Love and kindness are the very basis of society. If we lose these feelings, society will face tremendous difficulties; the survival of humanity will be endangered. – Dalai Lama
I get a kick out of being an outsider constantly. It allows me to be creative. – Bill Hicks
The status quo sucks. – George Carlin
“If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise.” – William Blake
Bug Out Bag and Bicycle – Winter Camping Gear Setup
Dear Survival Journal,
I got a way late start. Was also considering busing to the warming center in Astoria, OR. That’s smart.
Hiking 7 miles ain’t. But I was determined to bog through the uphill swamp: half in the dark. I got turned around at one point where trees fell over the path. I also slipped once, but rehearsed in my head what to do. I threw my 1 gallon water jug, and braced myself. Yup, I carried a heavy water container from Ave. U to The Hiker Cabins on Tillamook Head. My shoulders and arms are torn up. My 110 liter Kelty backpack had to be 70 pounds.
Plus, I was running on a bum sprained ankle…wore a too tight brace…My left shoulder hurt the most. It was so tight. But I had an indica BHO cartridge in my vape pen to finish off. It was charging in my bag on the hike with a portable power bank charger. I brought too much stuff. Like 6 pairs of socks, an umbrella, a dud smoke grenade, and a giant tarp. It’s 11am – dark at 4:25pm. So cold. My hands are numb.
Email Cam The Cuddler and Survival Bros Founder: thesurvivalbros@gmail.com
I love meeting new friends at Terwilliger aka Cougar Hot Spring in Oregon. It’s located in the Willamette National Forest, East of Eugene near the McKenzie River. The cost is now $12 per day pass. You’ll take a moderate walk 1/2 a mile in from the small parking lot, before getting to the meditative area. Accommodations include a covered changing area, and updated self-composting outdoor restrooms. Also, keep in mind this is a day use area only. You could face a fat fine if you’re not leaving the parking lot when darkness falls.
Change temperatures in a shallow creek skirting the cascading blue pools. Cool down, and drink the fresh water from Source. Previously, I dug clay out of the Earth here for facials, but we need to leave this space as it is. Clothing is optional, so come as you are and be respectful, or leave. Guests may want to remain clothed. Don’t ask them why they aren’t naked. This popular recreational area can be very busy during the Summer. Go in the morning, or during the week for more seclusion. Pools are cleaned every Thursday in the AM, so expect closure until late afternoon. Smile, and bring your positive energy. We need more natural people on Earth. Forget you phone, bills, and ex-girlfriend, and soak in the healing waters. I hope to see you there. I will continue to update this post with new pictures, and 4K videos.
Chill out on the North Fork of the McKenzie River with Cam from #SurvivalBros and Papilio Oregonius butterflies. This is the official insect of Oregon State. Filmed near Terwilliger/Cougar Hot Spring, in the Willamette National Forest.
Survival Bros at the McMinnville COOP’s Labyrinth and Gardens. Presented by Parkview Community Center. Here’s the address: 325 NE Burnett Rd McMinnville, OR 97128
A labyrinth is reflective space where you can notice changes in your thinking. Perhaps you can look at a situation, and see it in a new light. Find a labyrinth using this locator website. Tell #SurvivalBros what you think about these amazing works of Art. Combining both the best of Philosophy and Nature.
Cameron McKirdy takes another selfie
A deer eats and apple under a tree in the park
Please comment, like, share, and SUBSCRIBE! Thanks for watching our HD video productions. Have a peaceful day. More on http://www.CameronMcKirdy.com
Survival Bros talks to and films a wild coyote pup by the Pacific Ocean near Seaside, Oregon! What an amazing and playful creature, huh? Share this video with friends, and please be sure to like, comment, and SUBSCBIBE to our channel for more high-definition video productions. Stay tuned for more blogs on traveling and Mother Nature. Hugs.
Survival Bros gets 26 different free samples in his local Costco shopping center on HD video. This total number doesn’t reflect when Cam swooped up multiple trial bites of the same item. You’re allowed to take more than one, as long as it’s on the tray. All of this complementary grub made a full meal, but he is still hungry. Cam didn’t even purchase any stuff, and doesn’t have a Costco membership card. Get access with a Costco Gift Card, then sample up, or buy an inexpensive meal at the food court deli.
Try going at the end of the day for extra samples. They are trying to get rid of the products before closing time. What’s your favorite line from this production? Leave a comment. You can also subscribe at the top left to get free articles delivered to your email inbox. Survival Bros doesn’t Spam, but we do store it just in case. Mmmmm. More crazy adventures coming on this blog. Cheers.
