On the way down to Galena recently, I happened to ask the gentleman who was the Civil War buff about one of the topics dear to his heart, namely the current energy crisis. Naturally I thought I knew a bit since I had switched some energy consumption to wood pellets.
"Well today we will see something very useful for the energy crisis." "What?", I asked.
"I know you wrote a bit about taking the temperature down to 45 degrees and the panic that resulted. Now imagine turning the furnace off entirely. After all, if the natural gas cost is $500 per month now, and the increases are 30% per year, it won't be too long till the cost is $1000. It's pretty clear that everyone will be affected in the case of an energy spike or panic."
"The pipes would burst on the water," I exclaimed. "No they won't because you will have drained them and have built an outhouse outside," he replied.
"Huh?" I responded.
"It will be a rude shock, but the American people are creative and resiliant and they will adjust. Of course, in a heartbeat, the McDonalds culture will be history and we will be eating and living differently.....and better." I was speechless.
It was the part about the outhouse that caused my wife concern.
Then I thought further. After all, it would be true historical restoration. And indeed, when we toured the Pres. Grant home, we noticed the very unusual luxury in the home, an iron claw bath tub just off the kitchen downstairs, where pots of water could be poured into it from the kitchen. No plumbing. Pour the water in and bail it out.
Anyway. That's the survivalist view. Just trying to be historically accurate and everything. Actually, no problem. Outhouses should be simple to build.
Note the pictures of Grant's home, the dining room set with the china from his daughters wedding in the White House and also the overview shot of Galena. Click to enlarge the picture.
Enjoy.
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