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Montie Roland's Blog
Montie Roland's Blog

Montie Roland's Blog

Southern Appalachian Mechanical Engineer That Loves Designing Products and Being Outdoors

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Posted on November 15, 2020November 15, 2020 by Montie Roland

2020 Overland Challenge – Part 1 – Co-Pilot / Wife Driving Blindfolded on the BFG Obstacle Course

This was just one of the many challenges over 3 days. It was a great event and we came in 2nd overall! What a great weekend. Check out the video of Connie driving blindfolded.

CategoriesBlog, NC adventure Tags2020 overland challenge, blind copilot challenge, jeep

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Previous PostPrevious Normalcy Bias – Be Aware of It, Make Better Decisions
Next PostNext 2020 NC Overland Challenge – Part 2

Montie Gear Blog

  • Homestead vs. In-stead – rightsizing the the project helps it succeed! May 23, 2021
  • Its Tough to Predict the Future – Price of Food is Going Up, but How Much April 18, 2021
  • Food as the Best Investment? March 28, 2021
  • Chickens vs Ducks vs Geese February 7, 2021
  • Build Good Soil Now – Buy Seeds Now – Start Plants January 31, 2021

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Montie Roland

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Montie Roland
More and more people are concerned about food security. A few years ago, the concept of food security was relegated to discussions of the distance food traveled to reach the grocery store. The United States is awakening to the terrible fact that politics impacts your ability to obtain food for your family. We watch as federal, often state and local governments, put misguided ideologies in place instead of comment sense. Don't be a victim of malicious and power hungry people who seem to want more and more power over you. They take control so they can have power. You can take that power back. Raise part of your food. Backyard chickens are a great way to do that. Self-reliance is now critical to protecting your family from the whims or politicians who want to rule your life and will do anything to have power over you, including taking away your food. This would have sounded crazy a few years ago, but after the last year, it just doesn't seem all that far fetched. A great way to raise part of your food is backyard chickens and ducks. Homegrown eggs are wonderful and nutritious. Listen into this podcast as we discuss the practical differences between chickens and ducks and geese when it comes to raising your own food.
Chickens vs Ducks vs Geese - Choose Which are Right for You
YouTube Video VVVJbUFFLXBGUVo0MGFId0h4TDNlR2l3Lkg0OTd4NFhJYXNn
Now is the time to improve the soil in your garden. Do things like add compost and wood chips. Don't wait until its time to plant. Instead give the microbes, bugs and other critters time to grow in your soil, so its ready when it is time to plant. You can search for "regenerative soil" for more information. Seeds are already starting to sell out with many vendors. Don't wait to buy your seeds. Order them today so you can get your plants started indoors next week. What are we doing? Yesterday, we trimmed my parents' blueberry bushes. Then we worked on trimming their grape vines. If you have blueberry bushes or grapes in NC, this is a great time to prune them. We are letting our chickens, ducks and geese terminate our winter rye cover crop in the garden. The are tireless workers to help till the wood chips and compost without destroying the beneficial bacteria and bugs in the soil. Our goal is to continually build better and better soil for better and better crops. The double win comes because our birds forage most days in a paddock (or garden this time of year) and it contributes to a healthier diet. Healthier birds lay higher quality eggs and produce higher quality meat. Some of our eggs have yolks that are almost orange!
Build Good Soil - Buy Seeds Now - Start Plants
YouTube Video VVVJbUFFLXBGUVo0MGFId0h4TDNlR2l3LmVPSFZoTWdQS084
Lets take a few minutes and talk about how redefining words and can be dangerous to you and your family. Hoarding is a term you often hear from people who refuse to prepare for the possibility of a disaster (natural or man made). Often those people think anyone who prepares for bad times is just a "hoarder". Even saying that while state and federal government agencies encourage people to have two weeks supply of food and water. Discernment and common sense are in short supply these days. Some people make fun who people who take steps to protect their family. Those same people often had parents who stored up food for the winter. Those people have determined that storing up food for the winter or bad times is something that rednecks and preppers do. They feel that the world is a more civilized place now and that isn't needed. At the same time they are spending way more for groceries than they need, just because they don't want to put effort into preserving food (and buying that food in season when it is much less expensive). Maybe they feel like its too much work. Who knows. But you at least suspect that you need to prepare for an increasingly unsure future in America because you are still reading.Don't let someone's ignorance and normalcy bias dictate what you do. Visit my blog at: www.montie.com
