In Small Scale Life Podcast Episode 214, I talk with my friend Adam about his family’s journey to starting High Desert Hives and Homestead in Colorado. How does a successful guy decide to walk away from the hustle and bustle of city life and a fast paced corporate job and move to the country to start a garden, grow a thriving beekeeping business and raise boys in a world of freedom and wonder?
This is Adam and Kathleen Rapier’s story about making the decision to leave the chaos and embrace the quiet country life. They decided to provide their boys with a different way, a different path, to grow up. At the same time, they wanted to be closer to aging parents and discover the freedom of living in the country and doing things their way.
In 2021, Adam and his wonderful bride Kathleen made some big choices and changes. They turned their back on the hustle and bustle of the Front Range (Denver for all us flatlanders) and corporate jobs. They took their time by living with Adam’s parents, and they finally found their 3 acre homestead in rural Colorado.
I met Adam at Doneil Freeman’s homestead way back in 2018. I didn’t know Adam from…well, Adam, but we connected and stayed up almost all night with The Bee Whisperer Michael Jordan talking about bees, homesteading, politics, literature, religion and life. It is amazing what a little mead, some moonshine and the stars can forge, isn’t it?
My Thoughts: High Desert Hives and Homestead
As I edit this audio, I feel that excitement and promise of the Homesteading life. Homesteading is optimism: optimism for the future, for your family and for your tribe. Homesteading can be hard, but when you have good people around you and find that place that speaks to you, the universe begins to move in your favor. Not everything is unicorn farts and rainbows, but with some good bones, hard work and love from friends and neighbors, you can build an amazing place that will stand the test of time and provide a platform, a solid foundation, for your family and friends.
I am excited that Adam is on the Small Scale Life Podcast. This is Part 1 of a 2 part series talking about his journey to find his homestead and building a thriving beekeeping and homesteading business. There is good energy here, and remember, dear friends, the path to building this kind of life is tomatoes and zucchini!
Topics Discussed – Starting High Desert Hives and Homestead
Adam and I discussed the following topics during the interview:
- Introductions – Who are Rapiers?
- Moving to the Country; Escape from the Front Range Urban Zone
- The Homestead Roadtrip (MO, TN)
- Family First: Helping Aging Parents
- How did Adam get into Homesteading?
- Gardening is the Gateway: Tomatoes and Zucchini
- Progression from Tomatoes to Bees
- Adam’s Big Why for Homesteading in the Country
- The Search: Finding High Desert Hives and Homestead
- Old Farmhouses and Manufactered Homes
- Getting Down to Business: Homesteading Projects
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Special Thanks
For Small Scale Life Podcasts, I would like to thank Sean at Osi and the Jupiter for the intro song "Harvest." Sean wrote this specifically for us, and I really enjoy all of his work. You can find more Osi and the Jupiter at their Bandcamp site: https://osifolk.bandcamp.com/
I would also like to thank Austin Quinn at Vlog Vibes for the intro and outro music. For more information abut Austin and Vlog Vibes, please see the Vlog Vibes YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY80LeqtJf-YBzJy2TWKpDw
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