ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] traveling alone
Re: [endurance] traveling alone
Samm C Bartee (bartesc@mail.auburn.edu)
Wed, 17 Jan 1996 12:39:20 -0600 (CST)
Hey! As a female that travels to rides alone or with another female, I
know exactly what you are talking about. I have had several scarey
incidents over the years, due in part to driving trucks that have a few
problems. I too, carry a gun. My dad was a cop, and I learned at an
early age how to handle guns. I also train dogs, so naturally, I travel
with dogs a good bit. Over the years, of the times that I thought that I
would need to drag out the gun, I have been fortunate enough to have a
dog be just the protection that I needed.
I think that attitude is the main thing you need to keep in mind when
travelling alone. Don't come across as a victim, keep a level head, and
just *pay attention to what you are doing*. Try and not put yourself
into a position that you have to defend. If you feel trapped, **think**
don't just shut down. Travel with a cell phone, and if you feel like you
need to , just program 911 into it, and all you have to do is press the
send button. Try to stay on well marked highways, even if you think you
know a short-cut. Buy gas when you get to the 1/2 tank mark if you are
unfamiliar with the route that you are taking. If you are like me and
enjoy traveling at night, think about what you are doing before you pull
into a service station, or get off a particular exit. I try and stick to
busy exits--ones with truck stops, etc. If I pass a gas station and
something doesn't look right, I will circle through and give it a good
glance before I stop. If I still don't like what I see, I go to the next
exit. If you have to stop on the side of the road, notify someone--just
in case--If you carry a gun, keep it on your person, not unloaded in the
glove box. If someone stops to help, try and keep on your toes.
If all of this sounds a little paranoid, it is. You never know these
days who is nice and who is the dude with the serious mental problem. A
girl that I know was robbed at gun point by a lady with an infant. You
just can't be too careful these days. But, if you pay attention, there
is no reason that you can't go to rides and have a lot of fun traveling
there. Good luck
APPY TRAILS
SAMM C. BARTEE