Hoarding and the Canned SPAM Rule
YouTube Video VVVJbUFFLXBGUVo0MGFId0h4TDNlR2l3LkNWWkxYLXh3QzU4
How normalcy bias can convince us we don't need to prepare for disasters and bad times. Break out of the normalcy bias lie and be prepared.
Normalcy Bias - Understand It, Make Better Decisions in a Crisis
YouTube Video VVVJbUFFLXBGUVo0MGFId0h4TDNlR2l3LjJJZzBpamJ0bXdz
What a year. The dumpster fire that is 2020 is almost over. Now is a good time to prepare to thrive in 2021. Build resilience and have a great year by focusing on these areas: prepare your garden soil purchase inexpensive foods now that are easy to store learn how to preserve food and be ready to preserve your food when summer crops are plentiful save money by preserving your own food stay healthier by eating food that you preserved, especially when you can buy them from a local farmer Spend a few minutes with me as I talk you through what you can do to have healthier food, better food security and save money. Links from the podcast Freeze Dryers – https://harvestright.com/ Dehydrator – https://www.nesco.com/product/fd-80-snackmaster-square-food-dehydrator/ FoodSaver – https://www.foodsaver.com/ – make sure that which ever version you purchase is compatible with the Jar Sealer Jar Sealer to go with Food Saver – https://www.foodsaver.com/parts-accessories/jar-bottle-sealers/foodsaver-jar-sealing-kit-with-wide-mouth-jar-sealer-regular-jar-sealer-and-accessory-hose-white/SAP_FCARWJAH000.html I have no relationship with these vendors, just a lot of respect for their products.
Save Money by Preserving Food and Laugh at the Zombie Apocalypse
YouTube Video VVVJbUFFLXBGUVo0MGFId0h4TDNlR2l3LkJkeXZxWTNRX3VV
Local farms work hard for customers. Local farms can provide wholesome foods. Local farms are robust and will still be there long after the food supply chain breaks down. Support your local farms, have a more self-reliant community and get wonderful fresh foods. Let’s talk about how to do this.
Win by Buying Food from Your Local Farm
YouTube Video VVVJbUFFLXBGUVo0MGFId0h4TDNlR2l3LjdtM3dxNThQRnRR
Join us to take a look at the new water lines for the yard hydrants and see the grading start to take shape. Day 2 focused on moving the last stumps out of the way and putting in more water lines and yard hydrants (spigots). The additional yard hydrants will make it more convenient when all of the campsites are occupied. The water lines for the outdoor shower and cabin also went in. Steps for the spring include moving the porta john down from the top of the ridge and putting in gravel for the driveway, turning loop and back in camp sites.
Day 2 - Building Campground
YouTube Video VVVJbUFFLXBGUVo0MGFId0h4TDNlR2l3Lkx6VHRGS0g1VXlr
The contractor (Bluff Mountain Nursery) spent most of the day pulling up stumps while I'll cleared logs and cut brush.
Day 1 - Building Campground - Evening Update
YouTube Video VVVJbUFFLXBGUVo0MGFId0h4TDNlR2l3LmNhWGdQa2hjcEY0
We're working on the campground. Join us to see how it looks before the heavy equipment arrives
Day 1 - Building Campground
YouTube Video VVVJbUFFLXBGUVo0MGFId0h4TDNlR2l3LjBtbERrLWItQ29B
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Nice morning Nice morning
Always enjoy hunting in the swamp Always enjoy hunting in the swamp
View from my tree stand View from my tree stand
Bow and quiver setup and hanging from the Montie G Bow and quiver setup and hanging from the Montie Gear Hunters Friend and Quiet Quiver. Now it is time to wait.
Enjoying our Jeep @wardens_wife Enjoying our Jeep @wardens_wife
Bruschetta on toasted bread! Bruschetta on toasted bread!
Nice having Jeep #jeeplife Nice having Jeep #jeeplife
Nice driving with the doors off! Nice driving with the doors off!
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New ride New ride
More Wall Mounts for the AR are built and ready to More Wall Mounts for the AR are built and ready to ship. These are a great way to display your AR! Available at www.montiegear.com
Wifey strikes again with another great meal Wifey strikes again with another great meal
Montie Gear worthy dinner cooked by Mrs Montie Gea Montie Gear worthy dinner cooked by Mrs Montie Gear
Nice night to sit by the fire. Where did I put th Nice night to sit by the fire. Where did I put those s'mores
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Pork chops over the fire Pork chops over the fire
Venison chili - yummy Venison chili - yummy
Sunday evening by the campfire in the backyard wit Sunday evening by the campfire in the backyard with the wife, priceless
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