SurvivalBlog’s News From The American Redoubt 

This weekly column features news stories and event announcements from around the American Redoubt region. (Idaho, Montana, eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, and Wyoming.) Much of the region is also more commonly known as The Inland Northwest. We also mention companies located in the region that are of interest to preppers and survivalists. Today, a special look at the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in the American Redoubt generated by the recent major solar storms. Region-Wide Stunning pictures of the northern lights captured across the northwest. o  o  o KREM 2 viewers capture northern lights show around the Inland Northwest. Idaho Precinct …



Preparedness Notes for Monday — May 13, 2024

On May 13, 1787, the First Fleet headed by Arthur Phillip set sail with 11 ships of convicts for Botany Bay, Australia. — A recent Jonathan Rawles interview with NC Scout has been released. They discussed relocation, real estate prices and affordability, how internal migration is driving a cultural change in rural areas, and how to get established and connected, post-relocation. — An Update: The fundraising drive for the Baan SuFan orphanage and school in northern Thailand is now almost 50% complete. Thanks to everyone who has donated! The remainder is $2,900 — to fill their current renovation and expansion …


Recipe of the Week: One-Hour Homemade Bread

The following recipe for One-Hour Homemade Bread is from SurvivalBlog reader Tractorguy.  He writes: “What is a better accompaniment to nearly any meal than hot, fresh, homemade bread? I know, most people think it takes a lot of time and effort, but it doesn’t have to. Give this fast recipe a try. It is so easy, and literally takes only 60 minutes from the time you dissolve the yeast until you pull the bread out of the oven! Since there is some downtime in the recipe, you can multi-task this in while you are preparing other parts of the meal.” …


SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week

Today’s graphic is a map that shows home affordability, by county. (Graphic courtesy of Reddit.) FYI, the only two counties shaded red in The American Redoubt are right next to Glacier National Park (Whitefish, Montana) and The Grand Tetons (Jackson Hole, Wyoming). The thumbnail image below is click-expandable.     — Please send your graphic ideas to JWR. (Either via e-mail or via our Contact form.) Any graphics that you send must either be your own creation or uncopyrighted.


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“The most interesting political questions throughout history have been whether humans will be ruled or free, whether they will be responsible for their actions as individuals or left irresponsible as members of society, and whether they can live in peace by volitional agreements alone. The fundamental question of politics has always been whether there should be politics.” – Karl Hess


Preparedness Notes for Sunday — May 12, 2024

On May 12, 1789, William Wilberforce made his first major speech on abolition in the UK House of Commons, reasoning the slave trade morally reprehensible and an issue of natural justice. Following a conversion experience and becoming an evangelical Christian Wilberforce became one of the leading English abolitionists. Wilberforce headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for 26 years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. — On May 12, 1921 a solar storm began, dubbed The Great Geomagnetic Storm of May 1921. These were some of the headlines: “Telegraph Service Prostrated, Comet Not to …


JWR’s Meme Of The Week:

The latest meme created by JWR: Meme Text: That Face You Make — When You Are Told That In The Past Two Years Under Biden… …The Number of Military-Age Illegals Entering The Country Was Six Times The Manpower of the Active U.S. Army News Links: U.S. Military Manpower.  (Estimated: 453,551 in the Active Army) Arizona sheriff: Border crossings are by primarily ‘military-aged men’. Alarming Rise in Military-Aged Chinese Men Entering US Illegally, Border Patrol Union Chief Warns. Notes From JWR: Do you have a meme idea? Just e-mail me the concept, and I’ll try to assemble it. And if it …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. And these things give …


Preparedness Notes for Saturday — May 11, 2024

On May 11, 1910, Montana’s Glacier National Park was established. On May 11, 1068, Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, was crowned Queen of England in Westminster Abbey, London. And on May 11, 1949, Israel was admitted into the United Nations. — I just put all of my knife and bayonet inventory on sale, at Elk Creek Company. This sale ends on Friday,  May 17th, so order soon! — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 112 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: The photovoltaic power specialists …


Editors’ Prepping Progress

To be prepared for a crisis, every Prepper must establish goals and make both long-term and short-term plans. In this column, the SurvivalBlog editors review their week’s prep activities and planned prep activities for the coming week. These range from healthcare and gear purchases to gardening, ranch improvements, bug-out bag fine-tuning, and food storage. This is something akin to our Retreat Owner Profiles, but written incrementally and in detail, throughout the year.  We always welcome you to share your own successes and wisdom in your e-mailed letters. We post many of those — or excerpts thereof — in the Odds …


The Editors’ Quote of the Day:

“O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. Mine eye …


Preparedness Notes for Friday — May 10, 2024

On May 19, 1960, the US atomic submarine USS Triton (SSRN-586) completed the first submerged circumnavigation of the globe, code-named Operation Sandblast, following the same track as the first circumnavigation led by Ferdinand Magellan. Triton was then under the command of Captain Edward L. Beach. On May 10, 1972, Top Gun Graduate Randall “Duke” Cunningham and his backseater Wally “Irish” Driscoll shot down three MiGs in a dogfight and became the first Ace of the Vietnam War. He later commanded the Top Gun school when they came to make the first movie. His Vice Commander was John McCain. May 10th …


Economics & Investing For Preppers

Here are the latest news items and commentary on current economics news, market trends, stocks, investing opportunities, and the precious metals markets. In this column, JWR also covers hedges, derivatives, and various obscura. This column emphasizes JWR’s “tangibles heavy” investing strategy and contrarian perspective. Today, we look at the continuing bull markets in physical gold and silver. Precious Metals: The editors of The New York Times have apparently awakened and are now smelling the coffee: China Is Buying Gold Like There’s No Tomorrow. o  o  o The silver-to-gold ratio is shifting again. As of Wednesday, it took 84.19 ounces of …