Short review of Central Texas area.
Growth in the last few years has been tremendous. The traffic situation, especially on the I35 corridor is unbelievable. Many times it can only be termed a slowly moving parking lot. The city of Austin is the Capitol of Texas and is the home of the University of Texas, with several other schools within one hour drive. There are many students in the city, or near it, and the city is considered very liberal with a large and vocal environmental movement. The city council is considered liberal and heavily influenced by the environmental movement (the city has also received some benefit of course, since it is still a beautiful, mostly clean, and very livable, city. These policies have directly contributed to the problems also, however.) The voters recently rejected a light rail proposal that would cost almost $2 billion dollars and served less than 5% of the population (I heard lower percentages). Everyone was surprised at the results. The city council promptly decided that they would try it again next election (when turnout is almost non-existent). This also would have chewed up almost all of the money that could have been used for other traffic improvements, such as traffic light syncronization, more lanes, even more buses (which are rarely anywhere near capacity). Travel into the city can be difficult unless you have a parking spot lined up in advance, such as at a business or event you are attending. We have park--and-ride facilities, and I must admit that I have usually enjoyed my rides (since they are usually empty except at peak traffic periods, and the drivers usually friendly and helpful, and its nice to be chauffered around in a $100,000 vehicle by a highly paid professional). Certain routes, as in any large city, would be only for residents and adventurers.
Due to the large percentage of college students, the low taxes, nice area (except during the summer droughts and tornado and hurricane seasons), reasonably low crime, and tax incentives given to bring businesses into the area, this area now hosts an untold number of large and small manufacturers. Wages have been driven upward, and there is a shortage of workers in almost any area. Day laborers, for example, who would work for minimum wage and a lunch, and travel anywhere and do almost any hard, honest work almost two years ago, now command $10 or more.
Naturally, the city coucil refused to improve the infrastructure, like expanding the water and wastewater systems, and addressing the clearly increasing traffic problems. The traffic situation is extremely bad, with few alternative routes since the city council refused to build roads in environmentally sensitive areas (read: everywhere, anywhere, you-name-it). However, the city seems to have more than enough money to install an ever increasing number of traffic cameras, including some in areas where the only purpose seems to be to monitor the "gates" of the city (small roads, little or no traffic, infrequently used). Traffic is light until 6:30 am and remains bad in most areas until almost 9:00 am, unless, of course, there was a wreck, which can mean little or no movement for hours (few alternative routes, as you remember). Evacuation of the city begins around 3:30 and ends around 6:00-6:30 pm or so.
The hill country is still rugged and beautiful, but housing developments are springing up all around, especially straining the road system. Fortunately, many communities outside of Austin are still small(er), with a small town feel, with houses built on farms and 5-10 acre tracts. Some higher density areas are being built and others considered, which seems to be leading to over development, strained resources, and increased taxes (or appraisals). Construction of houses, buildings, and apartments is expected to continue. Road construction is an ongoing nightmare, and when they are finally finished, will be far below the needed capacity.
But you know, if you just head west 20 or so miles you are back in the 1850's again. But that glow on the horizon at night sure seems to grow day by day.
sounds like civil unrest would be a major factor in a large scale crisis, in terms of being 'invaded' by refugees and those seeking to do bad things...... I think Joel recommends that you be at least one to two tanks of gas away from any population center, minimum.
Otherwise, you are placing yourself in an E&E (evasion and escape) mode, where you have to rely on hiding your retreat and your activities very well to carefully not draw any kind of attention.
At any rate, a low profile, by keeping your windows blacked out or boarded up, minimizing cooking smoke and odors, and also to be careful about what you say on the CB or other radio, etc. will be very important.
Driving through Texas? Little Known New Law Could Cost Drivers $200--Excerpts:
Is any part of your car’s license plate partially covered by a frame or any stickers? If it is, you're breaking the law, and don't be too surprised if a state trooper soon pulls you over.
What’s legal and what isn’t and why? First, it’s a new state law passed by the legislature. It became effective on September 1.
DPS Trooper John Sampa explained, "If a bracket or some type of device obstructs the visibility of the license plate, meaning that it touches the letters, touches the numbers or alters the design of the plate, that gives an officer probable cause to make a traffic stop."
And give you a ticket with a fine of up to $200. The rationale behind this -- officers need to clearly see a license plate in case they have to investigate a potential suspect…
According to Trooper Sampa, legal license plates should have "nothing that's obscuring the letters, the numbers or the design of the plate. It may look ugly, but in the state of Texas, it's legal."
http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/news/90903_local_plates.html
In Alex Jones’ Weekly Report, Oct. 9, 2004, Alex and Sal Costello discussed the draconian toll road system which is being introduced in Austin Texas to tax and track the movements of Austinites. The federal plan is to have the entire country networked by this suffocating surveillance grid. For more information, see
http://www.prisonplanet.tv/articles/october2004/091004weeklyreport.htm.