"The Human-Nature Hostel"






"Please, patience please. I'm creating a dream"




         I've recently purchased 42 acres in the South Western Maine mountains (Roxbury, ME) and it truly is a magical place. My vision is a very large geodesic dome in the center as the dinning and community space. (as a log cabin would have a great room) Made of timber, post and beams utilizing selected trees from the land. Half a dozen tipis, yurts and smaller domes will be where you lay your head at night. Essentially the idea is to build all structures circular in accord with the flow of everything in the universe. There will be solar showers, composting toilets and everything you NEED for a comfortable and unique stay. A community dinner each night will gather everyone together to share inspirations, gratitude's and a chance to get to know some of lifes stories. 

Idea for community center. Main Dome
"I live in nature where everything is connected, circular. The seasons are circular.  The planet is circular, and so is the planet around the sun. The course of water over the earth is circular coming down from the sky and circulating through the world to spread life and then evaporating up again. I live in a circular teepee and build my fire in a circle. The life cycles of plants and animals are circular. I live outside where I can see this.  The ancient people understood that  our world is a circle, but we modern people have lost site of that. I don't live inside buildings because buildings are dead places where nothing grows, where water doesn't flow, and where life stops. I don't want to live in a dead place. People say that I don't live in a real world, but it's modern Americans who live in a fake world, because they have stepped outside the natural circle of life."             -Eustace Conway


        
         I see this space being used for Veterans transitioning from their service to our country, learning skills and using nature as a medicine. Like my Mom always says "everyone could use a little Vitamin Nature" I want to share this discovery because it worked better then any hospital, therapy or pill for myself. It will be a beautiful setting where our youth can open their eyes to the natural world we live in and grow to inspire others along their path. It will be a home base for outdoor enthusiasts who might be hiking, biking, fishing, canoe & kayak, rock climbing, sightseeing, 4 wheeling, skiing, or snowmobiling in the area etc...  This space will also give everyone an opportunity to be the teacher and the student. Anyone with a skill set or class they would like to teach can use this space to gather and share. Sustainable living workshops, yoga, sweat lodges and wilderness survival skill shares are a few examples of the possibilities. 

The land and location itself can offer this:
- Sits at the end of a "dead end" road, very peaceful and quiet
- The property is nestled between the base of two mountains (Black Mt. & Whitecap Mt. 360 degree views)
 - Located between Grafton Notch State Park and Mt. Blue State Park
- Wildlife such as moose and deer are abundant in this area 
- Appalachian Trail is 10 miles away
- Babbling brook, 8ft wide flows through the entire property
- Direct access to the ITS 82 (interstate highway for snowmobiles and 4 wheelers)
- 7 waterfalls within 30min 
* Step falls, Angel falls, Ellis falls, Andover falls, Coos Canyon, Swift river falls & Silver ripple cascade
- Ellis Pond, Webb Lake, Richardson Lake and Mooselookmeguntic Lake are among the few bodies of  water in the area along with an unknown number of rivers and brooks. 
- 52 mile stretch of the Androscoggin river: Gorham, NH - Rumford, ME close enough for day trips or overnight.
- 30min South: Bethel, ME home of Sunday River ski resort offers year round activities, a brewery, indoor rock gym, mini golf, laser tag, water slides and a rock & gem shop (dig your own) 
- Local convenient store with everything you need just minutes away. For more there is a Wal-Mart and Hannaford located in Rumford with a few shops and restaurants (15min).
- 1hr 45min North of Portland, ME 

52 comments:

  1. UGH! I would so come live here... I can farm a bit and am good with animal husbandry. You build it, I will come. I want off the grid so badly!

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  2. Hey Ryan, When it's done, contact me... there is a pilates instructor here in SF who does nature retreats. I want to get the two of you connected.... have fun!!

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  3. Wonderful..You mentioned you got some land in Maine but...wow! 40 acres...! that sounds incredible..and the idea of all circular buildings would be awesome to put into action..That would seriously be one of the coolest hostels around..
    Can't wait to see some updates Yukon

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  4. God directed you on your path but you have moved beyond~

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  5. Hey Bud, if you need some air pics let me know

    Dylan

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  6. Nice meeting you today, Yukon. You have a great vision going on here, good luck! Have you ever heard of cob houses? One or two of those might be a nice addition to your satellite cabin idea.

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  7. I can't wait to see your dream come to fruition! How exciting! Doing what you love and loving what you do! ~Val~

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  8. Ryan, I just got through watching your episode of Naked & Afraid really like your mindset & super interesting ideas. I'm interested in helping you out with your website if you want a free hand just give me a shout anytime, samuel.barney@icloud.com

    Great job "THRIVE" man.

