Josh Duhamel turned 52 Minnesota acres into an off-grid family retreat

When he is not swamped with his Hollywood projects, Josh Duhamel retreats to his off-grid property in Minnesota, where outdoor barbecues, fishing and lake days offer him and his son a taste of the simple life.Duhamel bought his first parcel of Minnesota lakefront land around 2008. Soon enough, he purchased the property next to it, bringing the total to 52 acres. The land sat empty except for an old cabin. It was the kind of fixer-upper that most buyers avoid. The cabin had no electricity or plumbing. For most people, it would be a cautionary tale. For Duhamel, it became the most meaningful investment he had ever made. The land was in the woods near a lake, an hour-plus drive from Fargo and his home state of North Dakota.