When searching for the perfect ‘forever’ home, many people dream of modern amenities right at their doorstep. Giant food stores, trendy restaurants, and leisure options are often at the top of the list, alongside essential services like medical care. Add in the hope for a friendly community with pleasant neighbors, and you’ve got the ideal living situation many of us crave. We tend to appreciate having all our needs met within the convenience of urban living.
Now, imagine something entirely different: living off-grid for 50 years, without relying on any external sources for daily needs. It may sound far-fetched, but deep in the Redwoods, between Willits and Fort Bragg, one man, Charles Bello, has been doing exactly that. For more than half of his life, Bello has lived the eco-friendly dream, and now, he’s offering a unique opportunity for others to join him in this self-sustained lifestyle.
The Redwood Forest: A True Haven for Life
Charles Bello’s Redwood Forest isn’t just a peaceful escape—it’s a thriving home for countless living things. These 240 acres are packed with giant redwoods, some of the oldest trees you’ll ever see. They don’t just look impressive; they help clean the air and provide the perfect environment for so much life to grow.
But it’s not just about the trees. If you walk through the forest, you’ll spot all sorts of plants like ferns and wildflowers that spring up from the rich soil. And if you pay attention, you’ll hear birds singing above—woodpeckers, owls, you name it. Down below, deer and foxes quietly wander through the woods, enjoying the peace that this forest offers them.
What’s amazing about this place is how untouched it is. Thanks to Bello’s lifelong dedication to keeping it that way, the forest has stayed wild and free from modern pressures. It’s a safe spot where nature is left to do what it does best—grow, live, and thrive.
Nesting Success In The Forest
Charles Bello, a widower and father of two, is widely regarded as a homesteading hero. His dedication to preserving nature is evident in his decision to protect 1,000 trees in his woodland, ensuring they won’t be cut for the next 2,000 years. This act reflects his deep commitment to the land he’s called home for decades.
In 1968, Charles and his wife, Vanna Rae, took a bold step towards self-reliance by purchasing 240 acres of untouched Redwood forest for $45,000, a sum that represented their entire life savings, supplemented by financial support from family. They quickly transitioned to a life off the grid, building a modest panelized A-frame house in just five days at an additional cost of $2,800.
Living half an hour down a dirt road with no access to a fridge or telephone, they had to build their own infrastructure, including a road and a bridge to reach their home. For decades, they lived simply, preserving their own food, homeschooling their two sons, Mark and Mike, and making ends meet by selling Christmas trees.
The Tough Reality of Off-Grid Living
Living off-grid is often romanticized, but in reality, it comes with significant challenges. For Charles Bello, every aspect of daily life required more effort, from simple tasks like food preservation to ensuring access to basic necessities. Without the convenience of modern tools, it meant relying entirely on manual labor and natural resources.
What made this lifestyle demanding was the constant need for maintenance and self-sufficiency. Growing food, collecting firewood, and handling repairs were just the beginning. Unlike modern living, where help or supplies are a phone call away, the Bellos had to plan for every situation. It wasn’t an easy path, but the reward was a life grounded in resilience and independence.
From Architect to Homesteader: Building Dreams in the Redwoods
Charles Bello’s background in architecture and landscape design uniquely prepared him for the life he would lead in the wilderness. As an intern for famed architect Richard Neutra in the 1950s, and having worked with notable figures like architect Henry Hill and landscape architect Robert Royston, Bello was well-equipped to transform the natural resources around him into functional, beautiful structures.
In 1982, he built a larger, three-bedroom home for his family. However, despite the house’s size and practicality, Bello wasn’t completely satisfied with it. He confessed to The New York Times, “I never did like that structure much. It is too heavy for my taste, and I prefer curvilinear, softer, lighter forms.”
Bello’s vision for more organic architecture led him to build five concrete-arched bridges across his land, each constructed with his own lumber. His final and most ambitious project was the stunning Parabolic Glass House, designed to bring the surrounding woodland into the home. The house features curvilinear wooden roofs and two curved walls of windows, creating an immersive experience with nature. This sustainable dream home cost only $8,500 to complete, fulfilling Bello’s long-standing desire for a home nestled entirely within the trees.
50 Years Off-Grid, Stewards Of The Land
In 1997, Charles and his wife, Vanna Rae, founded the Redwood Forest Institute, further cementing their commitment to the land they cherished. The institute was created to protect the forest and ensure its sustainability for generations to come. Sadly, Vanna Rae passed away in 2010, but Charles continued to uphold their shared vision.
Reflecting on his family’s connection to the land, Bello revealed to Outside Online, “When the kids left here, they went at 15 years old. They left home, and they went into mainstream and got jobs, so they were really not interested in this lifestyle.” While his sons pursued lives away from the forest, Bello’s dedication never wavered. Now, at the age of 87, he is seeking two middle-aged couples to step in as stewards of the land.
These couples won’t own the land or the equipment but will be provided with housing and an opportunity to immerse themselves in this off-grid lifestyle. After a trial period, they may even become members of the Board of Directors for the Redwood Forest Institute, continuing Bello’s lifelong mission of conservation.