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
Check out the contents of a Blessing Bag made by Girl Scouts for Homeless People. Please share this video! Send this to a friend, and add it to your own YouTube Playlist. I hope you consider making kits like this for vandwellers in your area. The less fortunate could use your help as Winter approaches. #vanlife
Thanks for visiting our blog. More on the way from Oregon.
Watch and learn how to get a free home, vehicle, or abandoned trailer like this one I found. It was left on a back road in Oregon. If someone doesn’t claim it by the posted time on the public notice, then it will be towed and impounded. To get a free house, etc. just call the Sheriff and tell the police it’s yours now, and you will be taking responsibility of ownership.
I could put this on a friend’s property, or pay only $35 per month to store it locally. Decisions…Decisions…and here I am blogging about it.
Attention my fellow Survival Bros: Check our my new vehicle for car camping! The old 2.1 Liter Volkswagen Vanagon has been sold to a hippie. This 1994 Chevrolet G-20 van cost $2,000, and has 136,000 miles on it. I’m hopeful that the Chevy will be much more reliable than the 1986 VW bus I lived in for nearly 2.5 years! I must have had AAA tow my last ride 13 times to a mechanic or home.
#SurvivalBros is creating a new video series on vandwelling in this RV. You’re gonna want to see every episode of my travels. I’m bursting with information, and tips to share about living on the road. Share this vlog and blog post with friends into #vandwelling Subscribe today on YouTube HERE!
Hanging out at “Surfer’s Parking Lot” near The Cove in Seaside, Oregon. Checking the wave conditions and people watching along the coast.
Cameron McKirdy drives his vehicle, a 1986 Volkswagen Vangon in gross, extremely dangerous Winter weather conditions near the beach in Seaside, Oregon.
Survival Bros Tips for driving in rain:
Turn your lights on
Obey traffic laws
Allow extra time and distance between yourself and other cars
Have good windshield wiper blades and/or Rain-X the front
Take your time (go slower), plus let people in (merge), and people to cross the road
Avoid distractions like filming, texting while driving, and singing to music in your car
Please try NOT to soaking pedestrians with enormous puddles near sidewalks!
Learn about items helpful to have on hand just in case of a disaster. These survival products could save your life! So stockpile this stuff, and other gear you would want. Imagine going through adversity. What would want for tools? Let the community know below.
Please share this video with friends so they can make an emergency kit. Like, comment, and SUBSCRIBE to #SurvivalBros Enter your email on this page to get all of the news. Plus, check out previous blog posts in the archives. Your support is truly appreciated.
Emergency Kit Items Listed:
– Backpack with Straps
– Emergency Whistle
– Garbage Bag
– Dust Mask
– Band-Aids
– Hand Sanitizer
– Water Bottle (1 gallon a day for 3 days, for each person)
I’ve been managing Cougar Crossing Campground in The Willamette National Forest, while living in my Volkswagen Vanagon. Plus, running Terwilliger Hot Spring in Oregon. That has kept me busy enough, but with Spring and Summer, come baby making, and mice are no exception. I have assassinated 18 mice in three weeks, using this Five Gallon Bucket Peanut Butter Trap, and a few traditional spring loaded wooden Victor Brand weapons. Watch the HD Survival Bros Video Production below to see exactly how to build your own mouse deathtrap.
Keep the critters out of your house, and vehicle by using this hunting method. It’s a simple, and easy solution, to a disgusting problem. I hate killing anything living, but NOW they won’t be damaging my car, tent, etc. and eating my food! I lost a few Pop Tarts folks. To make this project at home:
1. Spread Peanut Butter around the inside edge of the large plastic bucket, just down from lip
2. Place stick running up to the top, overhanging so the mice fall inside after looking for a meal
3. Fill bucket with 3 – 4 inches of water
4. Wait overnight for animals to become trapped, and die
5. Dispose of dead rodents properly with gloves, bury if possible a foot underground
Don’t call me PETA. I love animals, and drowning is a peaceful way to go right? Continue reading for more helpful information about mouse removal and solutions from personal experience.
I asked around for more mice control tips and tricks, and here’s what my friends came up with. Rats dislike pure mint oil extract. Place a few drops on a cotton ball, and put it where you’ve seen animals to keep them out. Also, try putting dryer sheets in the holes of your car or house. The mice won’t want to pass through these smelly spots. Steel wool (not thin) set in car air vents is a deterrent too, allegedly. Play with these things if you have a rodent issue. I think it’s good stuff to know, so I’m taking the time to share for my fellow Survival Bros.
