Still having fun with this, a LOT of fun with this, so I am continuing.

So let's start with a little mood music for describing the overland adventures. I'm going with Knopfler again, because his music is evocative and also has just enough electric to be feasible in a post-industrial world.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyI9flHHT2Q]

Overland travel in the PNW is severely hampered by the total degradation of the interstate system and the total lack of any alternative built. While anachrotech (A term I like, and I think it's appropriate for describing the use of old designs from centuries ago) steam engines run on small routes, mostly between major cities like Portland and Seattle, the vast majority of the population relies on travel via horse drawn carriage or foot. The pace of life is much slower than the modern world. Old West style tropes, such as the average family hitching up the wagon to go to town on a weekend are back in vogue.

The majority of the world is much more isolated than now. With the average travel time for a horse drawn carriage of only 15 miles a day for a large group, caravans and other techniques for group travel have become common once again. There are well established routes, although the vagaries the weather and environment cause them to shift slightly from year to year. As a result, many of the towns off the main routes have very little contact with the major cities, simply because of the huge amount of effort needed to get to them.

Hence Small Traders and groups can make very good livings bringing necessities and skills to the towns on a regular bases. Doctors, Musicians/Entertainers, Smiths, Librarians, and even the occasional Justice of the Peace are skills that are needed by these individual communities, and as a result, the traveling Caravans often find themselves hired by communities to bring those individuals. So much so in fact, that many Caravans have simply hired the people they're ferrying everywhere, resulting in a "Traveling Circus" vibe to many of them, only with needed skills rather than pure entertainment. (Yes, I imagine the equivalent of a bookmobile is totally a part of the service.)

Technology:

There are two general branches of technology in this world. Nakrotek and Hitek. (Yes, I'm deliberately mauling the words anachrotech and High Tech to account for 500 years of the words being used in casual conversations...)

The major difference between the two is that Nakrotek is fully understood by even the most basic layman. If an average Caravan or ship carries someone who can fix it, build it, or repair it easily and quickly with local materials, it's Nakrotek. It won't necessarily be the most efficient or most pretty way of doing things, but it will be the way that is most commonly in use. Examples of Nakrotek include Horse drawn carriages, plows, wood frame houses, Early 18th century sailing vessels, Glass blowing, etc...

Hitek relies on advanced manufacturing processes to maintain and build. As a result, much of it is no longer fully understood by the average person, and is viewed with a slightly superstitious air. Sticking with Arthur Clarke's Maxim, any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. It's well established that these things can be done, and very few doubt that there is a natural explanation, but they don't know HOW it works. The skills are rare and concentrated in wealthy areas that can force enough labor and resources to afford the luxury. (Yes, the rich areas will be a thinly disguised criticism of modern America...) (One more side note, I imagine that one of the great "Treasures" of Tillamook is a partial database which has a great deal of information. However, sadly it depends upon the skill of the librarian to find relevant data, since the most common response is a "404".)

Things that no longer exist include the internet. Most Soulfun service is history,(Say it out loud with a slight slur... ) existing only the wealthiest areas and protected with extremely strong encryption. Nuclear weapons are still in the hands of the richest states, and they often bluster about the use of them and their ability to use them, but it's been so long since one has been used, that many believe the capability has actually been lost. (In addition, the loss of resources in using one simply means the end of the armegeddon threat came about not because of the desire for peace, but because the MIC can no longer just throw money at problems.)

However, Nitrocellulose is still in common use, which means that weapons are far more dangerous than the 18th century equivalent. Hitek weapons using stamped metal sheeting are rare outside of wealthy areas, (But that doesn't stop certain wealthy folks from selling them at high prices to any and all buyers. Even in this future, I still see shady arms dealers trying to ply their trade.) but the handcrafted AK-47 is pretty much the standard infantry arm. They can be easily built but of course the craftsmanship varies from place to place. (However, a major common modification is a "Brass Catcher" which retains all spent casings for later reloading. As mentioned before,refined metals are valuable.)

Phew... Ok, that's enough to get started. Since we're getting down to the nitty gritty where I am not as much of an expert as I'd like, I'd love it if some of my sustainability and prepping friends can help me out with what is feasable.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt1Pwfnh5pc]