Off Grid and Free: My Path to the Wilderness

by Ron Melchiore

Off Grid and My Path to the Wilderness is the story of the journey Ron Melchiore undertook as a young man from the city, first to homesteading in northern Maine and then to living in the bush of northern Saskatchewan. He has lived off grid since approximately 1980 and speaks candidly about the joys and the tribulations of his chosen lifestyle. In this nonfiction, Ron shares the diversity of his experiences in an easy-to-read, humorous, and sometimes harrowing narrative.

The book includes his hiking of the 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail in winter, bicycling across the United States, homesteading off grid, and the terror of being surrounded by a wildfire and surprise encounters with bears, and more. For readers with an outdoors spirit, people with an off grid and self-sufficiency bent, and dreamers who like to read about adventure, Ron hopes to inspire others to "take the road less traveled."

Ron has been published in Back Home Magazine, Small Farmers Journal, and Countryside Magazine. Ron's site is inthewilderness.net

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Nature, Adventure, Audiobook

352 pages, Paperback

Published September 9, 2022

Reviews

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a lot of questions about what kind of person Johanna Melchiore is, because her presence in this book amounts to little more than helpmeet. Presumably she's just as enthusiastic about the isolated self sufficient lifestyle as her husband, and this book is in no way presented as a personal biography, BUT, there are a lot instances of tone and asides that are supposed to be amusing that kind of make me want to write Johanna a letter to make sure she's still into it up there. All that aside this is an interesting and informative discussion of two bonkers people living ten thousand miles north of everything on their own in Saskatchewan. Refreshingly matter of fact--you kind of expect that a book by a guy who is so extreme off-grid etc would be super snobby about lazy modern conveniences, etc, but no. Writing is interesting and thorough and easy to read, if not inspired. I would have liked more discussion about the process of selling the remote Maine homestead and buying the more remote Canadian plot, and about the seasonal jobs they do. Isn't half the interesting thing about a book like this hearing details about how people afford to do it? Did you really make enough from logging in Maine to be able to just buy all the equipment you have up there? Also, emigrating: if you present a convincing enough argument you'll be fully self sufficient, does Canada just let you in? I read about this in the back of Mother Earth News magazine and it sounded so bonkers I had to track it down. My copy's on ILL from the Air Force Academy library, so go figure.

[Donna Mulvenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy fast-paced, well-written, and easy-to-connect with books and Off the Grid delivered. Swept away in amusing anecdotes, vivid descriptions, and Ron’s philosophy on life I flicked through page after page not wanting the story to end. From fending off bears, fighting forest fires, and hiking the Appalachian Trail this book belongs on the shelf beside Treasure Island and Swiss Family Robinson. However, if you are looking to simplify your life, Ron’s entertaining recollections of shopping only twice a year, and his daily efforts and resourcefulness is inspirational. With practical information like keeping maintenance logs for his machinery to the cost effective planning of a homestead, from someone who has lived as close to wild nature as you can get, this book will also appeal to want-to-be preppers and homesteading types. It truly is a book for everyone. What remarkable human beings. Bravo to Ron and Joanna.

[Joel Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ron gets it!
As a half a century long off grid person I can say Ron and his wife understand how to be successful.
This is not a step by step how too book, but a book on the general mindset it takes to make it long term.
These are the key points you will find in this book if your dream is to build a long term homestead.
-Have to love outdoor work.
-Do not use drugs.
-Have a spouse that is your partner and friend.
-Do not shun technology to make your life easier.
-Do not go into it believing you can live like a 17th century peasant.
-Enjoy learning about every subject that pertains too your survival.
-Avoid debt and pay it off early if you do.
-Try and start with a nest egg.
-You will always need some income.
And number one you have to love freedom more than relying on others to provide your security.
In the 1970's millions of young people tried going off grid but only a fraction lasted more than a decade. I highly recommend this book if your goal is long term off gridding.

[Carolyn McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was the memoirs of a man and his wife that live in Northern Saskatchewan, off-grid and very alone. You may think it sounds dry and boring, but I thought it was very open and readable, not dry at all. In fact, I thought it was quite gripping, but then again, I find an off-grid lifestyle rather interesting.
If that sort of lifestyle attracts you, even just reading about it but not wanting to do it yourself, grab a copy of this book. It's almost as good as going off-grid yourself, without leaving your comfortable life.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. The chronicles of Ron and Johanna were intriguing. This book will ALWAYS be within reach and help keep me in check. It's so easy as to be a city dwelling, money chasing, rat race living individual. The road less traveled seems so far off. The stories encapsulated in this book will hopefully inspire us all to do something different. Ron details his Appalachian Trail hike, bicycle ride from Washington to Maine, logging adventures, and tremendous move to Hockley Lake.

[Darrell Langille · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book that you have a hard time putting down.

There was nothing in this book that one could dislike. The trials and tribulations of these two special people and how they existed and lived in isolation for months at a time is commendable. The way they lived and fed off each other along with excellent detail, along with some humour thrown in makes this a must read book. Looking forward to reading the book they are presently working.

[Gli · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite off-grid book so far! I learned a lot of good information from the book. What I love the most about this book, comparing with other off-grid books I've read, is that it's way less dramatic, without all the victimhood, oppression, social issues, etc. It's just a practical book, a peek into one's life to off-grid living. I enjoyed it so much that I'd say I'll read it again sometime in the future.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading true stories about survival and/or homesteading. Ron and his wife are amazing -- all of the things that they accomplish in the wild location. And Ron's appetite for adventure is something else. He has accomplished not only building up two homesteads, but also tackling and completing the Appalachian trail and a bike ride across the U.S. After reading the book. I decided to see if I could find any pics etc online and was happy to find some you tube videos of their homesteads and trips.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find the thought of satellite TV and internet hardly off grid based on my understanding of off-grid... as well as the flying in of meat and groceries but that's just my opinion. It was still an interesting read into their way of life.

[Ken Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

Excellent book, very enjoyable, can set recommend for anyone interested in going off grid. Very envious of his lifestyle! Thanks Ron!

[WILLIAM SMTH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be very impressed with this book, I recommend it.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Anyone who wishes to live alone in the wilderness should read this. What fearless pioneers to brave a basic life without the safety net of civilization.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

This was a great book. Definitely paints a detailed picture of what it really means to live off the grid and in the bush!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally!
This book is less of a "how-to" and more of a "How we did it." Melchiore is a knowledgeable and likeable guy. Very informative and enjoyable.

[Rachel Easom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight of building a life off grid

Brilliant read, giving insights of life and adventure, of living off grid and making the most of life. Highly recommend 5*