Long term/relocate bug out, what are you plans? Long Long Read

[MurtaughF3]

Ok so first let me say I'm very new the prepping thing, in case you haven't read a couple of my comments. Now I am not asking for your exact plan, or desired location, just general plans. This is basically for when the world goes to hell, more so than it already is. I'm talking along the lines of total choas, govt goes down, everyone is on there own, kinda like from the movie the PostMan or something.

While I don't have a temporary bug out plan yet, the wife and I are working on it. Something in the week long range.

But what about if it needs to be long term/relocate situation. My first thought would be to try to make it to my families house(currently 1,400 miles by main highway I20 straight shot). From there I would try to make it a smaller island off the east coast in the VA, NC, or SC region, FL keys might be an option, but not likely. I like the island theory due to only one way on, unless by boat. If the family is out of the question, then it's north to CO/WY. If this doesn't work, Yellowstone might be an option or just make our way north to Canada or AK. I'm sure this sounds grazy and probably not a good idea. So before you rip my plans to bad, just remember I'm new to this(starting considering/plannig/takign action about 2 weeks ago). My plans will only get better and more solid. I do realize these locations mean traveling great distance, but this is for the long haul, with the intention of probably not returning. With these plans I am working on a packing list which will take some time and require the right transportation(wife wants a FJ Cruiser), this might work this might not, along with trailer.

So feel free to leave feedback or share your long term plans if you have them. I honestly don't think it will ever come to this in my lifetime, maybe my daughters, but I doubt mine, but it is better to be ready and dissappointed, and not be ready and think I'm screwed.

[Kaw77]

Well I can speak to the FJ Cruiser as I HAD one for 16 months.
Past tense because I also thought it would be a good BOV.
crappy gas mileage - the best I got was 20 MPG babying it
15 gallon tank - 300 mile range - again unacceptable to me - unless you want to haul along additional gas cans.
the back door prevented many objects from fitting inside either due to shape or design.
Huge blind spot at the rear and sides. Barn door aerodynamics
Underpowered - acceleration when not loaded down was mediocre.
the back seat jump doors are very limited in their range of opening.
Just IMHO, YMMV

[MurtaughF3]

Well I can speak to the FJ Cruiser as I HAD one for 16 months.
Past tense because I also thought it would be a good BOV.
crappy gas mileage - the best I got was 20 MPG babying it
15 gallon tank - 300 mile range - again unacceptable to me - unless you want to haul along additional gas cans.
the back door prevented many objects from fitting inside either due to shape or design.
Huge blind spot at the rear and sides. Barn door aerodynamics
Underpowered - acceleration when not loaded down was mediocre.
the back seat jump doors are very limited in their range of opening.
Just IMHO, YMMV

I defiantly attend to agree with you on most things. This is what my wife wants, I'm sure she will change her mind. If they got a little better MPG I'd seriously consider one, but like you said, not a very far range. If they improve the MPG to about 25 over the next two years we might get one, otherwise not so sure. But they look supper nice and from what I've read very capabile, just have to plan out the gas situation.

I've got a Mini Clubman and can baby it and get over 500 mile range on a 13 gallon tank, tied in with a roof top basket and 2 extra 5 gallon jugs, that's right around 1,000 mile range. But these are very small, nice for getting in and out of tight places, but bad for taking gear.

[PA PATRIOT]

I would first suggest you cruise through all the prior threads in this section which cover some of the questions you have asked.

Then we may be able to specialize on the areas you still need help with.

[HES]

A bit of advice from a Florida resident...stay the hell away from this state for your own sake if the SHTF. At its widest, the wang is only 135 miles wide. With the population we have that translates into not a lot of open terrain. Once the population figures that out, they will take off for their hunting camps..and be all togehter. Same lousy situation but now in a disaster environment. Then everybody else and their uncle will try to take off for one island or another. It won't be pretty. I'm the first to admit that in a SHTF event this state will be a death trap.

To be honest it is my opinion that any place west of the Mississippi will be better than just about any place east of it. Just look at the current population maps. There are less people west of it to compete for resources.

As for heading to the mountains, a lot of folks say that. I'm willing to bet that 99% of those same people also don't know much about living off the land and think they can kill a buck a day and live like kings. I am a good hunter and the mountains are one of the last places I would chose to go to. You can only hunt so much. Long term how are you going to grow food in non areable land? The mountains also pose the same problem as an island on the east coast...everybody and their brother will be heading there. There is a reason why man has always settled the flat lands and avoided living in the mountains. My idea..head for some space in CO, TX, or OK. Be prepared for the winters.

