Letter Re: Walking to the Retreat

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Gentlemen: In recent days SurvivalBlog has published two articles that heavily feature the “Shank’s Mare” option– walking to Get Out of Dodge. I consider walking to a bugout location a last resort but one that must be included in the planning process. To that end, I’ve been looking for a device that could provide assistance in such a trek. In the movie “The Road,” made from the Cormac McCarthy book of the same name, the father eventually comes into possession of what looks like a Strongway Yard Cart (available through Amazon and others) or similar cart, which is a 4 …


Getting Ready For the Long Walk-Part 2, by Lone Wolf and Cub

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Yesterday, I introduced my public service announcement directed especially for city dwellers and provided details for Stage 1, which is “facing your fears”. You must recognize God and your Christian duty to provide first for your family. You should also focus every resource toward purchasing farmable land in your name so that you and your family don’t become part of the Golden Horde, trying to get out of a city that resembles one filled with zombies in the Walking Dead. Stage 2 The Preparation. Begin With Prayer Begin with a routine of morning and nightly prayers. Only by the Providence …


Getting Ready For the Long Walk-Part 1, by Lone Wolf and Cub

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As a preface to this article, I will say that my family consists of my son and me. He is the light of my life. He is my inspiration for survival. I have few good friends that I consider loyal and trustworthy. They take preparation seriously, although I know many people who do not. The following is based on a hypothetical situation in which society breaks down very quickly and violently. To me, it is a real possibility, and I draw upon my experience of living among different societies, which galvanizes this belief. I am not a doom and gloomer; …


International Travel Preparation- Part 2, by O.D.

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Yesterday, in Part 1, I shared about the importance of getting your vaccinations before travelling to international destinations. I also shared various preps, including some of the things I find helpful to carry, where I recommend a person stay, and what not to bother with. I also shared that from time to time when I was staying some place for awhile, I have purchased and stashed an old bicycle to have on hand in case I needed to “get out of Dodge” quickly and quietly. No matter whether you are having to get out of Dodge or you are just …


Letter Re: Plan “B” Power

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Hugh: I got a little solar set up. I put most of the panels in a cabinet, leaving one up to “trickle charge” the batteries and keep them up. It did not work. In trying to save the batteries, I employed a Honda EU2000 with the dc charging feature. That EU2000 was how I was going to smooth over charging issues during consecutive cloudy days. The problem is, the measured voltage range between full capacity and the minimum you should tolerate is very small. The EU2000 does not have a charge controller. “Keeping an eye on the process” does not …


International Travel Preparation- Part 1, by O.D.

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When the mushroom cloud goes up or the grid goes down, those of us preparing will be fortunate if we are home or at our pre-planned bug out location and with our family. But many of us work away from home, with a sizeable minority of us travelling out-of-country. What then? Are you prepared for international travel? Getting All The Way Back Home I’ve been flying to and from work for about three decades, usually not to places high on the “must-see for the party scene” list. On my second-ever expatriate assignment, I got a quick and extremely pointed wake-up …


Recipe of the Week: Hobo Stew, by D.B.

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There are a few variations of this recipe. Here’s mine. There’s a lot of food value in this recipe, and it’s ready in about 40 minutes. Ingredients: 1 lb ground meat (turkey or beef) 2 or 3 cloves garlic (diced) 1 large onion (diced) 1 large bell pepper 1-10 oz can Rotel 1-4 oz can diced green chiles 1 can Bush beans (or equal) 1 can black beans 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 Tbsp corn starch (optional) Directions: Brown meat, onions, garlic, bell pepper, and diced chiles for 10 minutes or so. Add Rotel and simmer for 10 minutes. Add …


Recognizing and Resolving Common Vitamin Deficiencies, by J.F. Texas

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Ideally every person from birth through old age would get all the nutrients they need from the food they consume, but deficiencies occur. There are times when the optimal amount of nutrients from food intake are not possible. People who consume energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods can develop a marginal micronutrient intake and low serum concentrations of vitamins. In times of food shortages or limited access to fresh foods, nutrient deficiencies can become even more common, especially vitamin deficiencies. What are vitamins? Vitamins are organic molecules required in small amounts to prevent deficiency signs and symptoms. The most concern is for water-soluble …


