Riverwalker's Pics - Mountain Refreshment Center

Got thirst?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Raising Poultry - The Benefits

Raising your own poultry does take a good deal of work but with a little persistance you can reap the benefits for you and your family. Yes, they have to be fed and watered and you need a coop to keep them in and a nesting box or two or three stuffed with some fresh hay. But afterwards, you will have one of the most reliable resources for a number of needed items. Raising poultry is a good start to being self reliant.

You will soon start to have plenty of eggs to eat which are also a good source of protein. There will be chicken manure that can be used as a fertilizer and fresh meat available for the pot or frying pan. Raising chickens is a winning proposition. You may even get in a little target practice on any critters trying to get at your chickens if you live in the country.

Got brown eggs?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Survival Super Foods - The Onion

Throughout our history the onion has been a very important part of our diet. From soups to stews and on sandwiches or in salads, nothing quite matches up to the onion. They can be pickled, boiled, fried, baked or simply eaten raw. Because it is suitable to eat raw, the cancer preventing antioxidant properties of the onion are particularly potent. They also come in a wide variety of types with different colors and flavors.

You can get white onions, yellow onions, brown onions or red onions. You can even get onions that are sweet or shallots for a little more variety. Onions can be dehydrated and even come in a powder form. Red onions also have a higher antioxidant content than brown onions and therefore have greater health benefits.

Onions do have a couple of drawbacks but they don’t impair their worth as a super food. If eaten raw they can leave you with bad breath and when chopping or slicing onions they can make your eyes water. So if you eat a lot of onions, you will need to brush your teeth or pop a mint in your mouth. Otherwise, you may wind up with a few less friends. To keep your eyes from watering just put a little white vinegar on your cutting board when slicing or chopping onions.

Ian Marber, author, broadcaster and health journalist comments:

"The term superfood tends to be applied to nearly everything these days, but the humble onion does offer far more benefits than most vegetables owing to its potent antioxidant and probiotic effects."

Onions…gotta love ‘em!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Starting the Move

Well, I've started the move into my new office. I probably won't be spending much time in there but at least it has a window that has a view of the outside world. My old workspace had several windows but none of them afforded a view of the outside world. The good thing is that I will have a lot more freedom to roam around at work and won't be stuck in the same place all the time.

I had to take a few mandatory days off as I had accummulated too much time and they've gone by pretty fast but it's time to get back to the "daily grind" now. Hopefully, everyone has enjoyed the pictures I've posted in the mean time.

*edit* A portion of this post has been removed by the author.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - A Mountain Trip in Pictures

Just follow the mountain road.

Through the mountain trees.

Along the mountain side.

And as you go by the mountain bluff.

You stop to enjoy the falls on a mountain stream.

And see the mountain rocks.

And the cool mountain water.

And a quiet mountain stream winding its way downhill.

You stop to enjoy the beauty of the mountain berries.

And realize you've finally reached your mountain cabin.

And as the moon comes up over your mountain cabin.

Spend the night by a cozy mountain fireplace.

And when it's time to go, leave nothing but shadows behind and take only memories with you.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Gone Fishin' - Part 3

Small Bass

Bigger Bass

Larger Bass

Got your bass covered?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Gone Fishin' - Part 2

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Gone Fishin'

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Real Life Survival - Time Management

While I enjoy writing posts for the benefit of my readers, it is also unfortunate that I still have to work for a living. I have a problem in that I like to eat and this requires me to still work for a living. Due to a recent promotion at work, I am having to reorganize my work schedules for my two other part-time jobs that I work on a regular basis.

I have several other posts under construction but still need to do a little more research to make them both informative and timely before posting them. Hopefully, my readers will bear with me while I do a little time management and get things organized to make the best and most efficient use of my time for the benefit of all concerned.

The other problem I have is the need to take a little R & R to recover from a lengthy interview process which I recently went through to get the promotion, as well as do some preparation for assuming some extensive new responsibilities at my main place of work.

Thank You!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Mountain Meadow

Mountain meadows are amazing!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bartering for Bullets

While many times a bartering agreement may be beneficial for both parties involved in the trade, there are times when you may want to reconsider your options. In a survival situation or a crisis, sometimes you’re better off passing on the deal than risking a shortfall in what may wind up as an item in limited supply virtually overnight. You should always make sure you can maintain a positive position in any type of barter or trade arrangement you may be involved in or seeking to complete.

