When we started living this lifestyle in 2009, we had intimations that others had done it before us. In our typically disjointed American style, we did it on our own, as rugged individualists, and paid the price, and reaped the benefits. It is heartwarming and a bit sad to read of those who came before us. I feel a deep connection to all of them, and to those who will come after us, dissatisfied with what mainstream society calls “living” (I call it a slow death). None of these structures were a failure. They housed people for as long as they needed to, and many are now going back to the earth. What more could you possibly ask for?