Missouri resident Michael Loftis adopted an "off-the-grid" lifestyle with his family four years ago when they hit the open road in an RV to explore the country. Even with four children under the age of seven, Loftis found the experience exhilarating.
"We were already kind of adventurous people. We like being in secluded locations," said the 41-year-old former real estate broker. Loftis and his family's journey stretched from the Florida Everglades to Wyoming's Grand Teton national park.
In 2020, Loftis imagined a home base for his family to return to after their trips and began building an off-grid cabin on the farm where he grew up in Thornfield, Missouri. Over the six months, he estimates that he spent $50,000 on the project.
The COVID-19 pandemic eventually complicated the family's plans to hit the road again, so Loftis and his family moved permanently to a house in a nearby town.
Now, the cabin serves as a getaway for travelers seeking a quiet escape from their daily lives and brings in around $4,000 during the warmer months of March through October, Insider verified through records provided by Loftis.
Loftis said he wants his guests to be able to "disconnect" while they're staying at his Airbnb and enjoy the nature surrounding them.
"I just want you to enjoy the property, turn off your cell phone, walk through the woods, sit by the water, and have a cup of coffee in the mornings," he said.