Hi Everyone!

Hi Julie and Wayne,

Nice to hear from you! In answer to some of your questions:

I bring my dog with me whenever I go up there and have not had any problems. Bears will generally shy away from humans and dogs, given the opportunity. The only exception is a sow bear with cubs, and they should be given a wide berth and plenty of opportunity to move away safely. The best way to keep bears away from dwellings is to make sure that there are no food sources to bring them in. This means that bird feeders should be taken down in the summer and compost piles should not be next to dwellings. Solar powered electric fence can be used to keep them from bee hives or other vulnerable structures.

There are copperheads and timber rattlers in the area. Snakes do not hunt dogs, so any bite would be a defensive action from the snake. Removal of brush piles and thickets of low vegetation from the main areas of activity in your yard will discourage the presence of snakes there.

I antipate that livestock areas will be well marked and also made known to our neighbors in the area. I do not believe that there are a lot of outsiders coming in to hunt the area, and the local folks will have the same respect for our property that they expect for their own. Unless a property is posted, it is permissable to enter it for hunting. You will find some good hunting companions when you move in, I am sure.

Regard,

Kat

Hi Everyone,
I am Carmelo Colon, and I just joined the Forum. My wife Joanne, and my three children, age 15, 13, and 11, we are looking forward to be part of this project. I am still trying to figure out how to begin. I live in New York City and my plans are to visit the land as soon as I can to see what I need to do. I am sure that all of you are part of the project for the same reason that I am, so I am sure you are very concern for the economic and social situation of our country and the world. I believe that this project is an incredible opportunity for all of us to work together and do something that will increase our opportunities of surviving a crisis with dignity and hope. I look forward to meeting all of you.

Regards
Carmelo and family

Greetings!

First, thank you Kat for answering my questions. It's nice to hear from someone that's already been there. We look forward to meeting you!

Second, welcome Carmelo and Family! Wayne and I started preparing a little over a year ago, by learning survival skills. We have been "lightening our load", and have a year's supply of freeze-dried food to get us through the first year. We have wood working tools, a water purification system, fishing gear, garden tools, seeds, weapons to hunt and protect ourselves with, and lots of knowledge. We wanted to wait until spring to move, as it would be easier to settle, but with the economy the way it is, we're not sure that we can wait that long. We are going to get a tipi, and the size that we are getting will accomodate your size of family.... it's a great temporary shelter, and the cost is resonable. If you're interested in one, here is a website to check out.....

http://www.tipi.com/index.html

One way to get started would be to ask, "What would our ancestors need to live off the land?" Look at your own resources, and figure out how to fill in the gaps.

We are struggling with debt and the pressures of life like everyone else. When the economy comes crshing down, it is a very likely scenario that martial law could be imposed. We could lose our freedom to even create this community. That could be the cost of delay... this concern is motivating our urgency.

Perhaps we should all put a little fire under our heinies, to help make this project come together sooner.

Julie & Wayne