As I was reading the latest diaries this evening, my wife was watching "Doomsday Preppers". I believe it's a Discovery channel show. As I heard the rational of each person on this reality show, I was reminded of a personal "doomsday" scenario that I survived some years ago. Hearing the plans that these people have should civilization fall, I hope to be on ground zero when the bombs fall. More below the Kos-Swha.
I married my wife a month after I was discharged from the Navy, she decided to join the Army a year later. I supported her and decided to take some time to just wander around the country and see what I could before kids and home became the guiding influences.
I gave everything away, bought a Datsun 210 wagon for $300, modified it to be a traveling home base, and hit the road to see some country. I had a canoe that I picked up for a steal, but had to remake the gunnels as they were rotted out. (this would be my downfall).
I traveled to Northern Ontario and found a river that ran to Hudson Bay. I decided that it would be a great trip. I met a local that spoke broken English, who offered to store my car behind his barn. I tried to call family to let them know what I was doing, and couldn't get through, (no cell phones, or voice mail then).
I set out after buying supplies, and spent two weeks going "downstream" towards the north. I was running in the fall current, so it was swift. I estimated later that I made it about 200 miles upriver before the disaster. I was portaging over the rapids I came upon until I decided to ride a set that looked fairly calm.
I hit a drop of about ten feet, and smashed my bow into a submerged log, (it was an old timber river). The bow of my canoe shattered. I made it to shore fairly quickly, but lost all of my gear. I walked upriver for two days to find what I could.
I found my sleeping bag, My tin of tobacco, and a bag containing oatmeal and a bag of Rollos. The oatmeal was a Canadian substitute for Wheatena, if you have ever had that. Rollos are chocolate covered caramel. Those were my doomsday preparation. I ate them when I couldn't kill something else to eat.
I spent more than a month walking back. I met bears, moose, and hallucinations during that trip. That was my doomsday preparation. I did what I needed to do when it happened.
I've not eaten Rollo's or wheatena since that experience. but I know I could probably survive.
Millrat