[color=0076a3][b][i]April 14, 2016[/i][/b][/color]
It has been a busy couple of days. I haven't had time to write. We have received several more folks into our group. As of this date, the following people and ages are in our group:

Gene Moll, 39
Alicia Moll, 14
Corbin Chandler, 41
Ellis Chandler, 17
Denise Chandler, 12
Paul Sato, 30
Maria Sato, 28
Leslie Sato, 5
Dennis Chu, 40
Margaret Chu, 16
David Chu, 14
Mikhail Yakovlev, 55
Dominika Yakovlev, 25
Ludmila Yakovlev, 22
Roman Yakovlev, 19
Gabriela Bousaid, 27
Lakshmi Bousaid, 5
Joseph Filion, 30
Theresa Filion, 6
Joseph Filion Jr., 4

Our convoy consists of my HMMWV, Gene's Chevrolet Suburban, Corbin's Jeep Wrangler, Sato family's Toyota Highlander, Chu family's BMW, Yakovlev family  Subaru Legacy, and Gabriela Bousaid's Ford Escort. Ellis Chandler has graciously volunteered to man the M240. I had to give him a block of instruction on how to load, aim and fire the machine gun. I also told him never to fire unless myself or his father tell him to.

On our first day, we drove west to Cleveland, OH. In Cleveland we picked up the Chu family and Gabriela Brousaid. We spent the night in Cleveland and found some food at a local grocery store. It all hasn't gone bad yet. I checked out the guns store. It is already starting to get slim pickings, but I was able to secure more gunpowder and primers for the reloads.

On our second day, we drove west to Toledo, OH and Ft Wayne, IN. We picked up the Yakovlev family and the Sato family. We found more groceries and yes, I found more ammunition to add to what we already have. I found another 1200 rounds of 7.62mm, but it is not linked and no tracers. It is actually civilian .308 caliber ammunition, but it will do. If we ever use the 7.62mm Linked ammo, I can spend some time building new links with the .308 caliber stuff. That will be fun. Maybe I can get some of the kids to do it for me. Now there is a useful plan.

This morning, we drove to Chicago, IL and have decided to make our camp at the University of Chicago. We have already heard gunfire to the north, south and west of us, at some distance. I am starting to feel uneasy about this location. Given this is the third largest city in the US, there must be some decent stores we can scavenge before heading south. We've decided to implement a guard rotation tonight. Since our party numbers twenty people, which includes eight children, I really don't want to chance it. I can count on Gene, Corbin, Ellis, Paul, Dennis, Mikhail, Dominika, Ludmila, and Roman to serve as guards. I've given each of them an M4 Carbine with eight full magazines. I intend to let them keep the rifles even if we get split up somehow. I want them to get familiar with their weapons. They will be expected to hunt too. All in due time. I also plan to teach them some small unit tactics; stuff I learned in Ranger school.

I hope we make it through the night with no difficulty. I am worried.