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  10. Great appearance on Naked & Afraid! I can apply my site design, SEO, and SEM digital marketing experience and you will #Thrive. crickgbcclist@gmail.com

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  11. After watching you on N&A, I had to write. Having a Dad who did service in Korea and Vietnam, my being a survivor of trauma myself...I am so touched by your bravery and determination. I want to work/live at the Human Nature Hostel. I would like to tell you more about my own journey. Please allow me to be a part - you would be helping me! bagley.karen@gmail.com

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  12. I love the mantras you've got going on! I wish I could do something to help make this dream come true for you. It is a beautiful idea. I'm sure the many who need a good ol' dose of vitamin nature would be forever grateful. I'm in Maine and would truly be honored to help in any way I can. At the very least, good vibes to you and your sanctuary.

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  14. Yokun,

    What an inspiring mission you have. I'm wishing you all the best in pursuit of your goals and have no doubt that you will help others through your patience and love of nature.

    Best of luck from the Mountain Cabin Life

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  15. Like the rest of the folks sending in comments recently, I saw you on N&A and was inspired by your vision for the Human Nature Hostel. Sounds like a great thing to do for very deserving veterans. Right now seems like a good time to establish something official, apply for 501(c)(3) status, and start raising some money to make this thing go. (If you've already done that...good luck! I'd love to help out.)

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  16. Just watched N&A too. Really connected with your thoughts. Was hoping you were up and running, as I was ready to book. Thanks for putting yourself out there and showing what good hard work and positive thoughts can do!

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  17. I've been researching detox/rehab/health retreats overseas for myself. Somewhere far from here but you helped me see it exists within. I hope to one day take part in Human Nature Hostel. Thx.

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  18. As someone that works with marines in transition and the widow of a marine that finally was overcome from over perscribed meds and personal demons....I want to encourage you to not give up on this dream. So many veterans need to reconnect to the world outside of their head. I know you will help many.

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  19. We saw you on N&A and had to Google the Human-Nature Hostel :) Great work on the show, with your own personal healing and following your dream - you are an inspiration!

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  20. Hey. I'm a mason. Willing to help construction. Let me know bro.

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  21. Ryan are you still active here ?

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  22. Hey dude, I am a vet of Iraq that heard getting out in nature helps. I actually saw you on N&A taking about this, so I googled it. Not sure what your status is with this but I am interested for similar reasons why you seem to be getting out in nature. What's your status, you up and running, welcoming visitors?

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  23. The granddaughter, daughter and wife of Veterans, please do reach out when you're ready to take this to social media for donations/funding. heatherjwfL76 at gmail

    All the best to you and thank you for raising awareness.

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  24. So this is the 3rd typing of this message bc I suck at computers...
    Ryan, congratulations on your continued triumph over your struggles. I am a veteran and emergency medicine doc with some wilderness/remote medicine experience I would absolutely love to share with other vets and willing adventure lovers. I am currently on my own healing journey this year, filled with lots of soul searching and adventure, but I hope I can volunteer my time with whatever it is you need to help get your dream up and running. We all bring something back from war, let us be the ones that bring back the good. Brennamae@gmail.com Thrive!!

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  25. I too am searching for my purpose in life. In today's world, degrees are required for me to do what is natural to me. I likely would have made a good nurse, counselor, and so on, but do not want the debt that would come with the degrees. Also, while I enjoy learning, I learn more by doing than by listening to someone talk at me in a room. I am searching for work that I love, but the work will need to pay a living wage while providing a work/life balance. So, please consider offering workshops that help to point those like myself in the right direction. Please consider including Tai Chi in your offerings. I believe there is a farm that helps Veterans transition in Asheville, NC, and Vets have reported that farming is very cathartic. So, please offer farming opportunities.

    Also, please consider opening your retreat to everyone, and not restricting it to only Veterans. Are there long term plans for an intentional community? Are interested persons allowed to buy into the community in order to have a long term home?

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  26. Long time hunter from the Midwest. Great chef in the south. Gimme a shout if interested.

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  27. As a door gunner for a year in VN, I have since traveled a path that would have been a whole lot shorter and less painful had I had some place such as you have.... a healing retreat.
    Thank You for helping veterans....some are so lost and looking for a way back.

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  28. I just saw your episode of Naked and Afraid. I love that you've found healing through nature! I just finished the JMT and have such a longing to get back out there. I'm also studying to be a therapist so I'm hoping to incorporate nature into my therapy work. It's so great to hear personal stories of how healing it can be. I always feel a sense of healing when I'm out there in God's great earth!

