Life off the grid

Murray and Becky Monk yearned for the best of both worlds: life in the breathtaking wilds of northwestern Ontario and the conveniences of modern life.

They turned their wish into reality by moving to the solitude of aremote lake and setting up their own eco-friendly power system.

With solar-sourced electricity and wind poweringtheir home in the wilderness, theyhave full internet and telephone access through a satellite dish and they never even have to miss a favourite TV show. But living "off the grid" does mean a few sacrifices and some modifications to daily habits.

From battery maintentance to stoking the hot water heater, here's what life off the grid looks like in 2011.