One such example is bartering for bullets. With limited availability of certain types of ammunition, you would probably want to be on the receiving end of the deal. Getting ammunition in trade for some other item of value should be a positive trade on your behalf. You should consider a couple of factors before finalizing the deal in any type of barter or trade you wish to make.

During a crisis or an emergency situation the value of certain items will increase exponentially at a rapid pace. Water, food, fuel, temporary shelter, just to name a few, can all skyrocket in value literally overnight during a crisis. Thus, you should have a sufficient quantity of an item so that its disappearance in a trade will not leave you with a possible near term shortage. You may be increasing your problems rather than eliminating them.

You should also take care to never reveal that you may have an abundance of an item so as to protect what you do have from someone that may have ill intentions which could arise at a later time when you may be least prepared to deal with the situation.

Always treat any item you are trading as if it’s the best one in the world and you’ve only got one left and that you will never get another one. In many survival situations this will wind up being the rule rather than the exception.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Shady Mountain Stream

Need a nice shady spot to rest?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Frugal Prepping - Developing Your Resources

Smoker Barrels

One of the best ways to save money when you are prepping is to look for sources of items that you can use for your own purposes or as a trade item. When I got into using a smoker barrel, one of the first things I needed was a decent food grade barrel. But where to get one without having to pay the high price for a new one? It turns out that a source I located is finally paying off big time.

When I was checking around about where to find a good barrel to use for my smoker barrel (they're really efficient on fuel versus cooking time), a friend said it would be no problem for him to get me one. That was news to my ears and I told him that would be great if he could get me one.

Now I've loaned this friend ladders, hand trucks, and other items and helped him on a few small jobs and other things that he needed done and had never charged him. He thought it was time to return the favor. The other day he dropped off four additional barrels and even brought a pallett for me to put them on. Wow!

Now I have one that RW, Jr. can use to store chicken feed in, a barrel to build him a smoker to use out at the farm, a barrel to build another smoker for my farm and another barrel to store extra dog food. The best part is that he said he would bring me some additional barrels in a few weeks. He said they go through them regularly and usually just throw them away. I told him that I'd recycle as many as he could get me. I've got a ton of things they can be used for around the farm.

As a result, it looks like helping a friend has paid off unexpectedly and will probably continue to do so. I sure needed the extra barrels because I traded the one I was going to use to build a smoker for RW, Jr. for some ammo.

Bartering barrels for bullets! I just couldn't resist the trade.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Mountain Pool

It's deeper than it looks!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Thoughts on Self Reliance

Self reliance is being able to change a flat tire on your vehicle without a jack.

Riverwalker

Types of Knives - The Seatbelt Cutter

There are numerous types of knives for a wide variety of uses that fall into the specialty category. There is probably no single tool that has done more for man’s survival than the knife. Having the right knife for the job can be an important factor in your survival. With the large amount of time that people spend in vehicles due to commutes to work, hauling supplies or even a simple trip down the road to visit friends or relatives, our chances of being involved in an accident at some point in time are increased. A seat belt cutter may be an item you may want to consider keeping handy in your vehicle.

Seat belt cutters are designed for one simple thing; to cut seat belts. Many times you can become trapped in a vehicle by your seatbelt. Seatbelts are very tough and most have Kevlar woven into the fabric to give them exceptional strength and holding power. This also makes them extremely difficult to cut. It is those times when an inordinate amount of weight pressing against a seatbelt makes them almost impossible to unlatch. This is the time when having access to a good seatbelt cutter may be crucial to your survival.

Seatbelt cutters come in a wide variety of styles and prices to fit most any budget. Most have thin, flat ultra-sharp hooked blades that allow them to be inserted between a person’s body and the seatbelt without risk of cutting the person trapped in the seatbelt but allowing the seatbelt to be cut quickly and efficiently. Even a simple accident where a person may simply have suffered a fractured arm or leg may incapacitate you to the point where you may be unable to release the tension on a seatbelt due to the inability to shift or move your body.

A good seatbelt cutter with their ultra-sharp blade is also designed to handle the tougher fabric construction of seatbelts. The seatbelt cutter pictured above is an EMS quality seatbelt cutter.

