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
Watch our new HD video production to get ideas of easy meals you can create while living in your vehicle. I’ve been sleeping in my 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL, or vandwelling for eight months straight now. Being out there, and doing IT, teaches you what it takes to plan for a long road trip. However, maybe this blog post will inspire you to do more car camping. It’s been an amazing experience, and my pleasure to share with you. I’m so glad I’ve been able to see more of the Pacific Northwest while I’m young, wild, and free. Now I just need to find more stickers to paste on my VW Bus.
Many food suggestions shown in the YouTube video are also ideal for backpacking, because they are ready instantly with hot water. Other dishes, or side meals are fully prepared for consumption as is, such as the individually wrapped granola bars. I also eat plenty of fresh organic fruit, and drink spring or distilled water. No tap.
Tip: Use different sizes of Ziploc bags to store food items in, and label each kit with a permanent pen. You can compact the plastic storage sacks, and take most of the air out of them, so they are almost vacuum sealed, and take up minimal space. Then put the locked baggies in larger bins, or the pockets of your Everyday Carry backpack for safekeeping.
1986 VW Vanagon getting it done
Please SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel HERE! I will follow back if you make similar videos. Like, comment, and share this blog post with friends. Let us know if you are vandweller, and what your setup looks like. Visit the Survival Bros HD Videos page above for all of the latest adventures.
What’s good? Its been a Heaven of a year! Survival Bros has beefed up the website with frequent posts, vivid photos, and new HD video productions. Visit the ARCHIVES for all of the fun, and emergency preparedness news.
Here’s my favorite YouTube videos from 2014, in case you missed the action and adventure:
My #EDC backpack gear for #Survival
Steel Target Shooting Demonstration with Tactical Gypsy
Cameron McKirdy’s LifeProof smartphone case review as seen on The ABC World News with Diane Sawyer
How to get FREE stuff in life
Video of my #vandwelling setup on the Oregon Coast
Checking out William Henry knives at a jewelry store
The perfect vehicle for The Zombie Apocalypse
Exploring World War II bunkers on Tillamook Head near Seaside, OR
Doing yoga with certified instructor Sarah Whisler at the beach
You can’t define Survival Bros, or Cameron McKirdy. There’s no way of knowing what will come in the year 2015. Stay tuned. Thank you for your support of this project. I’ve produced all this for free. Please continue to like, comment, share, and subscribe to us. Let’s make the Survival Bros community even greater in the days to come.
Mocha The Puggle and I love you! (Hiking Saddle Mountain)
See what car living is like for a gypsy travelling on the road in HD video. I think he has a great gear setup for van dwelling. I’m jealous of his sink, with a clever gravity fed water system, harnessing an inexpensive solar shower. Plus, his lighting setup works, and didn’t cost much, thanks to a trip to Dollar Tree. You can’t tell Hugh is in there either, since it’s a cargo van without side rear windows. The dark exterior paint color blend into the darkness, making him more stealth. I like what he has done to insulate the metal sides with cardboard and aluminum tape. Hugh knows the cardboard is organic material, and will eventually decompose, but it’s easy to replace with fresh insulation later. Even the interior wall panels are stuffed with recycled shopping bags for added warmth. We list all of the car camping items for you to spark your imagination, but is there anything you’d add to the recreational vehicle? More van dwelling videos on the way. Stay tuned to Survival Bros.
Survival Bros smashes the screen of a cellphone with a new COAST Products F611 Tactical Field blade. It was total destruction! The carbide tip can also muscle through regular glass, Plexiglas, and plastic. It’s a sturdy knife, and I usually have it handy at the bottom of my backpack, just in case. The F611 is a solid tool for camping, because it can help you process wood for a fire, or even when creating an emergency shelter. You’ll like working with it, and it’s guaranteed by COAST.
Please SUBSCRIBE on YouTube, like, comment, and share if you want more HD videos. Visit the COAST Products for more gear, and information. Here’s the link to my other blog on Art, and video production. http://www.cameronmckirdy.com
Tech Specs:
Cost $43.99 Retail
7Cr17 stainless steel blade
6.0 in. blade
11.0 in. overall
10.8 oz.
