More Letters Re: Paper Maps

Hugh, Hunting and sport shops also sell detailed map books for many states. These maps are designed for hunters and show roads, in great detail, that are often not shown on typical road maps. – M.J. o o o Hugh, A recent reader post mentioned cleanroom paper, pointing out that it is very strong and durable. DuPont Tyvek was originally created as paper for cleanroom use because it does not shed fibers like pulp-made paper does. It was later discovered to be quite useful as air barrier house wrap; Dupont’s patent has expired, so a number of competitors are manufacturing …


The Time Is Short, Stock Up! – Part 1, by J.H.

The world, as most SurvivalBlog readers understand, is a place full of unpleasant truths and harsh realities. It is not, nor has it ever been, nor (until our Lord returns) will it ever be a place where the lion lies down with the lamb. We are charged to pray for our nation and its leaders and to hope for the best, but we are to prepare for the worst. We would all like to believe, as Abraham Lincoln put it, in the angels of our better nature. I would like to believe in this as well, though the stark facts …


Making Your Home a Castle Hidden in Plain Sight, by B.T.

Many people do not seek professional advice about home security, because there are many do-it-yourself resources available. This, coupled with a handful of common sense, can get you a long way in home fortification. Let’s talk about how to get these upgrades to work together in a synergistic manner that maintains a low profile but increases your security posture. I have 15 years of military experience, 12 years of law enforcement experience, and four years of experience providing personal security for top U.S. government and foreign officials. I have traveled the world, working with foreign governments, militaries, and police forces. …


Three Letters Re: Paper Maps

Hugh / Jim, In reference to the short article on road maps, I offer two things: Folding paper maps are still available at AAA, free to members or to customers through their travel agency. (Ask a friend or family member to pick a few up for you.) Regarding the Gazetteers, these are the best general purpose map books you can get for the state you live or travel in. They are available at every Mart store for around $20. They are exact copies of topographical maps in your (state) area, including remote and back country areas, which in turn will …


Continuity Plan, by E.M.

I guess I have always been a survivalist. As a small child during the Cuban Missile Crisis, I remember bugging out from our house near a SAC bomber base in Florida to a piece of land my dad owned about 70 miles away. I was awakened in the middle of the night by my parents, had a blanket draped over my shoulders, and was carried to my dad’s pickup. I didn’t really know what was going on, but I could tell my parents were scared. My uncle, who was in the military, called my dad in the middle of the …


Three Letters Re: Road Maps

Dear Jim, As a very long time ebayer, I know the site quite well. In response to where to purchase old U.S. road maps (and indeed other countries), currently there are almost 3000 maps on ebay. Some are so old that some of the newer big interstates are not on there, but the back roads and rural county roads will be. That is probably how most people will plan their bugging out. – H.L. o o o Hugh, In a recent letter, reader C.B. notes that Rand McNally’s map book is sometimes the only available map of the area. From …


Recipe of the Week: Beefburger Stroganoff

Ingredients: 1½ lbs lean ground beef 3 slices of bacon, diced 1 small onion 2 tbs flour ¼ tsp paprika 1 tsp salt 1 (10¾ oz) can of condensed cream of mushroom soup 2 tbs dry red wine 1 cup dairy sour cream 6 to 8 hamburger buns, toasted and buttered Directions: In a large skillet brown beef and bacon until red color disappears; then, drain. In a slow cooking pot, mix together drained beef, bacon, onion, flour, paprika, and salt. Stir in undiluted soup and wine. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. Stir in sour …


Letter Re: The Golden Moments of Silence

Hugh, This article, “The Golden Moments of Silence” struck me by its coinciding with my experience from just last week while traveling through a very majestic and picturesque part of the country. This paragraph in particular by Sarah Latimer: “This article, I hope, will inspire you to look up from the computer, smart phone, iPad, or pull out the ear buds ….” While camping in the Black Hills of South Dakota last week I was appalled at the behavior of those who drove up to scenic overlooks that jumped out of their vehicle and went to the perch and held …


