Formerly just small-town urban homesteaders, Timmy and Amber Bradshaw of Pawleys Island, South Carolina moved with their three children less than a year ago to the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.

Just three months on their new land, they received an opportunity to film the construction of their new homestead for Building Off The Grid.

My Homestead Life

Former tugboat captain and general contractor for twenty years, Tim was born and raised by the beach in South Carolina. With saltwater in his blood and a surfboard under his arm, he never envisioned he would ever move.

Amber ran a non-profit online farmers market and was involved with the herb society, as well as a 4-H leader.

Their two oldest children, Gavin and Morgan, were both employed with Lowes grocery store. While the littlest member, Linden, attended a local Christian Academy.

Then They Got A Calling

Amber states ‘out of the clear blue, Timmy told me he felt led by the Lord to move to the mountains’. It didn’t take much convincing because she dreamt of a larger homestead and farm where she could raise her chickens, goats, bees, and gardens.

After a year of working towards their goal, the Bradshaw’s were ready to put their house on the market. In an unprecedented turn of events, their house sold for full price within twenty-four hours of being on the market, placing the Bradshaw’s in a peculiar situation. 

They didn’t know where they wanted to move to, all they knew was it had to be in the mountains.

Finding Heaven On Earth

Not being bound by jobs or family, the world was literally their oyster. However, the one thing they did require was to be within driving distance from the South Carolina Beaches.

The Bradshaw’s landed at a hotel close to Pigeon Forge while they searched for land to start their homesteading dream.

Three weeks after searching, they found the perfect place for building off the grid. Forty-Six + acres in the mountains with panoramic views of the Smoky Mountain National Park, and not a neighbor in sight. Spring-fed creeks, fruit, and nut trees, in addition to abundant wildlife, the Bradshaw’s found their heaven on earth.

Turning Back The Clock

Not only did the Bradshaw’s want to expand their homestead, but they also wanted to take it back to an earlier time period. They wanted to build off-the-grid and practice forgotten ways of old.

From washing clothes by hand to cooking on an old wood stove, and growing their own food, the Bradshaw’s found their simple life.

Additionally, they raise milking goats, chickens, guineas, turkeys, and pigs for sale and food.

When Opportunity Knocks

Only three months after being on their new land, the Bradshaw’s were contacted by a Tv production company who was looking for families to film that were planning to build off the grid.

Timing was everything. Luck would have it, they just got their building permit and had plans to break ground within the week. However, this amazing opportunity came with an insane deadline of just three months.

Building Off The Grid

Not only were they building their dream home at the top of the mountain, but they had to do everything by hand, including hauling in the supplies.

They milled lumber from their land and used recycled building materials. Their build site was almost impossible to reach. Not to mention, they’d had record-breaking rainfall throughout their entire build.

The Bradshaw’s accomplished the impossible, in just three short months their dream home was complete.

Watch Their Journey On The Discovery Channel and The DIY Network/HGTV

From cutting their first tree to move-in day, you’ll have the chance to watch the Bradshaw’s accomplish what no man said could be done.

Airing on two networks,  Building Off The Grid: The Smoky Mountain Homestead can be seen on on The Discovery Channel and with the DIY Network/HGTV. Check your local listings for time.

What The Future Holds

The Bradshaw’s dream of building rental cabins on their land where guests can come and stay. Guests can learn about homesteading, farming and living off the grid. They hope to open it to mission groups as well as church retreats.

Where Are They Now? 

After almost two years after filming their off-grid build and living in their off grid home, the Bradshaws filmed an update.

Find out how life off grid and in the mountains have been for their family on the DIY Network. The episode is Building Off The Grid- Where Are they now? 

They write about their journey on Amber’s website www.myhomesteadlife.com

You can read more about the Bradshaw’s on their About page here.

 

 

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