Seatbelts are an essential item for your survival when in a vehicle and have saved many lives and reduced the number of critical injuries people have suffered when in an accident. Don't forget to buckle up!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Mountain Meadow Stream

Been on the banks of a mountain stream lately?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Mountain Stream

Got clear mountain stream?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Simple Food Safety at Canadian Preppers Network

I have a special guest post on the Canadian Preppers Network. The article deals with some simple food safety tips that can be of benefit to everyone. Here is a short excerpt from the article:

"Food safety is just as important when preparing meals as it is when your food items are being stored. Following a few simple steps on a regular basis will keep you and your family from suffering the effects of eating improperly prepared food items. Make sure your meals are not only satisfying but safe as well!"

You can read the entire post here: Simple Food Safety for Survival.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Big Birds for Big Eggs

Need bigger eggs? Get a bigger bird!

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Alternate Transportation

Going somewhere?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Home Survival - Part Two - Kitchen Tool Safety

Knives are the major tool found in any kitchen. From small paring knifes to large carving knives, there are a wide range of knives found in every kitchen. Knives which are dull can cause more accidents and be more dangerous than a sharp knife. Dull knives can slip and cause serious bodily injury if you experience difficulty when cutting and chopping food items. One small slip with a dull knife can do serious damage to your fingers or hands. Many kitchen accidents are knife related but can be avoided by following some simple rules. Here are a few simple tips for kitchen knife safety while working in the kitchen.

Knife Safety in the Kitchen

1. Always keep your kitchen blades properly sharpened.

2. Always make sure you use the right knife for the job.

3. Always keep the knife blade angled away from your body when in use.

4. Always hold the knife by the handle. Never hold a knife by the blade when cutting.

5. Always use a proper cutting surface when using knives in the kitchen. A good cutting board used properly will help to prevent many accidents.

6. Always hand wash and dry all of your kitchen knives separately. Never leave knifes in a sink full of soapy dishwater where they can’t be seen.

7. Always store your knives properly when not in use and separately from other kitchen tools.

8. Always remain alert when using a knife so that you can avoid a serious injury. Pay attention to what you are doing.

9. Never try to catch a knife which has fallen or been dropped. It’s a lot safer to pick up once it has come to a rest.

10. Always use care when using other kitchen tools that can also cause serious injury. Potato peelers, ice picks, and kitchen shears or scissors can all cause serious injuries if used improperly.

You can read Part One here: Home Survival - Part One - Kitchen Safety

Using a little common sense and following a few basic safety rules will help you avoid a needless accident in your kitchen.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Walking the San Marcos

Done any river walking lately?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Frugal Prepping - Reusing Waste Motor Oil

It is always best to recycle your waste motor oil to avoid polluting our rivers and lakes. It is also against the law to dispose of improperly. But did you know that you can save your waste motor oil for your own use. Simply put the used motor oil back in the original container and mark it used motor oil. Then you will have some readily available for use when needed. You may want to filter it through an old tea strainer to make sure there are no large particles but otherwise it should be ready for re-use.

There are several good uses for used motor oil that work great.

First; it can be used as a substitute for bar and chain oil in your chainsaw (DON'T use it as a fuel additive).

Second; it can be put in a squirt can and used to oil hinges, latches, etc.

Third; keep a couple of old rags handy and use them to apply a coat of oil to your shovels and other garden tools to help prevent damage from rust (make sure you wash the dirt off first).

You can save some money and the environment at the same time.

Special Note: Make sure that any used motor oil you don't use is properly re-cycled according to your federal, state and local laws.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - It's My Turn

Sometimes a little competition is a good thing.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Summer Survival - Bats in Texas

There are many creatures that you can run into in the summer. Some are more dangerous than others that you may encounter. In my area of Texas, we have a LOT of bats. Quite often at night, when standing near the light of an outside security light they will come swooping down to feast on the bugs attracted to the light. Thankfully, they have a pretty good sonar system and usually will avoid a collision with you. The main danger from most bats is that they sometimes have rabies and this can be a serious hazard, especially to younger children who may be unaware of the danger from handling bats they may find that have fallen ill and are dying or dead.

This is a picture of a bat that had died which I found in a Crape Myrtle tree in my yard. It was only about 3 feet off the ground and well within reach of many youngsters. They are quite small and this particular one, a Mexican Free-tailed bat, had a wingspan of approximately 10 inches. They consume large amounts of insects which help to keep the insect population under control. Many people build bat houses to attract them since they are a natural predator of mosquitoes and will consume large quantities of mosquitoes when feeding at night.

Using your powers of observation will allow you to find these hazards before a young child can. Children are always curious and quite often see things before you do. Their little brains soak up everything they see and sometimes their curiosity will get them in trouble. Although this bat was dead when I found it, many times they may still be alive and can pose a potential hazard. You should always exercise a proper amount of caution and a great amount of care when dealing with wild creatures, whether they are alive or dead.