Manager’s Campground Spot #1 on The McKenzie River
The most mice I’ve captured in a night was four! They are getting thinned out quick, but I expect them in waves all Summer. I also decapitated some poor, innocent slugs, when they set off the lever on my traps. It takes time setting up multiple devices. I’ve spent 30 minutes many nights smearing peanut butter, and setting them in all the right spots. Which for me, would be small game trails, near holes, or by my vehicle. In addition, a pal told me dumping sugar away from your camping spot will keep various critters out of your outdoor gear.
You can also try low tech scare tactics on the mice. When I first heard them scampering around my Vanagon, I didn’t have traps in place. So I make a bunch of intimidating noises. I was hissing, growling, barking, and clapping. That didn’t work, and neither did playing music. I should have tried Nickelback. Shaking the van side to side wasn’t and effective deterrent either. The mice are too smart. I swear they are tuned into my brain waves, and attack my living quarters as soon as I start to fall asleep.
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Vandwelling Project for Survival Bros
Later I peed on my rig to make it seem like a big animal lives there, and to serve as a warning. If I wasn’t deathly allergic to evil cats, I’d get one to stand watch. Where’s an owl when you need one? I have tried it all folks. And the 5 gallon peanut butter bucket trap as seen HERE works best. Good luck. More soon. Please comment, like, and share this blog post with friends. You’re the best.
Owl Kills Squirrel and Poses for Cameron McKirdy’s Camera
Survival Bros Product Testing The Gerber Prodigy Blade By Breaking a Glass Car Window
Using a “survival” knife to break glass for people locked out of their vehicle, Survival Bros helps by smashing a small car window, so the owner can get his keys and go home. The gentleman’s girlfriend locked the keychain in the car by accident before setting off on a day hike. At first, their solution was to simply throw a rock at the shiny, new BMW Sedan! They decided against that method of breaking in. He didn’t care about money it would cost to repair his ride, because he has auto insurance. I guess insurance covers women. The couple would have been stranded on the mountain at night, if they couldn’t get in. There’s NO cellphone service in The Forest. Fortunately, she was able to reach her arm in without getting hurt to pull the door handle open from the inside.
Would you call the Gerber Prodigy a true survival knife? Comment. It’s smaller, and only has versions featuring irritating serrations. Most friends I’ve encountered aren’t fond of this blade profile, because it takes away from the cutting surface area. Total length of 9.75 inches and blade length of 4.75 inches.
On the plus side, the sheath is quality, making it easy to lash, or attach to your backpack. MOLLE compatible, with a leg strap to try as a carrying position. The rubberized grip works well, and fits in hand ergonomically. It’s a bargain entry level survival or combat knife. Whatever you want to call it, or use it for, the price is right on Amazon for under $40 with free shipping. I’m going to beat mine to Hell this summer in the woods, then consider packing the LMF II, or something new. Have any knife recommendations for Survival Bros? You can always email me at thesurvivalbros@gmail.com
Watch Survival Bros breaking car windows with that blade too! It’s considerably bigger, and better.
Don’t try this! But if you do, wear proper eye and hand protection.
Follow Survival Bros on Instagram, or subscribe via email at top left of blog page! Thank you. Visit again soon for fun content. New articles, product reviews, and photos on the way. We are growing the community rapidly. This is awesome.
Learn which individual servings or samples of condiments, and sauce you can find for free. Do some urban scavenging like me. Stockpile packets of ketchup, salsa, candy, and more items for storage. My favorite package seen in the video is the lemon juice. I forgot to mention it. You can find just about any free food packet out there. I have a secret sauce floating around my van somewhere from Burger King. I think I eat out more for condiments than the fast food itself.
Having these sauces, and sugars, etc. on hand saves money. Take food packets like the ones shown on your next camping trip for extra spice, or flavor in your meal. Get free condiments as seen on Survival Bros at restaurants, and convenience stores. If something isn’t priced, it must be available to take.
Do you stockpile packets like I do? I feel like such a rebel when my pockets are full, and I’ve made a clean getaway with the loot.
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.
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