new and ever so ready

[tylergirl72]

Hello. I'm new to all of this. I am dreaming and planning. Looking for class c rv or a van. Willing to do it all on my own. I am in a soulsuking marriage to a mentally abusive man who I'm finding out has done nothing but lie to me. Apparently I'm that slow to this knowledge lol. Any way I have this dream to travel like I've never done. I'm making small preparations such as ordering atlases, looking for areas that I might enjoy and sending off for info. Downsizing what I have and now just waiting for my 16 year old to graduate. So OK have lots of time. I do have concerns which most have been answered on this website but what I'm worried about is I'm going to be alone with my Lil dog I'm in my fourties and will divorced when I'm out so how do I protect myself. When I see an area I want to see and stay for a day or so how do I protect myself from put it bluntly mean people. Lol. It sounds ridiculous but its a concern. Also what did y'all do to prepare yourself. And your pet. Thanks in advance

 

[rvwandering]

&nbsp;Welcome tylergirl!&nbsp; I hope that you get out of your current situation - it does not sound good. I can't give any advice about traveling by yourself but I can tell you we've never had any trouble at all. I think that it's pretty safe as long as you take normal precautions. <br><br>&nbsp;There are a lot of woman who travel alone. Many belong to this forum so you should get some good advice. Also do a google search for woman rvers and loners on wheels.

 

[bee]

Here are a couple of basic defense weapons that are nice in that If the police ask if you have any weapons in the vehicle you can say no.<br><br>I always recommend bear spray as good self defense. &nbsp;The reason being it will work on basically any&nbsp;mammal, humans, dogs, wolfs, bears etc. &nbsp;It also has range and the effects aren't permanent. &nbsp;It is not treated like pepper spray (even though it has the same active ingredients). &nbsp;You can even take it over the boarder into&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;without issue(unlike pepper spray). &nbsp;One downside is if your dog gets an indirect wiff I have no idea how he may react.<br><br>Kitchen knives can be used for self defense and will not attract attention. &nbsp;They too can be taken over the boarder without hassle. &nbsp;Just keep one in easy reach.<br><br>Long maglites are a classic clubbing tool as well, and they also serve double purpose since a flashlight is quite useful.<br><br>The best thing though is to avoid confrontation. &nbsp;I always try to keep a low profile, not draw&nbsp;unnecessary&nbsp;attention. &nbsp;I try to act like I belong.<br><br><br>As far as pets make sure your dog is well trained. &nbsp;A dog may be perfectly behaved when in the city dealing with traffic, but not so much when seeing a bear for the first time in YellowStone.<br>Good luck

 

[James AKA Lynx]

How do you defend yourself? You learn how to hurt people with 1 hit AND do it. It is Easy, I can teach you in less than 20 min's. Are you in Tx's?<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[highdesertranger]

good advice bee but I have a question.&nbsp; when I drove to Alaska in 96 I was told that bear spray was not allowed in Canada.&nbsp; my shotgun was ok but bear spray wasn't.&nbsp; has the law changed?&nbsp; I just bought the spray in Alaska and gave it away to a fellow prospector when I left.&nbsp; mag lights work good also.&nbsp; when I had my auto shop there was a county sheriff who was a regular customer when I showed him my fancy new rechargeable stinger flashlight he said they are cool but no good for self defense that's why he carried a mag lite.&nbsp; so now even though I have 2 stingers I still carry my mag lite.&nbsp; highdesertranger

 

[tylergirl72]

Lynx yes I'm in Texas lol. Thanks for all the ideas. Please keep them coming since I am making list and getting ideas. I can obtain a gun but would rather not have one on me.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

If at all possible, use the nike defense, or the goodyear defense if you are in your vehicle.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>Run or drive away <img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" class="bbc_img">&nbsp; <br><br>If not, bear or pepper spray are good options.&nbsp; There is also a special technique (mastered by israeli special forces i think).&nbsp; Its called the nut kick....<img src="/images/boards/smilies/sneaky.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br>There are some good blogs out there by women alone on the road.&nbsp; Im a man and i have read them from start to finish and gotten a lot out of them, but i imagine a woman would get more.<br><br>Here is one: http://suanneonline.blogspot.com/2010/02/safety-and-security.html<br><br>

 

[Stargazer]

The Canadian government has a good website that tells what's legal. Bear spray is not.