You can learn more about the different types of bats in Texas here:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/webcasts/caves/battypes.phtml

Got bats?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Personal Protection Rounds - 9mm Stopping Power

My recent acquisition of A Taurus PT-111 pistol as an additional means of personal protection has required me to do a little research on what would be a good personal protection round for this pistol. Since it has been quite a few years since I've owned a 9mm semi-auto pistol, I sought the advice of friends and relatives in this regard.

A friend and current co-worker who is a former LEO recommended the Federal 147 gr Hydra-Shok round for personal protection. Basically, it was the round he and many of his fellow officers carried in their 9mm pistols as active law enforcement officers. It is also fairly available due to it being used in my local area and can usually be obtained fairly easily, even with the current tendency of short supplies.

For those of you looking for a good source of ammo, this website seems to have plenty available:

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php/cName/9mm-hollow-point-ammo

There is still a lot of differences of opinion on the best 9mm round to carry in your 9mm pistol for personal protection. It seems to be mostly a matter of light and fast versus heavy and slow. With a little practice I'll probably be able to tell if it will be a good round for my use. These particular 9mm rounds are about twice as expensive as regular target rounds which will make practicing with these rounds a little more costly.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker’s Food Storage Recipe - Rice Rolls

Many times it is difficult to find simple recipes that allow you to use the various food items in your food storage. Here is a quick and simple recipe that allows you to use a number of food storage items to make a healthy snack or side dish that can be served with almost any meal.

Rice Rolls Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Cup of Rice

1 Pint of Water

1 Pint of Milk (you can use powdered milk)

2 Teaspoons of Butter

2 Teaspoons of Lemon Juice

2 Teaspoons of Sugar

2 Eggs (uncooked)

Instructions:

Cook rice as normal in water and milk. When done, remove from burner. Thoroughly mix butter, lemon juice, sugar and eggs into rice mixture.

Form mixture into finger-size rolls or small patties. Dip rolls or patties in egg wash (additional eggs required) and then coat with cornbread.

Fry coated rolls or patties in butter till golden brown. Serve hot as a side with any meal or by themselves as a snack.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Pics - Driftwood

Driftwood

Survival Kit Essentials - Maps

Every survival kit should contain maps. Even though you may be familiar with your own area, there is a possibility of having to make detours because of traffic congestion, an accident, road construction or there may be roads which have become impassable due to weather conditions.

The first map you should have is a current state map. This will insure that you can find a suitable route in case you are forced to evacuate due to a hurricane, flooding or other natural or man-made disaster. This will allow you to alter your route if it becomes necessary.

The second map you should have is a good county map. If you need to take a detour, having a good county map may save you valuable travel time by affording you the option to take a road less traveled. You should also obtain county maps for any areas you may be traveling through on your way to your designated bug-out location.

The third type of map you should have is a good city map for your area. if you live in a large urban area, it is virtually impossible to remember all the possible routes you may use in order to leave town in a safe and timely manner. Many times you can get a combination map that includes both a city map and a county map.

You can often get a free state map from your Parks and Wildlife Department for your state. Many local chambers of commerce and public libraries often have free city and county maps available just for the asking.

No matter how familiar you may be with your area there is always the possibility of the stress caused by a disaster or emergency situation that may make it harder for you to remember all the different shortcuts you may be familiar with and a good set of maps will help to eliminate any confusion or problems.

Get a free Texas map here: http://www.traveltex.com/travelguide/order.aspx

Got maps?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Busy as a Beaver

Thanks to everyone for their response on the free spreadsheet. Hopefully, I can get everyone a copy that requests it in a timely manner. Several hundred e-mails will keep you pretty busy. For those who haven't received their copy yet, have a little patience and I will get it to you.

Hopefully, I will have another post later today.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Preserving Shallots - Keeping Greens Fresh

There are many types of raw food items that store well if given a little drink of water. It is a great method for preserving parsley but works well with other types of greens. Florists have used this trick for years to preserve fresh flowers and it works quite well. Here is but one more example of prolonging the shelf life of your fresh food items.

Mrs. RW and myself both like shallots, especially on a fresh garden salad. To keep the shallots fresher and thereby maintain their nutrient values to the utmost extent possible, we use the same method when preserving shallots as we do with parsley.

