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!

[nitrohorse]

Kodimerlyn wrote:

So why don't Canadians do handguns? And do all Canadians feel like you do?

YES!! Guns are just DUMB! I get a CNN feed and there were TWO mass shootings in the US last week! THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN HERE!! The ONLY people who need guns are the military and police...period! Our children are NOT murdered in our schools...EVER!

I'm sorry...because I know this sounds aggressive...I just can't help it....as a Canadian, I will never, EVER understand the American 2nd amendment or the absolute choke-hold that the NRA has on the US...boggles my mind and honestly breaks my heart.

Critternut and others who are solo female (and male) campers...I tip my hat to you!! I hope to have my DH for a very long time but if I did not I know I would follow in your footsteps! You are VERY inspiring to me! HAVE FUN and I sure hope I get to meet you out there one day!

You may want to Google, "School shootings in Canada." I think you're either new to living in Canada or you have your head in the sand.
Secondly, the NRA is made up of American membership. My fellow American NRA members and myself have a choke hold on all of our amendments as our founding fathers wrote them.
Lastly, Canada has a strong French influence. That alone explains the reluctance to guns. France was hesitant to defend it's own country from invasion. It finally took American intervention to free France. So I guess the aversion to guns is ingrained in your heritage...one which is ripe with surrender and complacency. Read the link below. You will learn something about the country in which you live....
Canadian Shootings

[B_s_Bunch]

wintersun wrote:
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. Go ahead and get your attack dog and try to get in a campground. Most do not allow them. Not sure why but they dont. Get a gun even a cap gun. I know what I would do if I heard a gun go off. I honestly do not believe you will have any more trouble than if you just stayed home and stayed bored. Use your womans intuition?? my wife does and for the last 39 years I have come to respect it. Larry

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.

[Kodimerlyn]

So why don't Canadians do handguns? And do all Canadians feel like you do?

YES!! Guns are just DUMB! I get a CNN feed and there were TWO mass shootings in the US last week! THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN HERE!! The ONLY people who need guns are the military and police...period! Our children are NOT murdered in our schools...EVER!

I'm sorry...because I know this sounds aggressive...I just can't help it....as a Canadian, I will never, EVER understand the American 2nd amendment or the absolute choke-hold that the NRA has on the US...boggles my mind and honestly breaks my heart.

Critternut and others who are solo female (and male) campers...I tip my hat to you!! I hope to have my DH for a very long time but if I did not I know I would follow in your footsteps! You are VERY inspiring to me! HAVE FUN and I sure hope I get to meet you out there one day!

[rolling_rhoda]

I sometimes travel alone for a few days at a time. I lack mechanical aptitude, but have a wonderful local dealer who doesn't mind a phone call.

1. I keep in touch. I call or text a family member with my route and destination before hitting the road, and let them know when I've landed. Also make sure they know the name of the CG.

2. I like to know my route and stops (and expected road construction) before starting the engine. Driving alone with no navigator, I don't like surprises.

3. Lots of folks have safety concerns. Basically, it comes down to not making yourself the easiest target. I wouldn't stay anywhere that I didn't feel comfortable. I keep the doors locked whether I'm home or not (a habit I grew up with). Loners are perceived to be easy targets, so I don't strike out alone -- not on foot, on a bike, or boondocking. I keep a charged phone by my bed (to check weather on smart phone), check the local weather each morning and night, and pay close attention to my tires and my fuel gauge. RVing in flash flood and tornado country, I stay well above creek bottoms and dry washes, and ask about storm shelters at check-in.

Wishing you a happy adventure and wonderful memories!!

[joegray]

Lets get some facts straight. IN CANADA guns are NOT ILLegal.

Handguns are not ILLEGAL. Handguns are restricted and regulated (by permit)where you can use and carry them. To gun club ranges and pistol clubs ect. In Canada owning a firearm is a privledge not a right.
I think you would be suprised at the amout of campers in Canada that carry rifles and shotguns when out in the bush. The important thing about carrying a firearm is, it can always be taken away from you and used against you. IMHO you are a lot better using your common sence, camping near others, if you don't like the look of a place, move on. Camping on your own (male or female) should not be a problem if you keep aware of what's around you.

Happy Camping.

[nitrohorse]

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:

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.

You obviously didn't read her first post. She is CANADIAN. We don't do the hand gun thing up here. And NOT just because it is illegal up here.

So why don't Canadians do handguns? And do all Canadians feel like you do?

[doublenot7]

Male or female is irrelevant, dogs do have an Alpha streak in them. Sometimes the Alpha dog is a female. Your dog should naturally look to you as the Alpha of their pack/family.

[MarshaNichols]

I am a single woman, 66 and also have a class B (just over a year old). On the advice of a number of people, I joined RVW...RV for Women...I have gone on 6 events...lots of fun...nice, friendly women. This organization has chapters throughout the US and I believe in Canada. I belong to FreeWheelers (CA). Go on their website, RVW.com. Happy camping!

[Raxus65]

Canadian Rainbirds wrote:

wintersun wrote:
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.

The male Alpha dog thing is a myth. If your dog thought that you were his property you would not be able to train or control him.

Female dogs can also be very protective of the FAMILY of which they are a part.

Size is a big deterrent. The Belgian or German Shepherd would be a good choice, as would something like a boxer, which tend to be very gentle and for the most part are happy to be couch potatoes (don't need a lot of exercise.) but would make the non dog owner quite nervous. They do drool a lot though!

Bullmastiff's are a great breed too! Very laid back and thier size intimidates w/o lifting a paw (which is great cause they are too busy sleeping). Our Magnum is the best dog I have ever had, hands down!

Rax

[Canadian_Rainbi]

wintersun wrote:
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.

The male Alpha dog thing is a myth. If your dog thought that you were his property you would not be able to train or control him.

Female dogs can also be very protective of the FAMILY of which they are a part.

Size is a big deterrent. The Belgian or German Shepherd would be a good choice, as would something like a boxer, which tend to be very gentle and for the most part are happy to be couch potatoes (don't need a lot of exercise.) but would make the non dog owner quite nervous. They do drool a lot though!

[Canadian_Rainbi]

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.

You obviously didn't read her first post. She is CANADIAN. We don't do the hand gun thing up here. And NOT just because it is illegal up here.

[Canadian_Rainbi]

We have a good friend that travelled from BC and/or Alberta (depending where she had found summer locums) to Mexico (Mazatlan) every year, well into her 70' until failing eyesight forced her to stop driving. The worst thing that happened to her was that someone in the park stole her lap top from the dinette--she had left the window open.

You can link to our blog from our profile.

Good luck, Happy Travels. See you on the road somewhere.

[critternut]

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

Thank you!

[TyroneandGladys]

Just a tip for all if your RV has an alarm that can be triggered by a remote put a hook on the wall at the head of the bed then hang it up there when going to bed and hit the panic button if there are any problems at night.

[Escargot]

You are not alone. There are thousands of women traveling solo in their RVs.
I am one of them and closing in on 70. There are several 'women only' groups you may want to join. Occasionally they meet up on the road or have planned gatherings.

My number one rule, and first line of defense is: Trust Your Instinct.
I trust my instinct no matter what. If the situation doesn't feel right, I'm outta there.

I sleep with my charged phone, eyeglasses, and ignition keys within easy reach.
This makes for an easy get-away, and beyond that, I'm not adverse to running down mutant freaks.

I don't carry a gun. If I did, I think there would be a trail of neanderthals left in my wake (no pun intended), so, I don't carry one.

See ya down the road.