Outdoor Bathing Area. First off, this is for Shaye at the Elliott Homestead.
We were chatting about a picture I posted on Facebook, this lovely one you see below. She said, “I want to know more about this area!!! I love the idea”.… Girl, this is for you and all the other people who crave a beautiful spot they can run away to.
Living without power for over five years has its ups and downs.
However, I liked the whole experience and can see how it really changed our family and taught us some serious life lessons. One of those is creativity, like thinking outside the box. I have mentioned this before, but I can’t stress it enough. I think homesteading, simplifying, and living with less can do this too! The first six months on our property we camped, and it was so hot, like “I’m going to die it’s so HOT”. We had our well up and running after three months, and promptly built two things to remedy the heat.
One was an Outdoor Bathing Area, which we used for bathing, but mostly to cool off. Next project was the water-misting gazebo. Daniel added these cool misters to our gazebo area (that we made out of living trees and wove it into a gazebo). We were on a mission to stay cool, and we did.
How I keep the water clean in my Outdoor Bathing Area:
Fast-forward five years, we just moved to our little town homestead. No air conditioning, it’s super hot, and I wanted my Outdoor Bathing Area again. I need a place to chill after a long day with a cranky newborn (I’m in love with the little guy, but the poor thing had colic for the first three months) and way too hot of temperatures.
Thus began another project: Operation Cool Down in three steps!
- You will need some kind of really cool privacy fence; this can be wattle, string, sheets, or an old quilt. You get the picture. If you’re brave, you could plant it out in the woods or behind a barn.
- Next, you need a feeding trough of some kind, pond liner, claw foot tub, or anything that holds water.
- Now decorate this area. Make it your own, a place to hang towels, clean your feet off, fresh flowers, a chair or two. That’s it, super simple and anyone can do it!
It works wonders after working in a hot garden. Mosey over to your bathing area and take a nice dip. I’m serious, it cools down your core and helps keep you fresh for the rest of the day.
Check out our Pinterest: I just made a new board for Outdoor Bathing!
– Abby Jo
I love..love this. You amaze and inspire me every time I visit your blog. I wish to live this way one day. We have land in Susanville CA and plan on living like this. My mother-in law and father-in law lived without any electricity for awhile. I think it is so important to learn to live and not depend on electricity. Your cooling area is so beautiful. Well done. 🙂
Aww, thank you! I’m glad you can come visit and get inspired! That’s why I love the bloggy world we all can inspire each other.
I have made outdoor showers.Right now I haven’t had a bath in 5 years(yes but I have had showers!) and I want a trough to bath in.We have a place to get them here but money is tight right now.Love your ideas.
I got my trough at a yard sale, keep your eyes on the look-out and maybe you will score on one for a better price 🙂 And Thank you!