Homeless friend advice

[DrJean]

What does she use that runs her car battery down? That will determine the size of the portable solar panel. If it's for a smart phone, that only draws about 5 watts and there are rather inexpensive foldable backpack panels to charge such an item.

Flashlight and maybe pepper spray? (maybe to feel safer... don't spray into the wind). Sandwich fixins if she can eat pb&j and bread... water...

Small cash bills... so she doesn't go pulling out $20 s and displaying another $20 for a gas purchase etc and someone else seeing it...

Map? Sign in case she breaks down that says SEND POLICE (not Need Help because a pervert will stop.. but if they think Police are on way they won't stop

yeah and she isn't homeless... she's "in transition"

 

[highdesertranger]

you all are great. highdesertranger

 

[liznshay]

This is all great info! Thanks guys!!! She has her new scripts and will head back in CA for next refill. I think despite Diane being remote she will try it out, at least to meet people and get started.

What is H/D and W/M?

Got her the toilet seat

 

[rvpopeye]

HD=Home Depot
WM=Walmart

 

[liznshay]

What does she use that runs her car battery down?  
Rolling down electric windows. 

 

[ArtW]

And leaving the key 'on'
this could also damage the car's ignition, over time, tell her to use the Accessory' position for rolling down windows, not 'Run'

 

[liznshay]

I'm off exit one as soon as she crosses into ÀZ off I 10

A little thing to consider. I've had a few of the ladies I've helped get started say thanks but your camp to far out. If that happens, I'm sure someone else will take her under wing. We also have dogs in my camp but they don't jump on people.

She is apt to get a little lost, are you able to give approx distance you are off the 10 on exit one. And that is Mojave road right? She loves dogs

 

[sassypickins]

Hi Liznshay,

Thumbs up to you for being such a good 'niece' -- and for your friend to meet up with Diane to get a safe start and not be alone until she is comfortable with living and moving about in the new environment, and practicing safety and security.

I will be at RTR and would love to meet her -- I'm getting up there in the 'goddess age' as I like to think of it, ha ha. I'll keep my eye out for her Ford Escort station wagon. If she wants to share about things she may need but not be able to swing yet, it may fit with things I have and don't need and could bring.

Does she use/have a tablet/laptop or smart phone to access this website and/or a map application? Two years ago I used satellite coordinates Bob provided to pinpoint both the Ehrenberg and Quartzsite camp areas on my phone map.  That really helped me from wondering if I was driving off into the desert never to be seen again.  I don't have the best sense of direction.

There are AZ maps at the Best Western in Ehrenberg (just on the right across the river on I-10, next to the Flying J Truck Stop).  Might not be real detailed but according to the desk clerk free!  May be helpful in getting oriented...

Sassy

 

[akrvbob]

Here is a map that is pretty close to where we meet in Ehrneberg

 

[liznshay]

Awsome. Thanks.

Along the way she needs to stop and sleep, are Flying J's a good safe place to overnight? I want to keep her near the 5 and 10 so she doesn't get lost. And because she can't do the long drives. 

And again this is so incredible! I read a lot of forums and this is the first one I felt like really participating in. It's just so refreshing and real without the uppity stuff, same for the videos...what I really mean to say is it's the people involved and your sincere intentions to make this an all inclusive space, which you have. 

Thanks
Liz

 

[sassypickins]

I try to keep my drive times short and sweet so I have time to stop and smell the roses.  If I'm going from Point A to Point B and I'm not out camping, I may need to stop and sleep, so I'll search out a Walmart or truck stop or casino parking lot.  These are all places I can call and ask ahead of time.

Or, I just pull in and ask and so far, this also works well.  I smile and relate the best I can.  I point out my van so they can see it's not a wreck and if they say yes, I give them a note with my vehicle info and my first name so they can pass it along to the next shift. The last place I did that was at a Pilot Travel Center near Klamath Falls OR.  The gal came outside and showed me a couple of different spots I could choose where it would be quietest.  The next morning she greeted me with a smile and asked if I'd had a nice sleep.  I told her that thanks to her care I felt like I'd spent the night at a 4-star hotel...better!  


To be fair, not every place is like that.  A Walmart may say while they themselves are fine with it and even say where to park, the city policy is 'uh-uh', which means they can't be to blame if there's a knock on the window -- but that's not happened to me so far.  There are online lists for which Walmarts allow RVs and which don't, but I have called a few that don't and found that it was ok.

One casino employee said sure, no problem, then a shift change at 3 am produced someone knocking on my window and telling me I needed to drive up the hill to the RV parking.  Another time a casino employee actually showed me where to park, then later security came by and said I was in the wrong place and pointed me to another place. Things happen.  My best practice is to chill and go with the flow and these two instances are the only problems I've experienced.

So yes, look up possible stops along the route (and check online truck stop reviews), call to see what their policy is and then help your friend map out a route. 

Yes, I agree about this group and I'm glad you happened upon it.  It has been a great help to me, that is for sure.

Sassy

 

[cyndi]

I don't know if anyone has mentions this: freecampsites.net has a roadtrip planner to identify free camping en route
https://freecampsites.net/#!&query=TripPlanner

I use allstays a lot when I am traveling as opposed to looking for a campsite. It's a phone app and costs $10
http://www.allstays.com/DL/

rvparky and campendium are also good resources
http://www.rvparky.com/
https://www.campendium.com/

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

We wouldn't expect her to find us, all the street signs, also known as rock cairns look the same . Someone will go out to the pavement to meet her. I will message my phone number to you, although most everyone has it.
I will be gone from this Sunday til Tuesday but there will be Lori or Wayne if she comes in while I'm gone.

 

[michaelc]

Welcome to the CRVL Forum  Liznshay    

Sounds great! I'm 77 and vehicle home is good, but remember, with age comes problems - the Pottie Problem (PP), fiber in diet (extra fresh fruit and veggies), and staying hydrated (H20 w/ occasional Gatorade.) Watch the SSRI and any BP meds, esp. Alpha blockers.

 

[peachykeen]

liznshay
It's funny about that elderly label...............
The older you (I , we ) get the older old gets !

Boy! You got that right. Mirrors are treacherous suckers aren't they :s

 

[DrJean]

Ah IC... I have one of these, it starts the car from the cigarette lighter.  I think it's called a Mighty Jump pocket car starter.  I think I paid $40. 

It recharges through the usb so she'll need that adapter for the lighter sprocket too.



She can stop at most libraries and use the computer to get on here or elsewhere for help.  If she has the addresses of the websites, a librarian clerk can show her how.

 

[Zizzer_Zazzer_Zuz]

Flash light
head lamp flash light
battery powered radio
small car inverter
battery charger for AA and AAA batteries
Extra rechargable batteries

Plug the inverter in to the cigarette lighter while driving and plug the battery charger in to it to charge the batteries.  Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Inverter-Hol...eywords=power+inverter&refinements=p_89:Aukey

She would need to watch that poweer switch though. This could run down the battery if left on after the car has been turned off.

First aid kit. Nothing scary but a good set of basics is a great idea.
sun screen
antibiotic cream
burn spray
not jus an assortment of bandaids but some real guaz and some tape
anti-itch cream

 

[DrJean]

Oh yeah ... I have crank radio and flashlight (I live in hurricane zone right now)... and countless 1st aid kits... good idea zzz

 

[Cammalu]

Does she have a GPS?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[liznshay]

Does she have a GPS?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

No but, having Diane's number and people to come out is just soooo cool! BTW she told me tonight that she has hope for the first time in seven years!

Big XO to you all,
Liz