Hello to all! I'm new around here, but I had to jump in on the converstation. First, I want to say how nice it is to see other gals who camp alone! I only know one other gal that would, so to say the least I'm thrilled you're here!
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Not only have I camped alone with kids, but also by myself. Also, having worked as a home health nurse, I've been in areas of St. Louis that are the worst of the worst. They shoot at the cops if they drive down certain streets, I'm not kiding! I don't get scared easily. Someone pointed out how you act aka body language. You have to be a confident women to go alone, so right there you're showing you're not a wimp! Having on sneakers, not fashionable footwear means you're able to run. Don't dress all girly & available looking, especially if you're in an area with a lot of people. What I'm saying is don't look like a victim.
My weapon of choice is my brain & a baseball bat, cane, whatever is closest when I pack. Knowing anatomy helps. If a head pokes in your door, fingers to the eyes is easy. A punch to the windpipe is better than trying to punch the face. Easier to hurt it & you don't break your fist! A punch in the chest is better than the belly, you can knock the wind out 'em. If you're really good, you'll catch a rib & break it, maybe even puncture a lung. In a teardrop, you may not be able to get a good swing on a bat, so be prepared to use your hands, unless you have a gun & intend on using it. A cop friend told me the worst thing you can do is point a gun & not use it. It's a good way to lose your gun. A shot in the dirt is better than none. Remember, if you spray pepper spray at them, you're going to get it too, as you're in a confined space. You're mostly left with your hands. Know how to use them. The other easy place to hurt a man is his man parts. I recall catching Oprah one day & she had an old woman on who took down a burglar who tried to attack her. When asked how she accomplished this, she replied "honey, I grabbed him by his *stuff* & hung on for dear life! She squeezed & twisted until he hit the floor, LOL! When I worked in a hospital, sometimes we'd get men patients who had surgery in that area. Believe me, nothing keeps a man off his feet like having his 'business' injured. Be mean, fight dirty & holler like crazy! Moral of the story, don't ever make a nurse mad, we know how to hurt you!
Couldn't resist that one!
A good thing at home as well as camping is to leave a pair of mens shoes outside the door. The larger the size, the better. Believe it or not, the cops even say it is an effective deterrant. My girlfriend whose husband wears a size 14 can testify to that! She leave his dirty workboots outside the door. She's never had a problem! Like others have said, make it look like someone is with you. I always keep 2 chairs out. Go so far as to leave a glass or something by it, like someone will be right back.
An area I like to camp in didn't have 911 until the last year or so. I think I'd check to make sure there is that service in the area. If not, make sure to get the local sheriff's number. Here's a link to some special cell numbers you may not know exist, like *55, the number to call on a cellphone instead of 911 in some states. Make sure to scroll down to see other useful info, like the 511 number.
http://www.ou.edu/oupd/highway-cell.htm
Especially when with my kids, I'd let the rangers know I was alone with them, so they'd keep an eye out. MO state parks have always been real good about that. I much prefer these days to go where there isn't anyone else. If they're coming by car, I'll hear 'em coming down the dirt road or on the gravel bar. It's hard to be quiet walking through rocks. I feel pretty safe like that.
Well, hope I haven't scared you off, I really am a nice person! I just refuse to live in fear. I'm a free spirit & go where I please. I have a blast! Hope to meet some of you! Sorry for the long post, just thought I'd share. There's too many weirdos & other sorts out there!
Marianne
