The Final Journey:
A Diary of Survival
by
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The Final Journey: A Diary of Survival
January 20:
The decision was made. On January 21, we are bugging out. What would the future hold for us? Only the living of those future days would show us. Our hope is that you are, or will be, prepared for your own final journey. May what we learned and experienced motivate you to be ready to survive and successfully complete your final journey that will change your life.
Day 122 of our journey:
On day 122 woke up with friend’s directions in our memory. Said go four miles straight north from bridge, then make 90 degree turn to east. Said we should arrive at Bear Creek after another two- to three-mile walk. Breakfast cooked over small fire. Scrambled eggs. Dogs got their fill as well. Made sure all water containers were full. Dishes cleaned and repacked packs. Broke down camp, tarp rolled and put on top of my pack. All of that is now automatic, a skill that is burned into our capabilities.
Set direction to true north and headed out. Dogs on their leashes excited and exploring everything. Warmed up quickly as we walked. Really into some big hills—mountains as they are called here. Completely wooded. Part of the national forest. Not much undergrowth due to tree canopy above, so walking was not too difficult. Lots of old dead logs, moss, and ferns around. Lots of critter sign. Squirrels in trees and deer scat on the ground. Crossed over quite a few runs and streams during the morning. Rather than use carried water, we used water straws, always careful to look to see if any sign of critter use of water in the area.
Stopped for lunch around noon. Portion of dried beef and water. Dogs got couple pieces of the beef as well. Then back on the service road. As always tried to follow ridges as long as compass said we were headed in the right direction. Couple times had to dip into some small valleys where hills ran east and west. Only way to keep on direction was to do that. Slowed us a bit, but took plenty of rest stops. Could feel the additional weight in our packs. Found reasonable spot to set up lean-to. Water close by. On lee of hill, so decided to build a good fire. First can of tuna out. Mixed with scrambled eggs. Enough for the four of us. Dogs on long leashes exploring everything. Last thing done was to cut enough pine branches to build up a good sleeping mattress for the night.
As the last sliver of the sun sank below the hills to the west I looked into the dancing orange yellow flames of the last open fire I would sit in front of, at the end of our four-month 1,500-mile journey. My wife, Jude, sitting beside me, our two dogs lying beside us near the fire smelling the lingering scents of our just completed hot meal, the weariness of the day set in quickly. Knowing that no more than two or three miles remained to arrive at our final destination, an overwhelming sense of relief mixed with grateful exhaustion that our journey filled with unimagined challenges would soon end. We sat under the lean-to, and I put out our final fire. No current dangers, we settled down early to rest for tomorrow. Prayers, scripture and much thanks, we said good night!
Praise the Lord, all nations; Laud Him, all peoples!
For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.
Praise the Lord!
(Psalm 117)
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About the Book
It is the summer of 2016 and the possibility that a dark world exists in the future is a theory no one wants to become a reality. As signs of impending turmoil increase and a presidential election looms in the near future, two married Christian survivalists begin preparations for a fifteen-hundred-mile journey to what they hope is a safe place. Along the way, they log their experiences in a diary while strictly adhering to the mantra to always be prepared for the worst.
As the couple creates the four Es criteria—evaluate, escape, evade, and endure—that will dictate their journey, they pledge to stay true to them hinged on a strong faith that they will be led by an eternal plan. After evaluating their priorities and finalizing the details, the couple finally sets out in January on their quest to survive within a different world. As a new president is inaugurated and the country becomes more divided than ever, the Christian survivalists rely on their faith, scripture, and inner-strength as they transform into determiners of their own future. But can they overcome their challenges and endure long enough to reach their destination?
In this fictionalized diary, two Christian survivalists vividly describe their faith-filled journey to begin a new chapter within a tumultuous post-election world.
About the Author
Larry D. Horton, PhD is a pastor, missionary, Old Testament professor, historian, cross-cultural scholar, and executive who has spent his life studying and practicing spiritual and professional survival. He is a graduate of Grove City College, Asbury Theological Seminary, and Michigan State University. Dr. Horton and his wife, Jude, have three children, five grandchildren, two dogs, and live in Katy, Texas. This is the first book of an intended trilogy.