woman travelling alone

[critternut]

Hello all, newbie Canuck just joined this weekend. After tons of research, test-drives and formal inspections, I've finally bought a wee Class B for myself. Any constructive advice for a woman travelling solo? I've heard everything from "you're brave/insane" to "stay in Canada only". I am pushing 50, have common sense and mechanical aptitude, so I don't see what the big deal is. I've chosen Good Sam over CAA(AAA), so that's a start. (A reminder that guns are out of the question here.) Thanks to all!

[paulcardoza]

A few weeks ago, I watched in awe as a guy drove into the site in front of us. He was a single father with two kids, 7 & 10 years old. Over the several days he was there, he set up and broke down the campsite himself, cooked and cleaned up, managed the campfire, etc., etc., etc.... All from the confines of a wheelchair, as he was paralyzed from the waste down.

After talking with him a bit and seeing the absolutely fantastic, do anything attitude he had, I will never moan and groan about camping tasks again.....

A healthy single woman with a good attitude should have no problems..... ENJOY EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

critternut wrote:
Hello all, newbie Canuck just joined this weekend. After tons of research, test-drives and formal inspections, I've finally bought a wee Class B for myself. Any constructive advice for a woman travelling solo? I've heard everything from "you're brave/insane" to "stay in Canada only". I am pushing 50, have common sense and mechanical aptitude, so I don't see what the big deal is. I've chosen Good Sam over CAA(AAA), so that's a start. (A reminder that guns are out of the question here.) Thanks to all!

[Goatee]

If I read the OP correctly, after the son came to the door with the shotgun the encounter was over. No shots needed to be fired.
Having said that, my husband and I do not travel with a gun, although it wouldn't be a bad idea.
One time we stopped at a rest area and were checking the connection of our toad when a guy came over and was giving us a wild story about
one of the truck drivers (he pointed to)quitting his job right then and was giving away the company cash. If we would go over the guy would give us $100. Of course, we declined, but this was in the middle of the day in a rest area where it would have been very difficult to have done anything bad and not be seen. So we never did figure out what it was about.

[Jim_Shoe]

As you've pointed out, handguns are out of the question and, frankly, unless you're prepared to pull the trigger, you may just be arming somebody that didn't have one before.
Stop where somebody is minding the store. KOAs( for example) are located all over the US and most have someone on site 24/7. Order a free copy of their directory at "WWW.KOA.COM". Give them a call at your potential destinations, explain your travel situation and see if they have somebody on duty and awake 24/7 or an emergency number to call. Most all that I've stayed in just have one road in and out, and it goes right by the office. And there are other campers close by. Thieves also prefer multiple exits and no witnesses.
Nothing is foolproof, but in the long run its wise to make yourself less of a target than someone else.
Above all else, if it doesn't "feel" right, move on down the road.

[pianotuna]

Hi wintersun,

Excellent post.

[wintersun]

And if the husband and wife with their dog had a gun do you really think that they could have defended themselves? Trained law enforcement officers know better than to engage in a gunfight when someone had the drop on them. Most of the deaths by handguns are suicides and people shot by a spouse or friend or playmate by accident.

Guns give people a false sense of security and if you shoot someone in most states regardless of the circumstances you will spend the rest of your money and much of your life in the courts. Only law enforcement officers get to shoot people with impunity.

For a single woman a large male dog like a German shepard or a Rottweiler will have a protector and a companion.

The idea of being protected by a gun and being able to survive a shootout is a very American male fantasy promoted by Hollywood and the NRA and the gun manufacturers. Good for corporate profits but not at all good for society as a whole - should anyone really care anymore.

[WoodGlue]

liquidspaceman wrote:
In my opinion, the only correct answer is to get a small handgun and keep it in a safe in your RV/trailer and keep it at your side when camping. Learn how to use it properly. Go to the range a lot and practice pulling it and shooting it.

I have gone out camping in the boonies for 25+ years. Sometimes alone and sometimes with family. There are lots of good people out there but there is only ONE TIME required for you to become a victim/statistic.

There was a time when I was with my family (wife, son and daughter) and we ran into some guys while camping in the woods. These guys came over and automatically my spidey sense started tingling. They told me they wanted to show me where some free firewood was. I said, "No thanks, we have some good firewood." They were insistant on taking me to show me where some firewood was. I kept saying no thank you but they would not take no for an answer. It got to the point where it was just plain weird.

I don't think they knew my son was with me because he showed himself in the door with a shotgun and said, "thank you for the offer gentlemen, we don't need any wood though, we're good." Then we packed up and left right after that and drove to another site.

I am quite positive that those two guys wanted to lure me away from my family to possibly cause me harm and rob, rape, steal or kill. I know that many of you have never been through anything like this so you will not feel a need to ever carry a weapon. That is fine as it is your right to do so, but I will say that I am happy my son was "packing" on that day and from now on I never leave home without carrying a sidearm.

Your campground is your home. If you would defend your home, there's no reason you shouldn't be defend your camp. All it takes is one foul encounter to end up in a bad situation. There are good people out there but there are also bad people. I'm never afraid of a bear or a coyote coming near my camp, but it's the two legged variety that I worry about the most.

Better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it. I recently read a story about a husband and wife and dog who were all shot and killed while camping in their RV. They weren't doing anything but just setting up. There are weirdos out there - just saying. You don't need to be Rambo, you just need to be realistic.

