Things I look for when choosing a good Bug Out Location or Homestead.

Hello, my friend and welcome back!  In today’s post, were going to look at just what it takes to locate and construct a viable Bug Out Location.  We all know the basics, but let’s take a closer look, shall we?  This is the subject of today’s post so grab a cup of coffee my friend and have a seat while we visit.

I will be retiring from the University in 328 days, at which time I plan to move to Idaho and purchase a piece of land in what I consider to be the “Safe Zone”  This got me to thinking about just what you need to look for when buying a piece of land and setting up a BOL.

Most of us are aware of the basics, like a good reliable water source and no major roads nearby, but what else will we need to outlast whatever disaster befalls us?  There may even be a few things you might not have thought of as well.

Let’s start with what I will be looking for when I get to Idaho.  Now my children and grandchildren live in the Boise area of the state.  As for me, I just really don’t like large cities and would prefer to be away from them as far as possible and yet still be able to visit my family as much as possible.

Next, I really want a lot of trees on my property for shade and to serve as a windbreak.  Those of you who live in Idaho will know just what I’m talking about.  The next thing I want is hilly ground.  Why on earth would anyone want hilly ground on their piece of land you might wonder?  It’s because it gives you the opportunity to create much better defenses that you will need.

The thing about flat land is that you can see people coming, but they can see you as well.  If the ground is hilly, then you can place your defenses in places where you can see them and yet they cannot see you.  You can use the hills to hide your structures from prying eyes, and that is a really good thing when you’re trying to hide from people.

That’s good concealment in case you need to fight and in the event of SHTF, which is pretty much a given.  Another advantage of a hilly property is the ability to build your home inside of one of the hills.  The ground will insulate it and help keep it at a constant temperature year round and with no Air Conditioning, that will be a huge plus.

Trees provide shade, and in some cases even medicine or food.  Trees are always good to have. If the ground is all hilly, then I can do Terrace gardening like the Aztec Indians did.  It works well and allows you to produce a lot of food in a small area.

I would like to have a nice spring fed area on it as well, preferably a warm spring.  You could always cool and filter it for drinking, and you could also use it to heat your home in the winter as well as providing warm water for bathing year round.

Next thing would be to only be able to access it using two dirt roads on each end of the property.  This way you always have an escape route if you need to leave without being seen.  Personally, I would love to be out away from any road at all, but that is just not practical.  Should something happen I would need to get to the nearest small town for supplies, to trade any excess items that I may have at a farmers market or bartering group.

The grounds will need to be good organic earth preferably with a little volcanic ash in it to make it richer for better growing.  I can always supplement the ground with organic fertilizer, such as compost, to make it richer if needed.  If you’re planning on raising chickens and goats like I am, the hilly area will allow you to build pens where the water will drain away rather than stand.  Animals just like us need a warm dry place to sleep and live.

Now, will I ever find such a place with everything I want and can afford?   I doubt it, but I can always dream…

Well, that is it for today and I hope you enjoy today’s post.  Until next time, stay safe, stay strong and stay prepared. God Bless America!

-Sarge-