Letter Re: Idaho and Washington as Retreat Locales

Hi Jim, I heard that Washington state joined the 10th Amendment movement. Funny, but we moved out of that state in February because it was seemingly so socialistic. Since then we’ve been actively looking for a small farm in Idaho but when I heard that news I wanted to see if you think it advisable to look into eastern Washington too. I’m amazed at all the properties for sale there. You can get so much more for your money there. But I wanted to check with you first. Thanks, – Evan S. JWR Replies: Keep in mind that just a …


Letter Re: Selecting Retreat Properties–Pros and Cons of Buying Remote and Off Grid

Jim: To follow-up on your recent article, a very big “Pro” to buying off-grid land that was not mentioned is that you will not have strangers having access to your property. I am specifically referring to the Meter Reader for the utility company. I have “country” property on the Grid and have to furnish the Meter Reader a key to access the property to read the electric meter. The Meter Reader comes once a month to read the meter. I have not figured a way to deny them access. (Maybe you have a suggestion on how to prevent the meter …


Two Letters Re: Some Thoughts on the Survival Vehicle

Hi James, Regarding the article “Some Thoughts on the Survival Vehicle” – I couldn’t agree more with the choice of an older Ford truck. I love mine. The only part I take exception to is converting permanently from electronic ignition to a mechanical point type distributor. I understand the EMP and other concerns, but there is a caveat readers need to be informed of. Some/most Fords with 302 or 5.0 liter engines in the mid- to late-1980s and on were equipped from the factory with a hydraulic roller lifter camshaft. The roller cams are made of very hard steel, harder …


Economics and Investing:

Matt in Texas sent this “must read” link: Martin Armstrong: Is It Time To Turn Out The Lights? Here is a key quote: “We are standing on the edge of a cliff in the middle of nowhere. … We must ask our politicians a very important question: Where are you going? To date, the answers have been more of a riddle… In other words, we get a paradoxical explanation that is of something that is the opposite of what it suggests. … This Economic Depression is unstoppable, regardless what Government says. … Unless we start to get sane people with …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Kurt sent this: What sells in a recession. Kurt’s comment: “Hmmm, canning and freezing supplies up 11.5%. Maybe some of the sheeple are waking up.”    o o o Simon in England suggested this: “Jericho” gets second life — as comic book. Meanwhile, there is still talk of a Jericho feature film. (You can read the latest gossip at this fan site.)    o o o Responding to my recent mention of creative “bumper attachments” that fit is standard receiver hitch channels, Johnny Utah mentioned this none-too-subtle novelty accessory.    o o o For a limited time, MURS Radios is …



Notes from JWR:

Just two days left! The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is now at $1,435. This auction ends at midnight (Eastern time) on March 15th. It is for a large mixed lot, which includes:: 1.) A “be ready to barter” box of 38 full-capacity gun magazines, from my personal collection in JASBORR. This box includes: 4 – Used original East German 30 rd. steel AK-47 magazines in a “raindrop” camouflage pattern belt pouch, 12 – Excellent-to-new condition original Bundeswehr contract HK91 (G3) alloy 20 round magazines, 6 – Well-used but serviceable condition original Austrian FN-FAL steel 20 round magazines …


How Many Magazines is Enough?, by Cowboy

It’s nice to know how many guns you have to share amongst those mags, or better yet how many magazines do you have to share amongst multiple like model rifles or pistols for that matter. That’s how I count them to see if I feel like I have enough or not. Plus, I like to count in the possibility of adding another gun or two into that particular category at a later date since buying extra mags is always cheaper than adding a new gun. If nothing else, extra mags are a great investment for later sale or barter especially …


Three Letters Re: Advice on Silver or Gold Jewelry for Barter?

Hi – I just read your comments regarding not holding jewelry for precious metals holdings. As one who makes his living (and has done so for decades) in jewelry, coins and guns, I fully agree with your comments. I have had many customers in over the years that had decided that jewelry was a good place to invest in precious metals, and after I went over it with them, they have all switched to good products. There are some very good fake jewelry out there these days that will fool many, even with the use of a stone and acid. …


Economics and Investing:

I was interviewed again briefly by the folks at the Fox Business News “Happy Hour” television show. The topic was, of all things, “buying off grid rural property.” Folks are waking up! From H.P.D.: 8,000 Earmarks. Kevin A. spotted this: Freddie Mac Lost $265 Million Per Day. “The main skill required to run Freddie Mac seems to be the ability to light three one thousand dollar bills on fire every second of every day. If these guys keep it up, they may even be able to get a job at AIG one day.” The Other Chris sent this Rise in …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Rob C. sent us a bit of good news: Vehicular open-carry expanded in Utah.    o o o HPD forwarded this item from Police State Britannia: Revealed: police databank on thousands of protesters    o o o Appleseed shoots are ramping up! There are a huge number of “shoots” scheduled all around the nation, with many on our around Patriot’s Day weekend (the weekend of April 19th). For example, Southern Arizona will be hosting its first ever Appleseed Shoot and Rifle Clinic.on April 25th and 26th, in Sierra Vista. The cost is $70 (pre-registered) for a two day rifle clinic …



Note from JWR:

The new Ulysses Press edition of my novel “Patriots” .will be released in early April. Amazon will be selling it for just $10.14. I’d like to make a special request of SurvivalBlog readers: If you plan to buy any copies, please wait until our planned “Patriots Book Bomb” day – April 8th. By forestalling orders and having hundreds of them all placed on the same day, we hope to drive the novels’s Amazon.com sales rank into the Top Ten. Please mark your calendar for April 8th. Many thanks!


Selecting Retreat Properties–Pros and Cons of Buying Remote and Off Grid

I recently had a consulting client that hired me to do a search on his behalf for a rural retreat property in southwestern Oregon. In the early stages of the search, he asked about the pros and cons of buying undeveloped “off grid” properties that do not have utility power poles nearby. This summarizes my reply: From the standpoint of setting up a rural, self-sufficient retreat, an off-grid parcel is actually advantageous, for two reasons: 1.) They are generally more remote and away from natural “lines of drift” and hence are far less likely to be in the path of …


Letter Re: Pack a Property Tax Receipt in Your G.O.O.D. Kit, to Get Through Checkpoints

Dear Mr. Rawles: It might prove worthwhile to put a copy of your latest property tax bill receipt as (proof of ownership of your retreat property) in your “Get Out of Dodge” (G.O.O.D.) ready kit. For example the county in which your retreat property is located might form road blocks to keep out the Golden Horde. If you are late getting out of town how is someone manning a rural roadblock, such as a deputy, to know that you are a tax paying member of the community and not just part of the Golden Horde? For that matter how are …