Letter Re: Approaching Grand Solar Minimum

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HJL, I have recently heard about the grand solar minimum and am wondering if you guys have any thoughts on it? It seems to have some pretty serious implications regarding more extreme weather and how our climate is changing (which it always has been). I live on the gulf coast so preparedness for me has always been important due to hurricanes. My question is: out of all the climate hype that we have been inundated with over the last decade or so, is this something to really be taken seriously? It is wise to stay prepared nonetheless, however if the …


Guest Post: In A Better World, by Gary Christenson

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In a better world we might expect: Individuals, corporations, and governments spend no more than their income. “Honest” money is used by all, has intrinsic value, retains its purchasing power and is not counterfeited by individuals or bankers. Governments and bankers support and encourage “honest” money. Alas, we live in this world and must realize that: Debt has increased rapidly for the past century. Example: U.S. national debt has expanded from roughly $3 billion to $20 trillion. Currencies are IOU’s issued by central banks who promote ever-increasing currency in circulation, expanding debt, and continual devaluations in purchasing power. The “fiat-currency-game” …


July in Precious Metals, by Steven Cochran

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Welcome to SurvivalBlog’s Precious Metals Month in Review, by Steven Cochran of Gainesville Coins, where we take a look at “the month that was” in precious metals. Each month, we cover the price action of gold and examine the “what” and “why” behind those numbers. What Did Gold Do In July? Gold started July off with a bang but not the kind it wanted. A big jump in wholesale prices in the manufacturing sector on July 3rd sent gold plunging to the $1,220 mark. On July 3rd, North Korea successfully tested its first ICBM capable of reaching the United States. …


The Novice And The Expert- Part 3, by Old Bobbert

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Yesterday, we took a look at what we’d need to do first in the event of an EMP and just barely began to look at the possibility of a tsunami or serious flood across the U.S. East Coast, causing complete evacuation and shut down. We’ll continue today to look at this incident and others that might happen. East Coast Tsunami (continued) In the event that the New York City financial service system shuts down, for any reason, that singular event will shut down the entire world banking system. Awe, shucks! And this will happen while the system is correcting itself …


Typeay’s Book Review: The Red Cliffs of Zerhoun, by Matt Bracken

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So, how does one categorize The Red Cliffs of Zerhoun? In my opinion, you simply can’t. Anyone taking a cursory glance at Amazon’s current fiction novel listings will confirm what many folks may have already surmised. The past few years have seen an explosion of what is commonly now referred to as “dystopian fiction”. In the typical dystopian tome, a lone protagonist or group sets out on a quest for survival in what was once the world as he, or she, knew it. I will cut right to the chase.  Matt Bracken’s latest novel is not a work of dystopian …


The Novice And The Expert- Part 2, by Old Bobbert

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Today, we are continuing to learn, whether we are a novice or an expert in preparedness. If experts, we can learn how to guide a novice in their preparation planning. Confidence Key Words We left off yesterday with a group in a pandemic situation going grocery store shopping in teams with lists and cash. We had a reference to use confidence key words at checkout to help avoid being a victim. What are these confidence key words? I know that you know them. Read the following out loud: “Please and thank you. Yes, sir. Yes, ma’am. We appreciate your help.” …


The Novice And The Expert- Part 1, by Old Bobbert

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This article will not make you an expert prepper, but it can help you as you help a newbie prepper get started, It can also help the newbie get a good start, even if they’re without a expert to pick up the broken pieces of a poorly prepared preparedness plan. A Little Pretending As We Plan Let’s pretend today. You are one of the two primary types of preppers. You are either an experienced very competent prepper, one who genuinely cares to help others, or you are the inexperienced newbie who desperately wants someone to help you survive and make …