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  29. If you ever need any help building or anything else I would love to help I also believe I'm the power of nature and modern humans inability to see last the fake wild they've built for themselves I dream that onesay humans can return to a simpler life of living symbiotic with nature my name is clayton carlowe 21 years old ccarlowe@gmail.com

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  30. I watched all the N&A episodes (I think) so I was circling back to find ones that I might have missed - that's when I saw you again, (for the first time) ha ha - When I realized you are my favorite contestant. You are a great guy! Good Luck in your endeavors - stay cool, kind & level headed. S.G. in San Diego :)

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  31. Just watched N$A and saw you there in the everglades! I love your idea. I am not a veteran but truly do believe that this is the best way for PTSD victims to heal. I send blessings your way to get this up and going!!

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  32. Ryan, are you looking for help getting up and running?

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  33. Hey Ryan, just saw you're episode and would love to aid in your project however possible. I'm dedicated and hard working with a lot of creativity to offer. Let me know.

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  34. Hello Ryan, I just watched the Naked&Afraid episode that you were in and decided to Google Human Nature Hostel in Maine and got this website. I read through each and every post that has been addressed to you wanting to provide you support with this dream to bring it to fruition. I am dissappointed that you have not provided any response to any of the post. Without your interaction no matter how small these supporters will eventually lose interest and think that this is another lost hope. Please reply as you can to let people know your current status and the status of the Human Nature Hostel dream. Just a couple of words or a reply to one or two a day will be inspiring. Please let me know if this project was completed or if it is still a work in progress.

    Thanks Ed Minaya, US Marine 1st Civ Div (w13sniper@aol.com)

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    1. I agree with W12Sniper, in that while I have true admiration for your determination and dream for your land, it would be lovely to hear any sort of response/update from you. I, and so many others, would like nothing more than to help you in achieving your goal to help those with PTSD

      Be well!

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  35. Ryan, I too watched the N&A show and want to encourage you for what you think that you should do. I am a retired architect who just visited Frank Lloyd Wright's Talieson West's home/school/fellowship, near Scottsdale, AZ. As well as a leading architect for our country he always found his truth and direction in nature, even though he founded this community, at age 70, back in 1934. His work may be an interesting reference for you as create your own new and valuable expression. Please find the strength to continue this important work. Dan Swedberg, Bloomington, MN

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  36. Where you at bruh?

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  37. I just watched your Naked and Afraid episode. We have watched many episodes and commonly see declarations going in such as "I am going to kick nature's butt". Each them get their butt kicked. You are the only person on the show that didn't just survive. You truly survived "thrived". Very well done. Your truly were amazing. Congratulations and well done.

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  38. Hey Brother, AD Corpsman, 13 years. Been planning a through hike when I retire. Lots of things you said ring true for many vets and you have a wonderful vision. Let me know how I can help. Usn.hospital.corpsman@gmail.com. See you on the trail!!

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  39. I truly commend you for your bravery and human-nature-integration wisdom and positive take on life. I am looking forward to somehow supporting your veteran-healing ideas. Kudos from Brazil.

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  40. Dogs are allowed on the trail as long as they are on a leash. click here

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  41. The post is interesting! You can read http://bigessaywriter.com/blog/how-nature-can-help-you-to-beat-your-depression, and make sure that our Mother Nature can definitely help us beat our depression state!

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  42. Nothing has helped me and I'm tired of going to the VA. Do you really run a program for Vets?

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  43. You are my 2nd cousin your Mom and I are cousins, It seems like you have all good plans in life, even work you turn into a adventure. I also have 45 acres in Louisiana on a dead end road. I love it , I have 2 live oak trees 21 feet around at 4 feet. I call this Gods land , the Man who planted these trees I don't know his name and I am sure he called it his land. We are only stewards of the land. Good luck and God Bless. Your Mom can tell you my name, My brother came up that way last week.

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  44. great job, i fully support this

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  45. Hey fellow Marine here dealing with some similar issues. I thought about doing this myself and if you get it off the ground I would love to come and learn what you have to offer and maybe share a little bit of insight myself. Good luck on fulfilling your dream brother

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  46. Sign me up, sounds like it's just what the doctor didn't order. Are you taking any early orders!!

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  47. You're an inspiration and thank you for giving back to the Earth. It is how I cleanse myself mentally, physically, and spiritually.
    Head for the hills boys the people are a coming'. Better take the back roads and keep on a runnin'. There's gonna be hamburger joints in all of your cornfields. So take what ya want boys and head for the hills.
    Good Creek Symphony

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  48. How old is this website? It needs a reboot.

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