As for safety, it's no different than when you're in a house or apartment. In fact, I feel safer in my van; I can leave at any time. You know how to keep yourself safe--do that. Eight months in my van, traveling and parked, as a solo female, and I've never had a problem. There are "mean people" everywhere, including on this forum. However, a person can't get your goat if you don't tell them where it's tied.

Good luck!

 

[James AKA Lynx]

A Gun is a deterrent. It takes over 1 second to deploy a concealed gun. Once shown, people usually run. It helps if people know that you carry. (but you are not to tell people) Much better to learn how to use your body for defense FIRST. <br><br>Get one to carry big enough to kill bigger animals and one that you can shoot. Black bears are getting bad in some areas. 38 or bigger.<br><br>I am 6'4" and I feel safer in the woods than in a shopping mall.<br><br>James AKA Lynx

 

[Terry]

having structural defects making me disabled, I think having a walking staff is a pretty good idea. You can find youtube videos to learn how to handle one when needed for defense and it is a tool, not a weapon.

 

[ilovemyvan]

The best advice I can give you&nbsp; is "Do not behave/look like a victim" Act assertive, even if you are not feeling it. There are predators out there looking for a certain type of person. Don't be that person. If you are in a situation don't show your fear, defuse the situation if you can, appear calm not wimpy. If that doesn't work, kick him&nbsp;where it hurts&nbsp;WITHOUT HESITATION, it's not the time to be a nice, polite little girl. Twice in my life I found myself in pretty dicey situations (not related to van dwelling at all) I am convinced that my 'don't mess with me' attitude saved me.&nbsp;Convince yourself that you are not a victim and chances are you won't be. I'm only 5 feet tall so I can only count on my attitude, oh and of course a good pepper spray.<br><br>All the best to you.<br><br>Nicole<br><br><br><br><br><br>

 

[OregonEllen]

Take some advice from an old lady who has lived a hard life. &nbsp;It's a wonder I've lived this long. <br><br>Get a gun and then get someone to show you how to use it and go out and practice. &nbsp;Get a concealed carry permit. &nbsp;You don't need a big ol' blunderbuss to protect yourself----a small .25 will be good enough. &nbsp;A small calibre gun ricochets around inside the body bouncing off bone and can do more damage than a big ole kick-ass gun that will blow a hole clean through somebody and be harder for you to hold steady. Women handle small guns better and the more comfortable you are with it, the less likely you'll be to hurt somebody when you didn't need to. Or to hurt yourself, for that matter. &nbsp;A small .25 fits nicely in your hand, pocket or purse, too. &nbsp; Don't ever take it out unless you know you're going to have to use it. &nbsp;That's like if somebody breaks into your car/van/motorhome or what have you, because I guarantee you they're going to hurt or kill you if they get in without you inviting them. &nbsp;Mostly, if you're inside your vehicle and keep the door locked, though, you'll be fine. &nbsp;<br><br>Don't talk to people about having a gun. &nbsp;They don't need to know and you're better off if they don't know. <br><br>I'm going to be traveling with a gun my son calls a "baby 9mm" and a shotgun. &nbsp;I've never had to use a gun yet and hope I never do have to but I can tell you for sure that after what's happened to me when I didn't have one, I'll never be without one again. &nbsp;And if push comes to shove, I'm not going to be a victim.&nbsp;<br><br>My condolences about your marriage. &nbsp;I went through some like that, and the last experience nearly cost me my life, but I got counseling and my whole life changed for the better after that. Feel free to private message me anytime. &nbsp;It sounds like you're doing all the right things toward getting out of a bad situation. &nbsp;Just don't give up hope and keep on working toward where you want to be. &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br><br><br>

 

[OregonEllen]

By the way, keep watching craigslist because I've found some awesome deals on there. &nbsp;When you have the money you need, just see if you can bargain on something if it's a little spendy but usually what you find on there is really well-priced already. &nbsp;I've even seen some awesome free offers now and then.<br><br>

 

[offroad]

wonder about this. transporting guns between states is breaking a few laws. if no one knows then fine. get pulled over once for speeding and asked to do a search, and you are screwed.&nbsp;<br><br>why no discussion of this? &nbsp;am i ignorant?