This is exactly the same story as some guys tried to pull on my parents! Reading it gave me tingles because my Dad still talks about it as if it were yesterday!

WoodGlue

[liquidspaceman]

In my opinion, the only correct answer is to get a small handgun and keep it in a safe in your RV/trailer and keep it at your side when camping. Learn how to use it properly. Go to the range a lot and practice pulling it and shooting it.

I have gone out camping in the boonies for 25+ years. Sometimes alone and sometimes with family. There are lots of good people out there but there is only ONE TIME required for you to become a victim/statistic.

There was a time when I was with my family (wife, son and daughter) and we ran into some guys while camping in the woods. These guys came over and automatically my spidey sense started tingling. They told me they wanted to show me where some free firewood was. I said, "No thanks, we have some good firewood." They were insistant on taking me to show me where some firewood was. I kept saying no thank you but they would not take no for an answer. It got to the point where it was just plain weird.

I don't think they knew my son was with me because he showed himself in the door with a shotgun and said, "thank you for the offer gentlemen, we don't need any wood though, we're good." Then we packed up and left right after that and drove to another site.

I am quite positive that those two guys wanted to lure me away from my family to possibly cause me harm and rob, rape, steal or kill. I know that many of you have never been through anything like this so you will not feel a need to ever carry a weapon. That is fine as it is your right to do so, but I will say that I am happy my son was "packing" on that day and from now on I never leave home without carrying a sidearm.

Your campground is your home. If you would defend your home, there's no reason you shouldn't be defend your camp. All it takes is one foul encounter to end up in a bad situation. There are good people out there but there are also bad people. I'm never afraid of a bear or a coyote coming near my camp, but it's the two legged variety that I worry about the most.

Better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it. I recently read a story about a husband and wife and dog who were all shot and killed while camping in their RV. They weren't doing anything but just setting up. There are weirdos out there - just saying. You don't need to be Rambo, you just need to be realistic.

[WoodGlue]

A pair of mens shoes by the door mat can also make someone think twice.

WoodGlue

[Janss]

Not a book, but here's a website that may help you with Canadian boondocking sites:
http://freecampsites.net/Canada

[critternut]

Hello and thanks again for these new replies, and for the ladies who have written.

I've been hoarding all the beginner books in the library, poring over "Complete Idiot's Guide to RVing", and was quite enthused about a boondocking book, but it doesn't have Canadian listings. (I know about the Walmarts, etc.) Not surprising, as our publishing industry's really suffering.

I'll be scouring out the old girl soon and will try a couple of trial trips. If I could get up to NWT or Yukon T this year for The Longest Day, I'd be thrilled.

Cheers and thanks to all!

[RVerDiane]

At the age of 61 I took an 11 month solo trip. I have a class C so if I feel uncomfortable I am self contained, as are you.

Trust your gut when choosing a camp spot. I always stopped by 6PM and later 5PM so I could get settled before dark. I started my trip in Nov so night came a lot earlier then than later in the trip. I traveled with 2 cats which would be no help for protection. I did put out at least 2 lawn chairs, placed 2 coffee cups on the picnic table when appropriate. Just the common sense you talk about.

I love your slogan and that's just what I did. I'd been thinking of taking such a trip for a long time, so I finally took it. I stopped when I felt the time was right but I miss it.

enjoy yourself and go for it.

[robbins1]

I'm single and travel alone in a B. Pushed past 50 about 7 years ago. I have fewer safety concerns while on the road than I do at home. A can of hornet/wasp spray or oven cleaner is a very familiar item for me. More so than a handgun would be. And my fire extinguisher is already mounted handily by the door, which I do keep locked after dark. You'll be fine! If you come to Maine look me up. I'm on the site called boondockers welcome. We offer free parking spots for a night or more for like minded travelers.

[tpi]

I agree on the dog. My sister travels w/ two good size dogs and has had no issues. She loves dogs though so that is not a stretch for her.

With "critternut" as a name, dogs should come easy. Hopefully at least medium size will fit in the B motorhome.

[wintersun]

Get a medium sized male dog (gender is very important) that looks fierce but has a good disposition - herding dogs like the all black Belgian sheepdogs are a very good choice. This size dog will intimidate most folks and be able to leap into the motorhome and otherwise take care of itself. A male dog will consider himself to be the alpha dog and you his property which he will instinctively want to protect. The black fur really helps as well. People will be more fearful around a black Belgian or German shepherd than around a white Samoyed of the same size.

Think about all the places you have gone alone (bank, supermarket, work, hotels on business, airports, train stations, school) and realize that you were not attacked much less killed. Traveling around by RV is only different in terms of adding the possibility of breaking down on a remote little traveled section of highway. Avoid those routes or caravan those sections of road with others and you will be fine.

[critternut]

Hi everyone, and sorry for being late to reply. I guess I don't have my settings right, as the forum didn't notify me that I had any response.

Huge and sincere thanks for all the comments and some INGENIOUS suggestions! I think the biggest mistake I made is to tell my friends I'm doing this...they've flipped out, and it's been a real damper.

They worry because I am a very friendly, smiley person, and they think that'll attract deadbeats. But NICE does not equal STUPID.

Thank you all for your positive "can do" attitude. What a wonderful resource this community is.

Gratefully,
Critternut