Dear Mr. Rawles:
Having read both of the letters about Northeastern Colorado Retreats and having personally lived the general area since 1967 I wish to offer the following comments. I believe there are merits in both letters.
The area is best described as semi-arid with an annual rainfall in the range of 12-13 inches per year; but, keep in mind we are recovering from a 10 year drought with average annual rainfall around 8 inches. These averages are accurate as our family has farmed and have kept accurate records since 1973. We have a large garden and routinely can more food than we consume with the balance going to like minded individuals that we barter with for services and goods or to the local food pantry. Yes we have to irrigate but we have two windmills, one for livestock and one for the garden that provide plenty of water on with no electricity what so ever. These wells are 55 feet deep with the pump base set at 45 feet. Ground water level runs in the 35-40 foot range depending on the time of year. We also have a domestic well 100 feet deep with the pump at 75 feet. There is live water 1/2 mile to the east and two fresh water springs with potable water within 1-1/2 miles of the house. One is concealed. Over the years we have planted and raised close to a mile of tree lines to protect animals, the garden and buildings. An orchard provides four different fruits and three different berries. Is one able to live off the land here? Yes, with years of preparation.
While not evident, many people in this area are silently preparing. Individuals are visiting and pacts are being discussed. Multiple lines of communication and defense are being quietly developed. Looters and thieves (“foragers”) will not see a beehive but they will encounter a deadly swarm of bees. These people have been shooting and hunting together all their lives. 300 to 400 yard shots on coyotes are not uncommon. Can the area be defended? Yes, with preparation.
Incidentally, I have a friend that is actually moving out of southeast Nebraska after growing up there. He says “Do a Google search on ‘Rulo, Nebraska and look back into the 1970s. Some things haven’t changed”. I can’t comment, those are just his feelings and as 22 year veteran he must know something.
Sure the economy is poor, but what difference will that make if the SHTF.
The point I am trying to make is what SurvivalBlog is about. There is no perfect retreat location. You have to prepare. We have, in northeastern Colorado and western Nebraska, what we feel is an adequate retreat location for us. But, we have been preparing for over 40 years. You can not move into this area, or probably most areas, and be adequately prepared in the first year, two, or in some cases ten. Resources and allies take time to develop. – F.M. in Colorado