One of my favorite activities do to for myself is taking a trip to an isolation chamber, or flotation tank in PDX. The two spas Survival Bros have checked out are Float On, and Common Ground. Both are open to the public, just call ahead before you try this form of alternative medicine. There’s many benefits to floating, but in general it’s excellent for meditation, and relaxation. Specifically, I use this type of therapy for an improvement in circulation, and to enhance creativity.
So how does it work? Well, the video interview featuring Joe Rogan is a good place to start your journey. But since I have experience, here’s how it went when I stopped by Common Ground at the Everett House Healing Center and Spa. They are located at 5010 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211. First, I reserved a floating session by phone (503-238-1065), which cost $65 for 90 minutes. If you call them, and ask for a promotion, you may be able to get a better rate. There’s two tanks here. Common Ground is a wellness co-operative, so consider becoming a member for more savings. It’s a wonderful environment, bursting with plant life outside, and welcoming people all around. The reception area is cozy. Shop, explore other services, such as massage, or you can help yourself to a beverage like hot tea. Check in for your float, then grab an over-sized towel and hit the showers and sauna. Beware, locker room may be coed at times, so you may see some boobies.
After loosening up in the sauna, and breaking a sweat, I rinsed off again, and took off my bath towel. I slipped into the dark tank, and got settled in. Using earplugs is recommended, so one more bodily sense is cut off from The World. That’s the idea. You use an isolation chamber to go inside yourself, work through issues, and make discoveries. A floating air pillow supports your head and neck. Then you simply lay there in darkness, mostly submerged in salty water. The Epsom solution is ideally the same temperature as your skin, at 93.5-95 degrees. So as you relax, you begin to lose a sense of where your body ends, and where the The Universe begins. It’s like being thrown back into the womb. Finally, you’re alone with yourself again, and can process life better.
Follow the links provided to find out more benefits of flotation tanks. You’ll begin to discover how it changes your brain. If you try out an isolation tank, you may feel your mind bending. According to Common Ground in Portland, OR this “stimulates left/right brain synchronization; shifts brain waves from Beta to lower frequency Alpha, Theta and even Delta; creates mental clarity, alertness; increases creativity, problem solving; heightens visualization; deepens meditation; expands awareness, intensifies acuteness of all the senses, accelerates learning.” Sign yourself up. If you try this, you won’t be disappointed. It is not a waste of time. It’s something new to most, and good for you on many levels. Leave a comment if you have additional questions, and I will do my best to answer them. I will explore this topic further, and blog more about floating soon. Cheers.
The colors! Witness two magical rainbows going into the Pacific Ocean water. Photo taken on the Prom near 12th Ave. in Seaside, Oregon. Produced by http://www.cameronmckirdy.com More fun movies, and van dwelling Vlogs coming soon. I’m still around. Thanks for visiting my website. Have you ever seen a double rainbow in person? It was awesome. I love The Universe.
Cameron McKirdy of Survival Bros gets naked, and films the Terwilliger Hot Springs near Cougar Reservoir in Oregon by Blue River. Check out the four natural pools, and the wooden structures. The top pool is now under construction. The natural cave, which was a sauna, and the source of the hot springs is being remodeled by experts. They want it to remain as natural looking as possible. Word on the street is that the first pool will reopen as soon as it’s safe, and stable.
Recently I camped in a Walmart parking lot on West 11th in Eugene, Oregon. In this HD video you’ll get the scoop on what it’s like to do some urban stealth camping in my 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL. It was noisy, and the space is well lit, but in general, I got great rest. It feels good to be somewhere, and not have to pay for the experience. This was a fun experiment, and I’d recommend it to any Survival Bros. out there. Staying at Walmart for free beats dropping hundreds for a night in a hotel. Would you try this? Live simple my friends. More videos about my summer road trip coming soon. Thanks for visiting my blog! Peace and love.
Survival Bros gives you a tour of the 1986 Volkswagon Vanagon, and discusses van dwelling. I use the Coast Products TX100 LED flashlight to show you how dark the windows are now with tint and black vinyl covering them. Look at the other gear I use and how, including my Kelty Recluse 2.5 insulated sleeping pad. You have to have some kind of mat to lay on to be comfortable camping.
I’ve been doing a great job of staying clear of local police. I continue to camp on private property with permission from the owner, or legally at camp grounds. Plus, by staying at designated rest areas, the cops can’t charge me with overnight camping. The police have better things to do anyways, like uphold their oath to The Constitution, and keep the peace. We know law enforcement is big fans of our emergency preparedness blog, so thanks for visiting! More adventures from the road soon.
Survival Bros by Cameron McKirdy 