[Location] Considerations

Specop_007 · Expert Joined: Aug 12, 2004 Posts: 6278

I was thinking about location recently and realized something.

man has existed virtually all over the planet in some form or fashion before we ever drilled the first well.

Its less about where you are and more about how you go about it. Ant and grasshopper kind of logic. The laziest man in the world would starve in a utopia, the smart hard working man could survive in the frozen glaciers.

Dont pick your location for your survival, pick your attitude to allow you to survive regardless of your location.
_________________
"Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the
Abyss, the Abyss gazes also into you."

Ammo at a gunfight is like bubblegum in grade school: If you havent brought enough for everyone, you're in trouble

كا&#

Pops · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 11:12 am Post subject: Re: [Location] Considerations

No argument Spec.

My point is simply to learn about and plan for as many of the possible scenarios likely in your existing or new location as possible.

For example, I had never been to Missouri before we looked at this place so I consulted a topo map as one of the first steps after deciding it was a good candidate to figure out my idea of where floods might happen.

We've had 74" of rain in the last 12 months and our average is 42".

I decided none of our buildings would ever flood and though 3 of 5 of the farm roads from here to town have had low water crossings impassible a couple of times we've had a way out even with 11" of rain in 2 days.

Not so with some folks up in N. MO, Iowa and downstream and I could list quite a few more places.

The point is to plan and work smarter - not just harder.
_________________
Make a plan and work it:

duke · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:45 am Post subject: Re: [Location] Considerations

We researched and moved to north Idaho 30 years ago. Could see the issues back then.

Our goal...to locate ourselves in a real nice location which was able to be made secure over time. Make it our permanent home and set up stashing everything we would need so as not to need to leave for at least one full year. More like three now. Except for 1/2&1/2 for the coffee. Maybe trade with some regional country neighbors for that?

That is if someone did not shoot their cow right after they shot your mule?

Things only get done in life if...you do them. I don't envy anyone trying to get safely set up now a days with the time factor and costs of doing it. It might be wiser to team up with others and split the expenses and combine the labor to reach that point.

Pre-positioning the bulk your stuff with a occupied secured group location is a real good choice for some. A days drive to such a location is not that bad. I can see nothing which would prevent anyone from making such a trek. That is if they were willing to endure a few false starts along the way.

In other words not everyone is going to have their very own fall back safe place with their name on the deed. As a matter of fact I would bet it would only come down to a couple percent of those concerned about future events.

Now if you currently live in a city/area which is way far from a realistic long term safer region...well who choice was that anyway?

Specop_007 · Expert Joined: Aug 12, 2004 Posts: 6278

Very good point Pops. When we bought our house I asked for a topo map of the subdivision for just that reason.

You'd be suprised how many people buy property based o looks alone. Shocked

_________________
"Battle not with monsters, lest ye become a monster, and if you gaze into the
Abyss, the Abyss gazes also into you."

Ammo at a gunfight is like bubblegum in grade school: If you havent brought enough for everyone, you're in trouble

كا&#

ORCA · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 8:44 am Post subject: Re: [Location] Considerations

Nice post, Duke.

Being isolated has its positives and negatives, I guess. Me? Well, I reached the conclusion some time ago that it will take a community of some sort to return things to a long-term livable state. Working together voluntarily within a loose, agreed upon, organization will probably be necessary.

That may not work everywhere. Success depends upon those coming together having the right attitude and putting pre-PO ego aside, (not to mention greed).

Good luck to us all!
_________________
"If everything is going well, you obviously overlooked something."

Ludi · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:43 am Post subject: Re: [Location] Considerations

mos6507 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 10:56 am Post subject: Re: [Location] Considerations

Specop_007 · Expert Joined: Aug 12, 2004 Posts: 6278

duke · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:42 am Post subject: Re: [Location] Considerations

Hi Orca and Ludi,

Thanks for the input. Teaming up to combine required skills, man power and much more is hard. But so is life. Just don't try something because.... others have failed.

We are gathering those around this region and country to work together with. It takes time, sometimes months to get just one inquiry about us. But...it is working!!

For most the extra cash and extra time is just not available to acquire and develope a secured retreat location. It is way more than a second summer home expense. How do we know this...because we have done it.

In our case we have made said site our home, occuppied 24/7. Thus as the group grows and new ideas come into light we can work at applying them right away. Not on our two week vacation type deal.

Those on board and the several newer couples we are meeting up with very soon (off site) for now, have realized just how long it will take for them...after fully equipping themselves in supply areas, to either gain the wealth needed, retired to have the time or other considerations to complete such a sight for themselves. They realize the next disaster or crisis is not waiting for thm to get ready!!

Living 24/7 in the country side is not easy and it certainly is not for all. Country living is not only in our blood but we have the financial means to do it and visit town once a week or so. Networking in search of a few select others has been very hard and full of rude comments and put downs by none other than... fellow supposed survival posters on various sites. Rather than being happy for some fellow preppers, they try to tear down the group to... maybe elevate themselves? Who knows. My Mom taught me many things and one was "if you don't have something nice to say...shut up".

Anyway, combining man power, resouces, skills and working together in help ensure a good out come from surviving any disaster is to us... a smarter way to go than going it alone. No put downs and no comparision here...just one more way to do something, that is all...

Ludi · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 8:46 am Post subject: Re: [Location] Considerations

That's very encouraging, duke. I have no doubt it is possible, only difficult!

Have you read "Creating a Life Together" by Diana Leafe Christian? It is about how to build successful intentional community. I recommend it.
_________________
"...powerdown so soft and fluffy you'll think you're living in a pillow." - jboogy

duke · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: [Location] Considerations

Hi, Thanks.

I will see if this book is in the bookstore, to glance at first. I might take this moment to clear up a couple things. We are not sponsoring an intentional community, a commune, a cult center, temporary/permanent shelter or any other type power base.

We are sponsoring a ranch with the redundant infrastructure to handle up to 20 people to fall back to only in the event of a "life threatening emergency" occurrence. No one gets to live here for any other reason...no matter what. Even if you lost their home and are on the street. Sorry, we are not a half way ranch for that. It is an insurance policy to go to if it just becomes way to dangerous to be in the public realm.

I am always glad to share some more to anyone who might be interested. I was under the impression that "intentional communities" were more of a long term settlement plan and idea? If so again that is not us. "Use only in the case of a life threatening emergency". My wife and I live on the ranch and like our solitude and separation from the insanity of this world.

Thanks again for the input....Take care, Duke