I always have an escape contingency in mind, but there are only a few situations where I would want to run: toxic spill (which would hopefully be temporary) and a large-scale fire/firestorm.

I have a Ford Ranger with two gas tanks and a camper shell (canopy). The gas would get me about 400 miles. I have friends about 300 miles away, if I had to leave this area.

But for most situations likely to come up around here, escape would not be advisable, or maybe even possible. It's really hard to take off with enough supplies for TEOTWAWKI conditions. And like it or not, there isn't likely to be any place out in the "wilderness" that other people wouldn't have already staked out as theirs. Even if it really is yours. If it's a widespread kind of disaster, you might want to be realistic and not try to depend on local game, because there won't be any. The population density of America has changed considerably from the 1800's.

Ironraven, a friend of mine says she likes to be "mature" in her thinking. When it comes to relatives that I don't like, I run closer to John Steinbeck's way of thinking: "If I were hungry, I would happily hunt anything that runs or crawls or flies, even relatives, and tear them down with my teeth." (John Steinbeck, Travels With Charley)

<img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Sue

I?ve arranged two bugout places as our city is divided west to east by a wide stream. One shelter is in the north-east and one is in the south of the city (My office is in the eastern outskirts. My wifes favorite weekend recreational area is in the southern outskirts (river has to be crossed)). So it doesn?t matter where we are, we can reach one of our bugout places without crossing the river.

Both are approx. 80 kilometers from our house in the city.

I?ve to commute to the office by car. My wife sometimes works honorary at out local animal shelter and commutes to it by public transportation (New experience to her!) <img src="/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

We own bicycles and big wheeled motor-scooters (located at our city house) which can be used do get through the gridlock.
An additional bicycle is stocked inside my office-bug-out-"kit".

I?ve considered our bugout places "safe" because:
- they are at least 25m above sea level (the city?s located near the sea)
- located in rual/woodland enviroment with only a few residents
- have a small cabin
- ... and a hidden underground shelter
- afford a well of fossil water (avoid contamination)
- ... and a pound (one is a half hekta and the is a bit over one hekta in size)
- provide several hekta of own property (hunting, wood gathering, farming...)

... decadent? maybe ... <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Molf
- omnia mea mecum porto -

"...who's plan is to load the RV and go until they get to a good spot and park it."

Fortunately I don't live in hurricane or tornado country and that is exactly my plan should I need to bugout. I have a 19' trailer loaded with 2 weeks of food, water, and gear, and thousands of empty square miles in all directions. If the trailer gets stuck or breaks down, or I need to leave the road, I can always drop the trailer and proceed in my truck or on ATV's.

"I run closer to John Steinbeck's way of thinking: "If I were hungry, I would happily hunt anything that runs or crawls or flies, even relatives, and tear them down with my teeth." (John Steinbeck, Travels With Charley) "


Remind me not to bug out with Susan, unless I take along a slow friend.... hehe

*ties joel's hamstrings together*

I'll admit it, I have a distinctive gimp. So I cheat. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Welcome back. Thanks for your good threads and thoughts, both on and off the forum.

I'm in a tough spot as far as bugging out goes, but I have given it thought. I'm in Chicago on the north side, but my best retreat location is with family in rural southern Indiana. Chances are good that in many cases, heading immediately south would be an impossibility. I'd probably have to head west or northwest initially, then work my way south and back east. It would not be pretty, as I have small kids, so sheltering-in-place would be extended as long as possible, but I'd have to preserve enough resources to take with us for what might be a very long journey.

My guess is that if a large-scale disaster were to occur, traffic would flow for about 10 minutes, then every major and semi-major road out of town would be littered with wrecked and stalled cars. I figure unless it's a substantial NBC attack, I'd probably be best served by staying put for an initial period of a couple days then heading out. I'm more prepared than most here and wouldn't be as inclined to panic and run.

To answer your question specifically, I'd be driving a Honda CR-V 4WD (w/ a roofrack and carrier to be added shortly to hold my camping gear). If I had a straight shot, it would be roughly 200 miles, 4.5 hours. If I had to jog west, it could end up being another 50 miles and potentially an additional day or more.