Letter: Road Maps

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Hugh, On two recent trips this summer, one two week trip to eastern Pennsylvania and one to Las Vegas, I tried to find the old style folding road maps. In Pennsylvania’s Allentown, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia, and both Pocono’s and New Jersey shore area, at every gas station I stopped at, I asked about folding paper road maps. At some of the more modern stations I was met with a quizzical stare. I finally settled on a Rand McNally book. Fortunately, having grown up in that area, I knew my way around. I did find a paper map of the Las …


Guest Article: The Real Dirt About Gardening For Survival, by Melisa Mink

I know the “survival” mindset is very popular right now. There’s always a new threat of earthquakes, pandemic, flooding, wild fires, and so on. So, I would like to take a minute to pass on some truthful knowledge to the folks who are not avid gardeners but may find themselves in a disaster or other scenario where it could be a needed skill to survive. You need to be doing it now, to know how to do it later! Should a disaster, such as an earthquake or other event ever occur, your mind, body, and resources will be pushed yet …


Letter Re: Missouri Constitutional Carry—Not So Fast

Gentlemen, The recent override of Governor Nixon is indeed a step in the right direction. However, it is important to remember that Missouri citizens do not enjoy state preemption. This bill only allows permitless concealed carry where permitless open carry is currently allowed. Many localities ban carrying a firearm (concealed or unconcealed) without the state concealed carry license. If you choose to carry a concealed firearm without a valid permit, you will NOT enjoy any of the exemptions that are enjoyed by those who DO carry on a valid CCW permit, including exemptions to federal laws that prohibit firearms in …


Quick Reference Manual Regarding Disaster Survival and Recovery on the Road- Part 2, by J.P.R.

C. MASSIVE EMP (ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSE) ELECTRICAL FAILURE Identify Level of Failure The power grid is down Your cell phone is dead Your land line may not work Most electronic devices do not work or are impaired Your car will not start or stopped running Airplanes are falling from the sky Small fires or explosions may be observed This is a different event than a regular power failure. In this case, the power grid and many electronic devices have been permanently damaged. This is more serious than a power grid failure, depending on whether it is in a small or large …


Letter Re: Offensive Against ISIS

Hugh, Regarding ysterday’s posted story: Another potential mass shooter at the Oregon Clackamas Mall turned the long gun on himself, after killing two, when confronted by one civilian armed with a pistol. With a new administration, if we can stop subsidizing those of the do-nothing immigrants with undeserved and costly welfare, many of them will self-deport. Also, fewer of that type would come in the first place. They have no reason to assimilate if they don’t have to work. Why are you and I financing this? Syrian refugees are not only potentially very dangerous, but our government is purposely not …


Taking the Offensive Against ISIS: A Historical View- Part 2, by S.G. in Florida

Bret Stephens in the Wall Street Journal recently identified political beliefs that are endangering Europe.iii Mr. Stephens should have broadened his view to the West in general. Piggybacking on his ideas, the first thing that the West must do is recognize that there is something in the West worth preserving. It requires a great unlearning of the political mythologies on which modern society is ingesting. Among those mythologies: that the relative peace of the post-World War II world is the result of a postwar moral commitment to peace rather than a Paz-Americana; that Christianity is of merely historical importance rather …


Letter Re: Fireproof Safes

Hugh: I did some consulting for a well-known gun safe manufacturer. They make a premium product, and their clients never suffered loss due to either break-in or fire damage. The only heat resistant insulation they used was common sheetrock. They used multiple layers with offset corners and edges, similar to the wall between living space and garage in a modern home. They did not tape or use any mud, just a snug fit. It seems reasonable that the heat resistance of an ordinary inexpensive safe could be enhanced by fabricating a welded enclosure insulated with sheetrock and inserting the safe …