Backwoods understands what I am saying. Grandma and the 4 year old can not fight, and we don't leave them behind. That is exactly my point. There must be a place to re-fit.

The places I am refering to are only approached from lower ground. 1500 to 2,000 ft. elevation at the highest. As the enemy travels up, they will be funneled by cliffs that are 200 to 400 feet high. By funnel, I mean just that. The springs are some 20 miles from the low land and are the highest point. From there they flow out to feed the rivers. If we settle the springs, no one can contaminate the water supply, because it is artesian.

In addition, the cliffs offer lookout points, and give the advantage of ambush. If the enemy scales the cliffs (which I doubt) they are still on lower ground. If they are in the funneled valleys formed by the streams, then they are corraled and can be picked off from militia posted atop the cliffs.

In addition, the streams are full of stone. In many places it would be exceedingly difficult to track anyone coming in or going out.

The trees are old growth. Full maturity. The ground is nearly invisible from the air, except for spots of prairie in some openings.

When the leaves fall, there are still rock shelters, and it would be easy to disguise any occupation on the ground, because of all the boulders strewn threw the stream valleys. There are caves too.