Excellent post - your moniker fits you well.
I plan to walk off into the tall grass myself. No sense in trying to raid- It will just attract attention... They'll have enough on their hands than to worry about me and mine 50 miles back in the sticks...
Same with the idea of trying to create a fortress and staying put - Bad idea to try and protect a fixed position, as not only the gubmint can find you, but also gazillions of folks without the wherewithal to do what you have... they will ALL be trying to get at your stores. Desperation is a terrible thing.
Nope. Better to stay light and mobile. Stash a few caches close to where you figure you are going, scout out some good places to hole up for winter... keep your head low and wait for the end of it all.
Mules/horses do little good if the scram happens in the winter though. Dogs and caches in that case...
Once my folks are safe, mebbe then I will drift down and see what I can do to help whatever resistance in taking place.
Nice to hear your take on what the US Mil will do. Drones are the only thing I worry about - Pretty cheap way to take out folks in the back woods. I wonder what they'd be looking for... Prolly IR signature/fire... two things I can't do much about. I can make due without metal, but fire is necessary.