Security & Camping alone

[Laredo-TNT]

There are a few additions I'd make to the comments above.

Keep a good first aid kit with you at all times. It need not be large or bulky; I have two. One fits in an altoids tin, and the other (which includes an ace bandage against sprains) fits in a $4 camera case that slips over my belt. Both include things like Neosporin, band-aids, alcohol pads, tweezers and needle (for splinters), moleskin, and sun-block (I squeeze it into a hotel-shampoo bottle, and I have a similar small bottle of hand sanitizer). In the small one I taped a needle to a dental-floss lid and stuck a small safety pin inside the container as well. I also have an inexpensive LED push-button flashlight in the small one.

Never go anywhere without a knife. If you can, try to take a multi-tool; Leatherman tools, which are wonderful, can be had inexpensively by buying them from NTSA salvage sales -- there are dealers at the oddest places, like gem and mineral shows, county fairs, or even on E-bay. A Ka-bar knife is not necessary; a pocketknife (with a blade that locks, please, lest you pinch/cut your fingers) can be as small as 1 1/4'' inches and still be extremely useful.

Wear sturdy shoes (support and protection for your feet is way more important than looks).

There is a wonderful website for outdoor gear at www.equipped.com.

Finally, if you're carrying a weapon, that's fine. Be absolutely certain you're not only trained in how to use it but confident that you can and will use it without hesitating should the need arise. Otherwise it can be taken from you and used against you. People who will commit burglary and/or assault will NOT hesitate. You must understand that, and be prepared to act. I would recommend that if you can do so you should take a basic self-defense course (no, you don't have to be a black belt. Yes, you do have to understand the importance of your mindset in defending yourself)!

 

[CAJUN LADY-TNT]

I have also found truck stops to be OK for a little boondocking.

Be careful doing that, I drove a 18 wheeler coast to coast and there were some of those I wouldn't stay in. And I carried a .357 Mag under my truck seat.

I agree with Johnny. Even Casino parking lots are not as safe as they look.

Here's a story, about a lady from my home town, that ended sadly, but it is not a camping story. Mrs. Distefano and her husband had been to the Casino in Marksville, LA and her husband decided to play awhile longer while she decided to take a break and run to Wal-Mart just down the street. Well, they had parked in the Parking Garage (it was 10:30 a.m.) and she walked to her car, got her keys out and a young man either approached her from the side or back with a tire iron, hit her repeatedly until she was unconsious, put her in the trunk of her car and had the nerve to use her credit card at Wal-Mart while she was dying in the trunk of her own car. This was broad daylight! They caught this scum bag on camera at Wal-Mart and was able to identify him on the local news. They found her body 2 days later. This was a brand new parking garage with security cameras sitting there but not hooked up yet and no Security Patrol. This piece of crap person had been playing in the casino at the same time as Mrs. Distefano. The police don't think he singled out her due to other facts but feel she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Another piece of info...this scum bag just got back from a tour of Iraq and had told him mother that very same day, "I FEEL LIKE TODAY IS GONNA BE THE DAY SOMEONE DIES". Sad -- so very sad.

This is why I can't say this enough - - BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS AT ALL TIMES. I always anticipate a situation before a situation occurs. This is something I have always done because of playing tournament softball almost my entire life. Some of you will understand what I mean by this, some won't.

Another bit of info...I'm not a paranoid person, just a very cautious one.

Keep those good bits of safety advice coming. I love hearing what others do.

 

[madjack]

...this one needs to be a sticky...I can sum up the entire "camping safely alone" subject in two words...SITUATIONAL AWARENESS...much as Becca stated above........
madjack

 

[Mark & Andrea Jones]

OK, back to the camping subject.

This past weekend, we (no, I wasn't camping alone) were camping at Breaks Interstate Park on the border of VA and KY (yes, there really is such a place!). We have been camping there for years and really enjoy the place.

On Friday night, my hubby and I were eating dinner in the lodge at the park and commenting on the rather large raccoon that was peering thru the window, when the waitress says "Oh, have you seen the bears yet?" It turns out that there were a mama bear and several cubs and yearlings (is that what the previous year's cubs are called??) wandering about the lodge - frequently showing up on the outside deck of the restaurant.

When we went back to the campground (about a mile away) and went to bed, all I could think about was "when are the bears going to show up?". I didn't sleep too well that night and on the 2 am trip to the bathhouse, the dog went with me! Caitie (my dog) is probably the best bear repellent that I could have! AND she'd wake up all our camping neighbors in the process, so very few would actually sleep thru the visit.

Funny thing was that none of the trash cans were bear-proofed, so this was obviously a new problem. However, we didn't see any evidence of bears getting into the cans either.

A dog is probably the best supplement to a person's situational awareness that you could have. Their sense of hearing, smell, etc is so much greater than ours. Even a dog that would lick someone to death is much better to have around than none at all. At least no one would be able to sneak up on you unawares. AND a friendly dog tends to make friends with the other campers nearby, so you'd be more likely to get a response from the other nearby campers, if someone decided to mess with your person or your stuff.

Andrea.

 

[MOKI SEAKER]

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

 

[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-TNT]

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-TNT]

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-TNT]

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-TNT]

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-TNT]

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-TNT]

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-TNT]

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-TNT]

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.