[Gatorbait]

All events have/are/will start and stop.....on the local level.....

Before making cross-country plans....with a vehicle that you would like to get.... I would suggest starting your plans with your currently owned vehicle, find the range of it, then start exploring all sources of non-mechanically assisted , fresh water within range of 1/2 tank of gas. The best case is to find a magnitude 1 hydroshhere, and lots of nearby wood for fuel. It can be an interesting Sunday drive if you like, and you might be surprised at what local resorces there are.. Once you do this, it will be a starting point to build from...instead of no plans of going somewhere with something somehow. Non-specificity and lack of explicicity is usually folllowed by terminal stupidity, which, IMHRO,is a very, very bad thing....

Cheers,
gb

[MurtaughF3]

HES- you make some good points about the farming. I used to live in Gatlinburg TN, so the Great Smokey Mountain National park was my back yard. I know of some places farming might work, but your right it would be difficult. Hunting would not be that easy either. But there are several shelters and cabins on the hundreds of miles of hiking trails.

Gatorbait- Funny you should mention TX, because that is where I currently live(Abilene). But I mainly mention the east coast because I am military and all my family and wifes family is on the east coast. But then again there is no guarentee they will be there if stuff gets as bad is these actions would call for. Was actually considering tyring to stay put. We live in a great, very friends community, and mostly military community. As far as driving the range on my car is about 500 miles, and that is our go to vehicle right now or my wifes car, little less mpg but more room. I have a roof rack she doesn't. We have 2 lakes but the water is questionable. One thing I like about staying here is my family has a very close network of about 5-8 familes in the area, half are military, but almost all have firearms. So banding together to form a stronger stand would be a good option i think. But then you have the more people more supplies needed, but if each has enough to cover there family plus a little extra we should be fine. But thank you, you've given me some good things to think about.

[falcon5]

Something I believe to be a good idea for anyone planning their "go-to" spot would be to read the history of that region. Learn how hard it was for people there to farm, fish, hunt for their living before the age of tractors and synthetic fertilizers. How hard were the winters when heat came from firewood cut and split by hand.

Every food/fuel/supply cache has its eventual end and if the situation hasn't gone back to a happy place, you're faced with going frontier style. At that point, make sure you've chosen wisely.

I grew up on the islands of the southeastern coast. The water is dicey, the sandy soil hard to grow, you'll soon be living on blue crab, shrimp, etc. I now live in the mountains of Vermont. Game is fairly abundant, streams are healthy with wild brook trout, the growing season is short, the winters are long and cold. You can live off the land here, but it will be a lot of hard work.

[HES]

HES- you make some good points about the farming. I used to live in Gatlinburg TN, so the Great Smokey Mountain National park was my back yard. I know of some places farming might work, but your right it would be difficult. Hunting would not be that easy either. But there are several shelters and cabins on the hundreds of miles of hiking trails.

If you can take and hold Cades Cove you are set. That is about the only way I can think of to make that area work.

[mikelowrey]

All events have/are/will start and stop.....on the local level.....

Before making cross-country plans....with a vehicle that you would like to get.... I would suggest starting your plans with your currently owned vehicle, find the range of it, then start exploring all sources of non-mechanically assisted , fresh water within range of 1/2 tank of gas. The best case is to find a magnitude 1 hydroshhere, and lots of nearby wood for fuel. It can be an interesting Sunday drive if you like, and you might be surprised at what local resorces there are.. Once you do this, it will be a starting point to build from...instead of no plans of going somewhere with something somehow. Non-specificity and lack of explicicity is usually folllowed by terminal stupidity, which, IMHRO,is a very, very bad thing....

Cheers,
gb

Good point here, I was just watching the "Doomsday Preppers" and this guy just went from MA to Upstate NY in a RV with few things with him because his main plan was to bug out of state ASAP finding himself in his brand new 50 acres property with nothing except water. Looking locally for resources is a good start. I am new just as you, and one thing I do is I carry a little notepad and pen, and always take notes of things I need and things I could get around here for future prepping, is a way of not forgetting the essential if anything.

Good luck brother