RE: Camping alone as a woman

[JemJen24]

 
Your thoughts please...
 
 DH is a field service technician which means he s gone at last minute notice, works most ALL holidays, and has a schedule that changes daily.
 
 This, naturally, makes it difficult to plan road trips out even if it s just for the weekend.
 
 I work for the government, so...needless to say...I have all those great holidays (MLK, Good Friday, Labor Day, etc etc etc).  These holidays allow me to take extended 3 day weekends and I don t want to be bunkered down at home just because DH can t go.
 
 To rememedy this situation, I took the camper out by myself this weekend (well, I had teenage sister and 2 doggies with me) and, I m proud to say, I backed the trailer in, set it up, and took it down all alone.  I only ran into one minor issue, had to call hubby, he explained how to fix the problem, and I went on my way.
 
 Some people have suggested a " method of protection"  i.e...pepper spray, guns, etc.  I am leaning towards pepper spray, a reliable charged cell phone, and my two dogs (a Boxer and a Brittany/Husky mix).  
 
 I feel that I will, more than likely, become more comfortable and confident camping out alone when DH can t go, and am actually looking forward to having the time alone with just me, some good food, hiking trails, and the dogs.
 
 What are your thoughs on this?  Are there any other women here that Pop up camp alone?  Any hints/tricks of the trade?  
 
 Jen

[garym053]

 JemJen24
I read in one of my hundreds of camping books, (hello, my name is Gary and I m addicted to camping!), that suggested that females camping alone should take along a large pair of men s boots (obviously not brand new!) and leave them outside the tent and or camper. Seems like a good decoy!

[Suezyque]

 JemJen24
I have always camped with just my 2 kids.  (started when they were about 5 and 7)  I ve never had any trouble with anyone bothering us.  Most people you meet camping are GREAT.
 I learned to tow, back up, set up, etc by myself.  The kids are 12 and 14 now and are a big help with the work.  
 A woman can do ANYTHING she sets her mind to!

[JemJen24]

 JemJen24
Not a bad idea, I could leave my hubby s size 42 pants lying next to his size 14 shoes (eyeroll).  Ofcourse, people may ask me what the tarp on the ground is doing next to the two canoes.  (ha!) []

[Bearnkat]

 JemJen24
Hi Jennifer,
 
 Personnally I don t feel you d run into any problems if you stay at the main-stream (commercial, state parks) facilities. RVers are great folks and are always there to lend a hand and help.
 
 Way to go on your first solo trip!
 
 C & T

[Trlrboy]

 JemJen24
Unless you tell people you meet camping that you are all alone, I think most people will assume you are there with someone.  Don t bring it up and it s doubtful that anyone would ask.
 
 Camping by yourself occasionally is good for the soul.  It gives you a chance to get away from everything familiar and do something just for you (and the dogs of course).  Keep it up.

[tlhdoc]

 JemJen24
My DH doesn t camp.  Sometimes my Mother or a friend goes with us, but most of the time it is me and the kids.  We started tent camping alone 10 years ago and now PU camp alone.  I haven t had a problem.  If you are planning on using pepper spray you should practice spraying it to see how it works.  Many people end up spraying themselves

[Camperroo]

 JemJen24
Well you could do what they do in the movies...tape record your husband s voice to specific problems and have his voice boom out with....get your $#% dog off my site...or...if you kids cut through here one more time...or...honey where s the AK57[]
 
 nahhh seriously[]  security is always good to think about whether alone or with someone.   I think in a family style campground you wouldn t really have to be concerned vs. going somewhere primitive.  Cell phones are always good, a whistle is good too, pepper spray in the eyes wouldn t be something pleasant to encounter!  Most important is get a feel of your surroundings...if your gut is telling you something isn t right...don t stay.

[raven339]

 JemJen24
I personally think that a Taser is a good, non-lethal, personel defense weapon...
 
 Although the others are all good suggestions...
 
 Skol...

[JemJen24]

 JemJen24
Ok...so let s see here...
 
 1 Taser
 1 Whisle
 1 can of pepper spray
 2 pit bulls, rotweilers, or dobies
 1 pair of baggie hubby jeans
 3 handgranades
 1 rocket launcher
 and
 7 land mines
 
 
 yep...got  em.  [8D]
 
 Sorry, couldn t resist.  LOL []

[Acts 2:38 girl]

 JemJen24
Don t forget the bear trap!  []  
 I ve never had the opportunity to go by myself, but it would be fun, I think.  Although, in this family I won t be alone for the next 10 years or so!!  So, I d definatly have a few tag-alongs!!  Which is OK, because my skills at fire-starting are nill.  We d all have to sit around the lantern at night!![]  
 I can t wait to get going this year.  They boys are asking me DAILY, " When are we going camping"   It s getting me a little anxious myself!

[cyclone]

 JemJen24
Just want to add one note here:  the cell phone is a good idea, but please consider that you might venture into areas where there is no signal available.  Enjoy!

[Opie431]

 JemJen24
We have met women camping and backpacking alone all over the US.
 When we go camping at the nearest state park my husband will often drive from the park to work and back in the evening, 50 miles a day in our gas guzzler. I have only our cat for protection  and I do not imagine he would be much help.

[myersnest]

 JemJen24
I am a single Mom and camp with my 2 younger children all the time.  We have never had a problem.  We also do a lot of camping with my sister and her family, so that always helps.  My brother in law is a police officer, so we usually feel VERY safe with him there.  I also enjoy camping with them cause he can t stand me doing stuff alone, so he usually insists on helping set up and take down!!!  But we have made several trips on our own and we have only met wonderful people who also " pitch"  in if we are having difficulty.  I remember having a hard time with the carefree awning, one of the pins kept sliding out and someone walked right over, introduced himself and his family and 2 minutes later, I was enjoying a cup of coffee with my new friends.  (and the awning was up and running!)
 
 I try not to let the kids " explore"  as much when it s just us, I usually go with them on their " explore"  time.  But other than that, we have a wonderful time.
 
 Happy Camping!

[maromeo]

 JemJen24
I tent camped alone and with my son alone while he was young for years. I was one who travelled with the mens  boots and stuck them outside the tent.  I never encountered any problems other than a snake in the campsite. I met the nicest people and enjoyed it quite a bit.
 
 In fact just yesterday, I set up the PU myself, just to see if I could do it with my now arthritis that has set in. I DID IT! My concern were the shepherd poles on the bunk end, but I managed it. I had my husband there just to make sure I didn t injure myself. I usually help him set up and take down but I needed to know if I could manage by myself.
 
 Enjoy camping!
 
 Mary Romeo