Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeo80
I hope that you and yours are ok!
Longest I have ever dealt with no electricity was three days. Thank God it was in the middle of Winter, and a nasty snow/ice storm. Did not have to worry about food spoilage. Had plenty of wood for the fire place. Other wise, it was get down, stay down, stay warm, watch over wife and kids.
My $0.02
Mike
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In December 1977, just before Christmas, we got hit with an ICE storm in NoDak. The storm took down over 17 MILES of power poles in our area alone. We lived at the END of the grid. We got power back in late January, about three weeks without power in winter in NoDak. We were lucky however, as the temps never dropped below 20 degrees and light winds.. We just added cloths, used a Franklin fireplace to heat the living room, already had propane cook stove, and dug out lamps and Coleman lantern. Played lots of cards and board games by lantern, went to bed early.
The worst part was the water for the cattle. No electric ment putting the pumpjack back in operation on the old well for the first day. Do you realize how much water 120 stock cows need each day? Our neighbor had a portable generator he put in the back of the pickup and came over so we watered cattle twice a day while we sat in the house and played cards LOL.
Sure beat pumping 1200 gallons by hand.
We also carried winter survival gear in the cars from Oct to May.. heavy comforters, extra cloths such as Carhart insulated coveralls and snowpac boots, gloves, and watch cap. Also had a #10 can with a 1/2 gallon or so bottle of ethanol, a roll of TP, box of strike-any-where matches (which are nigh impossible to find today in the 'not safe to breath' world), a pie tin, and mesh grill.. this was the heater/stove. There was also a food pack and a couple of pint sized tin cups. I only came close to needing the use once in MARCH of '66 when we had a four day blizzard I headed home in. Six hours to make 30 miles, and lucky to make it.. boy did I get a lecture on THAT one.
Today I carry a food pack, six liters of water, two knives (6" Sheath knive with whet stone in sheath and Victronix Ranger model that is ALWAYS with me) axe, cooking utensils (minimal), ripstop poncho and LINER (whoopie blanket) , cordage, extra socks, walking boots (cowboy boots or gummies are NOT made for walking) maps, binoculars, compass, first aid kit (small with larger one in the vehicle too) fire starting kit (magnesium block with flint and steel and wad of dryer lint tinder), small sewing/repair kit (needles, pins, etc), small tool kit in car has basic tools.... Most items kept in a LARGE canvas purse.. yes a purse that is lined with plastic and is 'water resistant' if not water proof. Got it at a sale long ago, in a neutral beige. Carries well as a haversack. I'm looking for a couple more to add. IF I'm going too far from the casa, I throw the medium ruck in the vehicle with change of cloths, bed roll, etc. Winter calls for added items of course.