Let me tell you, our trip to Tenkiller for the YouTube meetup was... eventful, to say the least. We went in expecting a good time with fellow homesteaders, and we definitely got an experience. The video shows the whole chaotic shebang, but I wanted to dig a little deeper on what we learned and the historical angle of dealing with weather like that, especially concerning old ways.
First off, let’s talk about that storm. Tornado Alley is no joke. It’s not something that’s just popped up with modern climate change, though that certainly doesn't help; we need to look back at how people handled this before our fancy weather apps and car washes.
Historically, people living in regions prone to severe weather relied heavily on observation and a deep understanding of natural signs. Native American tribes, for example, had centuries of experience reading the skies and understanding the behavior of storms. They didn’t have radar, but they did have a profound knowledge of atmospheric conditions, wind patterns, and animal behavior, such as birds acting differently right before the weather shifted.
They often sought shelter in natural depressions, caves, or sturdier structures built from earth and stone. These dwellings, even though simple, provided solid protection against the wind, and with a lower profile, fared better against high gusts. You can find many examples of these types of dwellings in pre-colonial architecture across the plains; they weren't built to "survive" a tornado necessarily, but to minimize risk through smart construction and location.
Our experience brought up a modern-day question, "How much are we relying on technology instead of our instincts?" I was glued to my phone, watching radar, which is good, but in the end the tent failed regardless, reminding me of how many things in the past that I've gotten used to relying on, that can fail, and that's no different than that flimsy tent that was supposed to hold. Even with warnings, you can't guarantee safety without the right basic preparations, and a deeper knowledge of what's actually happening around you. The tent was like relying on tech, it looked like it would do the job until it didn't.
Now, let's talk gear. We had a modern pop-up tent – the kind that's marketed as "easy" but failed miserably against a bit of wind and rain. It reminds me of those quick "solutions" that come with a shelf life, and they're often just made for convenience instead of durability. Here's some old-way thinking I wish we had kept closer to the forefront of our plans:
All in all, the trip was a good learning experience, not just on the importance of being prepared for the unexpected, but on how looking at the past ways of doing things can still be applicable today. Sometimes the old ways are not only better; they're the only way.
What has everyone else learned about preparedness by taking a few steps back in history? Share your thoughts in the comments.
First off, let’s talk about that storm. Tornado Alley is no joke. It’s not something that’s just popped up with modern climate change, though that certainly doesn't help; we need to look back at how people handled this before our fancy weather apps and car washes.
Historically, people living in regions prone to severe weather relied heavily on observation and a deep understanding of natural signs. Native American tribes, for example, had centuries of experience reading the skies and understanding the behavior of storms. They didn’t have radar, but they did have a profound knowledge of atmospheric conditions, wind patterns, and animal behavior, such as birds acting differently right before the weather shifted.
They often sought shelter in natural depressions, caves, or sturdier structures built from earth and stone. These dwellings, even though simple, provided solid protection against the wind, and with a lower profile, fared better against high gusts. You can find many examples of these types of dwellings in pre-colonial architecture across the plains; they weren't built to "survive" a tornado necessarily, but to minimize risk through smart construction and location.
Our experience brought up a modern-day question, "How much are we relying on technology instead of our instincts?" I was glued to my phone, watching radar, which is good, but in the end the tent failed regardless, reminding me of how many things in the past that I've gotten used to relying on, that can fail, and that's no different than that flimsy tent that was supposed to hold. Even with warnings, you can't guarantee safety without the right basic preparations, and a deeper knowledge of what's actually happening around you. The tent was like relying on tech, it looked like it would do the job until it didn't.
Now, let's talk gear. We had a modern pop-up tent – the kind that's marketed as "easy" but failed miserably against a bit of wind and rain. It reminds me of those quick "solutions" that come with a shelf life, and they're often just made for convenience instead of durability. Here's some old-way thinking I wish we had kept closer to the forefront of our plans:
- Shelter Options: If we had known the threat was that high, a more sturdy shelter should have been secured. Even a heavy duty canvas tent, or a more traditional wood framed tent would have provided more support in windy conditions than what we had.
- Water Management: Rain is something that people had to deal with for a long time. The video showed that we had standing water in the tent. This isn’t just inconvenient, it’s damaging to our gear and can encourage mold. Using a ditch and trenching around the tent is a simple solution to divert water away from your campsite.
- Ground Mats: Using old canvas, rubber, or wood mats underneath our belongings could have kept things off the damp ground and somewhat dry even if the tent failed. It's also an added layer of protection.
- Emergency Bag: We had all the basic emergency supplies, but it should have been in something waterproof and not left in the tent, so that when it was compromised, we could get everything together quickly.
All in all, the trip was a good learning experience, not just on the importance of being prepared for the unexpected, but on how looking at the past ways of doing things can still be applicable today. Sometimes the old ways are not only better; they're the only way.
What has everyone else learned about preparedness by taking a few steps back in history? Share your thoughts in the comments.