Simply place them in a glass container with a small amount of water and wrap lightly with some plastic wrap to help retard the effects of dehydration. This keeps your shallots fresh and tasty. This is a simple but effective way to preserve the freshness and the quality of fresh food items, especially greens. Fresh always tastes better and is actually better for your health.

Keeping it fresh?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Stealth Survival Food Inventory Report - Free Food Storage Inventory Spreadsheet

One of the main problems of food storage is keeping track of your food inventory. Proper rotation will help to eliminate waste from food items that may go bad as a result. In order to assist others out there, I would like to make a food inventory report spreadsheet available to anyone out there who may need assistance in keeping track of their food storage.

This is a very simple Excel spreadsheet that allows you to keep track of over 100 food items and print out reports for quantities on hand and amounts needed to replenish your food inventory when necessary. Got more than a hundred food items? Simply make an additional copy. This is not a complicated spreadsheet but you will need to know the basics of using Microsoft Excel. There are three worksheets in this spreadsheet and most if not all of the entries can be made to the first worksheet. Values are automatically calculated from the first worksheet’s values.

If you think this type of spreadsheet may be of value to you, please respond in the comment section with an e-mail link and I will send you a copy. This copy is totally FREE. The file size is 58kb. This makes it easy to send by e-mail and suitable for back-up to a small USB drive. I will supply you with a password allowing you to use this spreadsheet.

I will initially limit this to the first 50 people to respond. I get a huge volume of e-mail each day and need to impose this limit in order that I may respond in a timely manner to those requesting a copy. Once I have responded to the first fifty requesting this spreadsheet, I will send additional copies to people as I am able to do so. You may freely disseminate this copy to anyone you wish if you find it helpful. I realize that everyone’s level of computer literacy is different and this spreadsheet may not be for everyone. Hopefully, you will have someone in the family who is and can help you in this regard. It largely depends on your skill level.

Special Note: I will make a copy available to any prepper networks out there who think their members may benefit from the use of this FREE spreadsheet.

Hopefully, this may help you be better prepared in your food storage efforts. I have been using this simple spreadsheet for inventory purposes for quite a number of years. I made up this spreadsheet program due to the fact that there were no cost effective programs out there for use that weren’t very expensive. It is a simple worksheet designed by me to keep track of inventory. I can make no guarantees that it will be useful for you and cannot offer tutoring services for those people unfamiliar with using Microsoft Excel.

If you would like to try this spreadsheet and see if it can work for you please respond in the comments section with an e-mail link. My only request is that you respond with comments…good or bad.

I prefer plain and simple to fancy and complicated programs. Thanks!

*edit*

Please let me know when you receive your copy. Your comments and email will be deleted after 24 hours or once I have sent you a copy. This is in order to cut down on any spam being directed to your email. I know only too well how much spam you can get with a posted email. Thanks. RW

You can e-mail a request for the spreadsheet here: riverwalker_texas@yahoo.com

Riverwalker

Pistol Shooters Correctional Information

Many people don't have the time or money for the additional training to become proficient with their pistols. Practice and more practice is required. Being able to determine what you are doing right and what you are doing wrong is an essential part of becoming more proficient. While there is no real substitute for quality training in the use of your pistol, here are a few links you may find helpful in your efforts to improve your accuracy.

Pistol Shooters Correctional Information

Common Shooting Errors (75.2 kb)

Pistol Group Analysis (52.2 kb)

Shooter Fault Terms and Definitions (9.11 kb)

All of the above files are in PDF format.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Studying Nature for Survival - The Woodpecker and Natural Shelter

Sometimes learning how to survive can be as simple as studying nature. Many of the creatures that co-exist with us can show you the way. Many times it is so obvious that we fail to observe the little things that they do and in this we are failing to learn some of the simple but often harsh lessons, if ignored, that nature can teach us.

One example of such an activity is the nesting habits of woodpeckers. Pictured above is a tree cavity where a nesting pair of red-headed woodpeckers live in my yard. I tried to get a picture of the actual woodpecker but I don’t think he was “home” at the time, although he does stick his head out on occasion.

They take advantage of natural cavities in trees to make their homes. They do have to do a little work to make it useable but know it will be worth the effort. They know it affords protection from the heat, the cold, the wind and the rain. If you don’t have a tent or a tarp handy, you’d better be prepared to find natural forms of shelter that are often readily available in nature or be able to utilize natural materials that are available to make one.

Take a little time to observe nature’s creatures and they can show you simple ways to survive.

Got bushcraft?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker