Stan - great idea, really. I have a BOB and enough stuff so that we could jump in the explorer and survive for... 2 weeks probably (minimally). 5 gallons of water, 4 MRE's, a couple dozen granola bars and energy bars, and all the other goodies (warm clothes, fire making supplies, fishing gear, etc.)

Vic - I agree w/ you 100%. I'd also venture to say that European culture is so very similar to US culture that it didn't take my wife any time at all to "adapt" to the "American Way" of life. Having lived in an Asian country (Korea) I can say that the cultural differences are huge.

Yes, I know, the "melting pot," but I'm talking about the way our society functions - in the mainstream sense. Definately an European based culture.