 

[psytechguy]

re: transporting firearms between states

http://www.cjrpc.com/interstate_1.htm

 

[TxGypsy]

I'm pretty sure we have the same hometown&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/wink.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img">&nbsp; I'd say that you ended up with my ex except he is still sponging off of me every chance he gets.<br><br>There are lots of folks and businesses in your area that would be delighted to teach you how to safely and competently use a firearm. &nbsp;Being able to make a good tight grouping(where the bullets hit) will make you less nervous.<br><br>As stated previously....don't act like a victim. &nbsp;There are signals that predators pick up on. &nbsp;Walk with confidence. &nbsp;Keep your head up and alert, but not frantically looking around. &nbsp;Be aware of your surroundings. &nbsp;Generally speaking you are much safer out in the country than in town. &nbsp;You can see em coming. &nbsp;I highly recommend taking a few self protection classes...usually offered at karate studios. &nbsp;I took a couple and I now know some brutal ways to put a lot of hurt on someone.<br><br>Safety around wild animals is pretty much the same thing. &nbsp;Stay alert, look confident. &nbsp;Don't take a small little yapping dog, or as a friend of mine says....snack sized. &nbsp;Love my mini-schnauzer, but I would not ever take him on a hike in an area with large predators. &nbsp;I also don't let him run around off-leash. &nbsp;Lovable he is....bright he's not. &nbsp;Whenever I go hiking I take a hiking stick with me that has a pointed end(take off the snow disk attachment). &nbsp;If worst comes to worst, stick the pointy end into whatever is threatening you.<br><br>You can do it! &nbsp;I'll be 42 next month and I travel solo all the time. &nbsp;With the recent purchase of my camper van I'll be traveling almost full time. &nbsp;I've been spending my winters down in Mexico by myself for several years. &nbsp;I find that I avoid a lot of problems by not looking rich and not doing foolish things. &nbsp;I'm rarely out at night by myself and I don't become inebriated in any way. &nbsp;Those 3 things will avoid lots of problems. &nbsp;Good luck!

 

[offroad]

so read the rules. you can own a shotgun. and lock it in a container in the trunk. &nbsp; thats good for interstate travel.&nbsp;<br><br>if you need to keep it nearby to use it, rules change completely. in some states you can be arrested for having it available to use without having a hunting licence or some kind of permit.&nbsp;

 

[TxGypsy]

A shotgun locked in the trunk is useless. &nbsp;Kind of like an unloaded gun with a trigger lock on it....makes a danged awkward club, but that's about it. &nbsp;I guess the best plan would be to avoid states with stupid laws.

 

[psytechguy]

Depending on where you travel, if you have a concealed carry permit, then most states will have some sort of reciprocity agreement with other states.

If you have a license or are considering getting one, click on the state it's from to see what other states it's good for:

http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_reciprocity_maps.html

For instance, if you have a Texas resident permit, then you're generally good to go, except for the West coast, some New England states, and Illinois.

ETA:

This is for handguns carried on your person. Different states will have different laws concerning long guns.

 

[Half_Pint]

Well while you are moving physically you are only worried about people and for that wasp spray right to the eyes, that stuff is cheap readily available and sprays 20 feet with accuracy.<br><br>Personally I don't understand why people are so dang gun happy, if someone breaks into my van I can defend myself just as easily with my boot knife as I can with a gun and I am not going to make my tinnitus any worse with the knife, and you know what if you are out in the woods and a bear comes up on you if you don't have a damn high caliber in that weapon shooting it is just going to piss it off. I am not trying to be mean I am just trying to be truthful. Don't think I hate guns or anything like that, I love sending some lead downrange its relaxing and its fun but in many instances they aren't the best thing a person can do self defense wise, just my honest opinion.