Tactical elastomer handle on stainless steel frame
Survival Bros goes car camping, and cooks food with the new Pinnacle Base Camper Large from GSI Outdoors. The slick gear features their nFORM Destination System, offering a nesting design for compact storage. Watch in HD video as I show you how it works, and clean it with ease.
The camp cookware is top quality. Each item is designed for hard use, and extended durability. The Teflon coating on the two pots, and large skillet is abrasion resistant, so harmful chemicals won’t be scratched off into food. Plus, the metal is proven to distribute heat evenly, for quick cooking. You can see in the vlog how my food is boiling over the entire radius. Also, GSI Outdoors has developed every product they make to be BPA-free. That’s good, because I don’t want my hormones being disrupted. This Washington State based company has the excursion items you need. Carrying around swag from them makes my life much easier, because it does the job, and lasts.
The Base Camper Large is ideal for a group of four, so I intend on using it when I entertain while tenting with friends, or I’m just super hungry. You’ll be glad you got a set like this if you enjoy camping, an preparing meals outdoors. Retail price is $109.95. Visit GSI Outdoors for more info, and check out the Pinnacle Camper set for the ultimate, integrated cooking and eating solution.
The colors! Witness two magical rainbows going into the Pacific Ocean water. Filmed in HD video on the Prom near 12th Ave. in Seaside, Oregon. Produced by http://www.cameronmckirdy.com More fun movies, and van dwelling Vlogs coming soon. The Volkswagen Vanagon is still putting around. Thanks for visiting my website. Have you ever seen a double rainbow in person? It was awesom. I love The Universe.
Scary GoPro Black High-Definition video footage at Devil’s Cauldron from Survival Bros. Shot with my HD Head Camera on, while walking above a rocky cliff near the Oregon Coast Trail. This state long hiking trail follows the shore, and includes sections on paved Highway 101. These cliffs are close to the Neahkahnie Mountain trail head. More GoPro videos coming soon on this blog. Exciting, I know!
Be safe outdoors. And remember, it didn’t happen unless there’s video proof of it. Email me at thesurvivalbros@gmail.com if you have questions, comments, or would like to share an article/something you’ve produced. I’m always looking for EDC pictures. So let’s see the pocket dumps, and which items you find useful daily. Thanks.
Out of nowhere, my VW Bus is struggling to start. Everything electrical flickers. The radio cuts out. The engine sputters. Plus, the battery and OXS (oxygen sensor) light came on. I called Avery’s Air-Cooled in Kelso, WA and they helped me diagnose the problem over the phone. We figured the issue was a faulty voltage regulator. Mechanics Jason and Kelly had a $40 Bosch part, and installed the unit for only $29. But before I got fixed up and back on the road, I was parked on the shoulder of Highway 101, waiting for Classic Towing to get me to another state – Washington. Thank God for AAA. I’m on the Premier towing package. Nothing but the best for my baby. Funny that I broke down on the way to the repair shop.
Avery’s Air-Cooled always hooks me up, and keeps my bill low. And if you have a Volkswagen, chances are they will have the part you need in stock. Call them to order something at (360) 425-1119 Here’s their website too! http://www.averysaircooled.com/ I will have to shoot some HD video there soon. They have tow truck loads of vintage bugs, buses, and beyond. And if you hang out long enough, you’ll get to see a traveling Art Show as the graffiti passes on the nearby train tracks.
Mitsubishi Fuso FG 140 4×4 truck spotted in Seaside, Oregon! This emergency preparedness rig has an ideal setup for extreme mobile living, and protection from undead zombies among us. Would you car camp in this monster? It looks comfortable, and well designed. It may be bigger than I’d want for bugging out, and I don’t know about the color, but it’s an excellent truck platform to work from. The Fuso just needs a snorkel if it’s going to spend the winter on the Oregon Coast. I didn’t see a camera system installed either for extra security.
