Security & Camping alone

[Gaelen]

Beautiful puppy, is she a Healer dog, looks like the dogs they use in Montana for cattle...Jim G

Jim--I'm not Andrea--but my money for the puppy's breed is on Catahoula Leopard Dog.

BTW--there was one thing on my essentials list that I take so much for granted I never even mentioned it. But if you're traveling alone, it can be absolutely critical.

The thing I forgot?
IDENTIFICATION!
Carry some form of photo ID with you at all times, and keep with it emergency contact information.

When my nephews started coming camping with me, we made a project out of creating their "IDs" -- on the blank side of one of my business cards, they pasted one of their school pictures and a computer label we made with their ID info. Then we used heat-sensitive luggage tag lamination sleeves to make them into laminated IDs (I used the iron.)

These days, I also carry at minimum a medic alert card. It says I have a chemo port, names my diagnosis and lists my docs' contact info. There's an area for current meds; I've covered it over a couple times with new meds on a small address-type label. It also says that in my purse/wallet they should look for the USB flash drive onto which are scanned my complete medical records. The pen drive is smaller than my pocket knife, and I update it after every new doc appointment, scan, blood draw, etc. It's labeled 'emergency medical info' on both sides of the flash drive, and can be plugged into any computer by medical personnel. If you have a critical health issue, the medic alert card/ID and something like the portable medical record service (my doc's office provides it) can save your life when you're away from home.

[Jazzy Lynn]

All the information posted here is great whether you are going solo or with a group. When I camp alone, I always make sure that I tell my sister the name of the campground I'm headed to, where it's at, the phone number to the rangers' office, the make/model and license plate number of my car and td and when I will return. I also carry a roll of quarters. If I'm out of cell phone range, I can still use a pay phone if there is one in the campground.

I enjoy camping alone and have never had a problem. But I don't camp in isolated areas. I prefer to stay in developed sites that have a camp host. There have been a few times when I've gotten the willies about being alone but I don't let fear hold me back from doing something I enjoy. As it's been said before, just be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. And I always take the dog. She would never forgive me if I left her behind.
Barbara

[Joanne]

There was 3 knocks so I know someone was there. (unless raccoons can knock).

It could happen!

Hey, I recognize the one in the middle!!! Those are the ones who broke into my truck at the SLO gathering and stole all of the food!

Joanne

[TLC]

I love traveling and camping alone. I can read a book all day if I want , eat when I want ,and sleep when I want to. It's a great way to relax. Or if I feel like spending the day at a farm auction I don't have to get back to camp to feed the kids. It makes for some nice "me time" to recharge for the week ahead.
I only had trouble one time when I was skiing up near Ely Mn. and went to a casino and won some money. A guy followed me out to my van and was peeking in the windows. Security saw him on the cameras and came out to check on me and asked if I knew the guy. I told them "no" and they hauled him away.

Casinos, rest stops , and other places that have good security cameras can be a girls best friend when traveling alone. I like sleeping cheap or free when I'm not setting up camp and just on the move. I have also found truck stops to be OK for a little boondocking. If a place feels creepy I won't stay there and will find a motel parking lot . They also tend to have pretty good security.

Camping in state park campgrounds up north here seems to be pretty safe and I have never had any trouble. I do like the bear spray idea though as I have had trouble with animals taking food. I just hid in my tent ( back b4 I discovered the wonderful world of teardropping) and let them eat.

First of all, pardon me for the male intrusion into the female domain, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to comment on Kayaklover's post. I've been camping with her numerous times since the last ITG. It's my opinion that the rest of the world needs protection from her. My camp-inn came with good locks on the doors but since meeting her I've added dead bolts. I've installed a lock on my cooler, and have to hide my liquor. No matter where I hide it, her radar can find it within seconds. She's ready to drink ANY time of the day!
OK, I might be stretching it a little. The truth of the matter is she's a wonderful person to camp with. She is always up for a trip. Will drive hundreds of miles for a weekend, and be ready the next weekend to do it all over again. She can make meals from practically nothing and they are good. She camps often with her grown kids and a slew of dogs and never complains. She's right there to help set up and tear down, and is a blast around the campfire. I'd camp with her any time. She will camp, kayak, hike, ski, antique, shop, and sight see at the drop of a hat. Keep up the good work Lori and I'll see you at the next one.

[kayaklover]

Tom,
How did you photoshop those bottles in my hands. I was holding puppies in the real picture!

[TLC]

Tom,
How did you photoshop those bottles in my hands. I was holding puppies in the real picture!

If anyone believes that......I've got a real nice bridge for sale!

Tom

[CAJUN LADY]

Tom,
How did you photoshop those bottles in my hands. I was holding puppies in the real picture!

If anyone believes that......I've got a real nice bridge for sale!

Tom

I like the puppy named "Bark-idi" that she's holding.

[S. Heisley]

Hmmmm...Is that your hand, holding the Jack Daniels bottle? Maybe someone took a like picture and super-imposed parts of it onto your puppy-pic.

[Betsey]

Well, here is the REAL, untouched photo...before it was doctored by unscrupulous teardroppers....



That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Betsey

PS...BTW, Tom, how much do you want for that bridge?

[kayaklover]

See Tom,
Betsey had the real picture. Did you really think you would get by with such a fake looking picture ?

[mandy]

Well, here is the REAL, untouched photo...before it was doctored by unscrupulous teardroppers....



That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Betsey

PS...BTW, Tom, how much do you want for that bridge?

What did that puppy in your right hand do to you?



Inquireing minds want to know.

Mandy

[S. Heisley]

HeHeHeHe! That's a crazy good one! HeHeHeHe!

[Betsey]

Those are all teardrop doggies....the white one in the middle is Lori's. Her name is Nikki. The two puppies are hers. The black dog belonged to another teardropper at the Camp-Outt but wandered by Lori's campsite when the picture was being taken and, well, Lori loves dogs, so she just adopted it as well!

Such a nice gal! And so friendly! Don't all those doggies look happy?

Betsey

[kayaklover]

The one in my right hand (Earl) was a little sleepy-doo that day. he must have been tired from all that camping. Poor little guy. He loves being held like that when he's tired. It's relaxing to him.
Did you happen to notice Sunny's new trick. He can balance his front feet in mid-air , all while being barely held by his back feet. Oh he's a smart little boy. That's the one Tom's taking.

[CAJUN LADY]

Well, here is the REAL, untouched photo...before it was doctored by unscrupulous teardroppers....



That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Betsey

PS...BTW, Tom, how much do you want for that bridge?

See, she was really holding puppies.

They are so adorable. I just knew she wouldn't be smiling that big if she was holding an arm full of (hic) booze.