land, and the people we meet.

• Behind-the-scenes looks at our projects, experiments, and misadventures.

Whether you’re here for inspiration, entertainment, or guidance for your own big leap, we’re grateful you’re joining us. This journey is bigger than a move—it’s a rediscovery of what it means to live with intention, chase possibility, and embrace a new chapter together.

Thanks for being part of Winter’s in the High Desert.
We can’t wait to share what’s next.

With gratitude,
The Winter Family
Winter’s in the High Desert

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 meant:

• Fixing the exhaust

• Oil change and full point inspection from its original dealership

• Getting the registration fully up to date (….oops)

• Giving it a full detail so it’s clean, reliable, and ready for its next chapter

The goal is to trade titles and drive the bus home this weekend if everything lines up as planned.

This move isn’t just about a vehicle—it’s about creating the space where we’ll build, learn, and share this next season of life with all of you. As always, we’re moving carefully, intentionally, and with gratitude for the support that makes steps like this possible.

We’ll keep you posted with updates as the weekend unfolds. Thank you for being part of this with us—it truly means more than we can express.

— Brady & Family