I need to start by talking about St. Matthew’s Island. In the 1940s, reindeer were introduced to St. Matthew’s Island as an emergency food source for the people manning the observation station on the island. There was a lot of lichen on the island, the primary food source of reindeer. The humans didn’t stick around long after world war 2, but researchers did check on the reindeer population from time to time. Initially, they were thriving. Their population increased rapidly, and they were healthy. After some time, they had spread across the island in massive numbers. The lichen was getting thin on the ground. By the 1980s, there were no more reindeer on St. Matthew’s Island. They starved to death after eating everything that could sustain them.

I need to start by talking about St. Matthew’s Island. In the 1940s, reindeer were introduced to St. Matthew’s Island as an emergency food source for the people manning the observation station on the island. There was a lot of lichen on the island, the primary food source of reindeer. The humans didn’t stick around long after world war 2, but researchers did check on the reindeer population from time to time. Initially, they were thriving. Their population increased rapidly, and they were healthy. After some time, they had spread across the island in massive numbers. The lichen was getting thin on the ground. By the 1980s, there were no more reindeer on St. Matthew’s Island. They starved to death after eating everything that could sustain them.

In part 3, I talked a little about some horrifying possibilities, and I pointed out that those are part of the best-case scenario. This story is about how you can recognize that the collapse has started and know that it’s time to take action. It’s not a fun read, and if you are looking for something positive, maybe save this for later.

In part 3, I talked a little about some horrifying possibilities, and I pointed out that those are part of the best-case scenario. This story is about how you can recognize that the collapse has started and know that it’s time to take action. It’s not a fun read, and if you are looking for something positive, maybe save this for later.

This part is all about how to survive. The skills I’m going to list are mostly things that are useful no matter what happens, but a lot of them are also way more useful if things fall apart (things are falling apart right now). I’m not going to go too deep into any of them. I have other stories about some of the specifics, and I’m working on more. Some are skills I have, others aren’t, but I recognize the value in them. I have definitely left off a number of skills that will also be useful, but these are just some starter ideas to think about.

This part is all about how to survive. The skills I’m going to list are mostly things that are useful no matter what happens, but a lot of them are also way more useful if things fall apart (things are falling apart right now). I’m not going to go too deep into any of them. I have other stories about some of the specifics, and I’m working on more. Some are skills I have, others aren’t, but I recognize the value in them. I have definitely left off a number of skills that will also be useful, but these are just some starter ideas to think about.

If we can’t actually create an alternative energy source, what does life look like? What kind of places can we live in? There are a bunch of things we need to keep in mind. First, there are places that will be friendlier to humans in the future and places that will be less friendly, and they aren’t necessarily the same places as the ones we are dealing with at the moment. Second, we will be working with less energy, so we have to make an effort to fit in better with the environment, which is going to be changing pretty fast.

If we can’t actually create an alternative energy source, what does life look like? What kind of places can we live in? There are a bunch of things we need to keep in mind. First, there are places that will be friendlier to humans in the future and places that will be less friendly, and they aren’t necessarily the same places as the ones we are dealing with at the moment. Second, we will be working with less energy, so we have to make an effort to fit in better with the environment, which is going to be changing pretty fast.

This is about peak oil, and what led us to it, and what will take the place of oil as we run lower and lower. Technology and Progress Let’s start with technology and why we use it. It’s to take the place of human labour, to allow us to achieve more while working less. Sometimes it’s a very simple tradeoff. A lever, for example. That allows us to be stronger, or rather to exert more force on an object than we could with our muscles alone.

This is about peak oil, and what led us to it, and what will take the place of oil as we run lower and lower. Technology and Progress Let’s start with technology and why we use it. It’s to take the place of human labour, to allow us to achieve more while working less. Sometimes it’s a very simple tradeoff. A lever, for example. That allows us to be stronger, or rather to exert more force on an object than we could with our muscles alone.

Excitement may start your homesteading journey — but systems sustain it. Many beginners plant everything at once, buy too much equipment, and feel overwhelmed within months. The key to long-term backyard homesteading isn’t doing more — it’s building simple, repeatable systems. A tomato plant is a project. A compost–garden–kitchen cycle is a system. When you grow what you actually eat, preserve the surplus, and compost the scraps to feed next season’s soil, your efforts begin to connect. Nothing wasted. Nothing random. Sustainable living at home becomes easier when your homestead runs on rhythm instead of impulse. You don’t need more land. You need intentional systems that work season after season.

Beautiful sunst ather a long hot day in ay. Look at all the orange colors in the sky these like this make you step back and enjoy the small things in life.

Just sitting there thinking your existence isn’t helpful to what’s going on in the world is normal. Think more so on your morals and see where your head lies, that’s all you can do. Living is normal, stepping out of your world to see what’s around is truthful. A lot of people choose one. Truth or your own reality.

I guess I’m doing a rule of three thing right now. I did shelter last week; now I’m tackling water. It wasn’t really intentional, but I was inspired to do this piece today, so I’m going with it. You need water. You can survive around three days without it (technically hydration, in my day to day life I get most of my hydration from coffee), but after a day or so you are not going to be a happy camper. I’m going to go over some of the ways you can make water safe to drink.

Once upon a time, I was homeless. It’s not exactly a secret. Hell, I have a publication about it. The thing that isn’t clear is the effect it has, long term. See, that once upon a time still sits on my soul, still wakes me up sometimes.

February Field Notes: Tracing the Missing in America’s Parks At GeoFields, we believe every trail tells a story — and some stories are still unfinished. This year, we’ve launched an ongoing project to create the most detailed, publicly accessible record of all missing persons cases in America’s national and state parks. It’s a living archive meant to raise awareness, preserve memory, and, where possible, help bring answers to those still searching. These cases are stark reminders that even the most prepared can be caught off guard by nature’s unpredictability. As we continue to expand our missing persons database, we invite you to share stories, photographs, and memories. Together, we can honor those who’ve vanished and help ensure future adventurers return home.

In the PNW it’s really easy to get seasonal depressive disorder. Especially if you’re like me and lived your whole adulthood in the southwest.!

Have you ever stopped in your tracks for a pink sky? It feels like a gift. A quiet moment of magic. The world softens. The usual blue expanse transforms. It becomes a canvas of peach, rose, and coral.

Look up. That vast, serene blue is a daily miracle. It feels constant and quiet. But it is a vibrant story of light playing with air. The blue sky is sunlight’s secret dance.

It’s kind of the old “chicken and egg” saying, just about why instead of how. Most of the things I right are a bit more serious I think. This was just fun to write, and I enjoy the concept. Hope you do too.