It would be interesting to study the "success" of various y2k retreats. I will keep a journal of my particular circumstances and I hope it goes like this. No one in the Valley was greatly affected by the power outages. We have had surges in the past which resulted in loss of power, but since most heat with wood anyway all were able to stay warm and cook food. There was no shortage of food since we produce more than we can eat and most everyone always had a cache. Grocery stores are an hour away. Gasoline got short in supply, but we had no where to go anyway. The local ham operator kept us informed of the world situation and many of us could not believe the extent of the damage. We have come through this okay in this valley. I siphoned the gas from my truck to feed the chain-saw. There were lots of fish to catch since only the locals were fishing. Those non-hybrid seeds have ensured future crops. Most surprising was the fact that there wasn't much need for money. Food was traded for almost anything you needed. Toilet paper became a thing of the past. We had lots of water and kept ourselves clean. I wish I had bought that black poly piping to help with the hot water, but I just couldn't think of everything. At least the kids came home for the xmas holidays since the Universities shut down a week later. I wish I had brought more books to the cabin, but we have been sharing what we have in the community. We did a lot more together in the community. Canning bees, etc. For next years gardens, we have decided to each specialize in specific vegetables and share together. Thank God that someone had the foresight to keep the old artesian connection in place when the new well was drilled back in the seventies. After the power failed, we had to rely on the generator to pump the water, but by March, we couldn't spare the fuel. I don't know why we didn't open the valve for the artesian system sooner, but no one expected the power to be out for so long, after all, our power utility had advised us that all systems were y2k compliant. Something to do with the N.A. power grid. By June 00, power was stabilized, but we continued with the artesian system because we were in control of it. All in all, the valley fared pretty well. I wish I could say the same for my home in the City. Thankfully the winter back there was very cold and Operation Abacus prevented wide spread looting. I still cannot accept how many of my friends are gone.

-- Rick Reilly (rreilly@home.com), August 13, 1999

Answers

Rick,

Why would you be canning bees ??

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), August 19, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Were they meat bees?

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), October 08, 1999.

I think he means "canning b's" like "quilting b's"...where a lot of people get together to help with the same job....???Or maybe you can them to preserve their fat little thighs, just after they load them up with pollen.??

-- Margo (margos@bigisland.com), October 08, 1999.