This beast looks like a completely custom job, made to be multi-purpose. There’s few places it couldn’t go on Earth. I’d love to hear what you have to say about this setup in the comment section, or on our YouTube channel. I’m sure this vehicle will be on the road for a long time, baring an unforeseen marauders, or natural disasters, etc. Please SUBSCRIBE to Survival Bros by entering your email on the top left side of the screen! Stay tuned for more emergency preparedness news, because you can’t know what’s around the corner.
Additional HD videos and blog posts can be found on http://www.cameronmckirdy.com Thanks for your support.
A Zombie Aapocalypse Edition 4×4 truck parked in Seaside, Oregon
An hour East of Eugene, the McKenzie River Recreational Trail waits to be conquered. A 26 mile path skirts the cold, rippling waterway. It’s one of America’s premier destinations for bikers, and hikers. Outdoor enthusiasts can also be spotted during the summer on the water in rafts of all shapes and sizes. Survival Bros floated it. However, here’s what’s its like to attack the upper part of the wilderness trail on my bicycle.
The 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon is locked. Bike is ready. God bless my vintage Univega Alpina Pro mountain bike. It’s a hardtail with tire liners for extra protection, so I shouldn’t have trouble pummeling porous lava rocks. This will be my first ride with it off of pavement, or graveled logging roads. Exciting. Water, check. Mechanix gloves, yes. 3M safety shades, on. Let’s crush this.
And I’m off. Going downhill mostly, to Clearwater Lake from the top of the trail. I will have to fill my stainless steel water bottle at the campground. Problem is, it’s hard to know what’s undrinkable, and what’s potable with all the well pumps around. I may have to take a chance, because I’m not buying water. I’m looking forward to adding 2 packets of Airborne Plus Energy into my drink for flavor, vitamins, and minerals.
The plan is to tackle the challenging section of course around the lake first, then take an easy trail back uphill to my vehicle. OK, get centered. Where are you? In the moment. Faster!!!
Root! Pop the front wheel over, and peddle. Good. Lean into this corner. Branch…We’re bushwacking today. Alright, NOW break. Shift weight back, coming off the seat. Who put this tree down here? Ever heard of a chainsaw? Pick up your bike. Thankfully, it’s lightweight, full chromoly frame. I’m so happy I invested in tuning this vintage ride up. The guys at Canyonview Cyclery took care of me. This is the video I produced at their shop after the Univega was restored to glory.
There’s the edge of the water at Clear Lake. I’ve never seen water so pristine. I bet I could drink straight from the lake. Ducks do it. I almost hit one fowl in my way. Move mallard. Already, I’ve narrowly avoided about 10 chipmunks, and a large rabbit too. I’ve seen squirrels try to take on bikes before. They ended up in the spokes without a head. That would ruin my day. I need a bell on this bike of mine to signal wildlife.
Now comes the hard part. Negotiating lava rock fields on two wheels. But I’ve been here before. Only I came from the opposite direction last time. I’m going to have to push it up this long hill. It feels great to get off my butt, and work other muscle groups. I like my new bicycle handle bar ends. Now I have more hand positions, and can really pull myself up steep inclines.
I’m flying. Let’s not forget our 5 D’s of mountain biking: dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge! Corner! Hard left. Leaning into it, and looking where I want to go. Holy guacamole. I almost sailed into the lake. The canoers would have liked to see that. I’d rather not be fishing. This is what I came to do.
Bump. My nuts. Watch the nuts. You’re going to need those. Oh God, I have to split between a root, and a rock going fast. No room for error. Arrghhh. Made it. But that took all of my upper body strength. I haven’t screamed that loud since…oh, let’s keep it PG. I’m dumping sweat. This is my hell workout. Put it all on the line. Gasp. Exhale. Breath. Sigh. Focused. A few more miles of rocky road, and then a less technical section to savor. The McKenzie River Recreational Trail is damn tough. No wonder it’s one of the World’s most celebrated biking areas. I can do this. Finish strong. I’m the man. BEAST MODE!
Survival Bros by Cameron McKirdy 