women boondocking alone

[Ella1]

Didn't want to hijack the THOUGHTS ON VANDWELLING thread.

How many women, and of what age/ (age group) , vandwell / boondock by themselves? What length of time? Do you generally feel safe, whether from humans or other critters? Have you had problems with either? Elaborate, please. Do you boondock pretty isolated, away from others, or within shouting distance? Do people bother you when they see you are alone?
Ella

 

[Marie]

I am a 70 year old woman with a 20 year old van. Before my husband died 2 years ago, we camped and boondocked all over the Unied States. Since he died, I've gone on several short trips alone - well, me and my two little dogs. We live in Montana, so there are LOTS of places to boondock. My biggest fear is getting way off the beaten path, and having the van break down. I now usually camp closer to other people, maybe in a free or cheap campground. I'm not scared of stealth camping: both I and my van look pretty "normal" and don't draw the attention of the law.  We also look like we wouldn't have much worth stealing. I often carry some sort of protection - for those surprise incidents that just might happen! Never once, knock on wood, has a LEO or anyone else come knocking on my door at night. Did see a black bear last weekend at Warm Springs campground near Sula, Montana, but he just wandered off, and the dogs and I stayed in the van!

 

[ttpadilla]

Like Marie, my biggest fear would be breaking down far from civilization with no cell phone service. Not overly concerned about large critters (it's the dang mice that are killing me!) and don't anticipate much trouble with people if I'm boondocking. I am 49, traveling with a dog, lived in the RV in Oregon for a year on rented acreage, then hit the road 8 weeks ago, and came down to Sequoia National Forest where I'm camp hosting. October will see me in Haslet, TX working for Amazon for 12 weeks.

 

[cyndi]

I'm 58 and traveling with my dog. I've made the cross country trip, from the SW desert to MA and back 9 times.

I've traveled cross country, boondocking most of the way across, 4 times in the last 3 years. I camp in a variety of places, none of them too far off the beaten track because I don't have 4x4. I prefer no neighbors. Mostly, unless you're in the SW desert you're going to have neighbors at some point during your stay.

I never announce or advertise that I am on my own, no matter where I park.

Once when casino parking I actually lied because I felt unsure. I told my neighbors my husband was gambling all night and sleeping all day. When I realized I was among friends I told the truth and we all had a good laugh. They were all feeling pretty bad for me; my husband must have had the gambling bug pretty bad.

If I don't feel good about a place, I leave. You can kind of tell when you pull into a possible campsite what kind of people frequent the area. If I see lots of trash, cigarette butts and general upheaval in an area I move on, unless I'm just staying for the night. Usually, if I am just staying somewhere for a night I'm dry camping on black top or something similar.

 

[Belinda2]

I have been boondocking since 1988 part time 2-5 days/week and since last July full time. I generally feel safe. I only boondock in populated areas. My whole secret is to look stealth all the time. I go to great lengths to blend in and look like everyone in my environment. NO ONE has ever thought I was boondocking. It is quite difficult, as I also have a 14 year old dog. The only time I have ever been approached is at truck stops as I have been walking my dog or preparing food. I have been approached more than once even though I have dressed very low-key. I look the man square in the eye. I ask him directly what he wants in a non-threatening manner. Once he confirms what I thought he was inquiring about, I respectfully and gently start seriously, seriously, and very seriously talking about religion. He wants to get away from me so bad, it's not even funny. But, I just keep talking and I don't let him leave until he finds he has to be rude to me and get away. This way I am assured that as he is at the rest stop all night, and I am at the rest stop all night, I will not get approached again later, by him.  
I know you may be scared. Just remember guys hate: religious freaks and crazy people. Master acting like both of these and it will always come in handy. Enjoy!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

I'm 66 and male, but I have the same concerns about being alone in some isolated spot with no cell signal (my usual situation).  Not only for breakdowns, but weather (trees down, flooding, snow), medical emergency, etc.  I am currently looking at inReach satellite emergency communications.
http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreachse.php

This thread on Wander the West discusses:

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/8569-anyone-using-an-inreach-2-way-satellite-communicator/
 -- Spiff

 

[WriterMs]

I'm 61-going-on-30 with the re-invigoration of being able to spend lots of time alone in nature. I'm temporarily grounded with some parental care-taking, but hope to be back in the Rockies before summer is gone and to be at RTR in January.

Last year, I got in more than 6 months of solo vandwelling and loved it. I was mostly in Montana ( and I'm feeling jealous of Marie).

In the 90s, I did quite a lot of camping while living in that gorgeous state, so the idea of sleeping out in the boonies was not frightening to me at all. With a van to live in instead of a tent, it is even less so. I stayed in free FS campgrounds or at dispersed campsites along FS roads. Even the thought of getting "stuck" from a breakdown way out in the boonies does not frighten me from a survival standpoint - only from how much money it would cost to get me out eventually.

Last year, I had a blown-out tire while on a narrow road along the Little Blackfoot River near Avon, MT. Helena tow services were quoting me a minimum of $200 just to come and put on my spare. Luckily a local man stopped to see if I needed help. He is a banker by profession but lives on his mini ranch by the river. He ended up coming back with his small tractor and his floor jack in the shovel to help me out. And then a couple of his friends stopped to help, too. Mine is an extended van with a high top (used to be a wheelchair public transit van), so getting it lifted to change the tire was a feat! The next day I purchased Good Sam Roadside Assistance -- which is designed for RVers like us. One use would more than pay for the year's membership.

I had a midnight visitor once. A young elk in velvet who found my van ideal for rubbing his antlers and jostling me awake with my heart pounding. My air horn convinced him to move along.

So my philosophy is to be as prepared and as aware as possible and then just do it. Like Suanne and so many other solo women travelers, I do keep handy an air horn, high intensity flashlight, wasp spray and sharp cutting tool (like a big, fixed blade knife, a hatchet, etc.).

I very much second listening to your gut feeling about any place you might stay. When I'm going from point to point, I usually stay in truck plaza or Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lots. Have never been hassled or felt unsafe (I do double check that overnighting is allowed).

 

[WriterMs]

Thinking of what a good list Suanne put together on her blog, I thought I'd post a link. She also uses a Spot GPS emergency satellite signaler (I can't remember the real term for it but you get the idea). Her model is on Amazon for about $149 (so I don't have one yet).

Here is a link to her post about safety and security:

http://suanneonline.blogspot.com/2010/02/safety-and-security.html

Also, I forgot to mention that my regular purse (with me at all times) contains at least the bare minimum of survival essentials. These include a very loud whistle which is attention-getting (when the air horn would be out of reach). For a walk in nature I have my survival fanny pack with essentials it would be silly to be without.

 

[Belinda2]

Dear Mr. Spiff,
If you were having an emergency, and your satellite signal went off that you were in trouble, I would let you land wherever I was just so I could see your cool Jetson-mobile! When I'd hear you coming in from "Spacely Sprockets" I would quickly grab my flashlights and direct you into the nearest 100ft X 100ft landing zone!
Belinda2

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The next day I purchased Good Sam Roadside Assistance  -- which is designed for RVers like us. One use would more than pay for the year's membership.

How much research did you do before buying that?  I see a lot of posts about Good Sam RA and it's competitors.  Some good, some bad.  But there seem to be a LOT of posts claiming that GS won't leave paved roads to come help you.

Some posts have said that they WILL do gravel roads, IF they are regular, official county routes.  But it does look like boondockers off on BLM or National Forest land should NOT expect help from any of them if they get stuck or need service like changing a flat or jump starting a dead battery.

Wondering if your GS policy says anything different?

Regards
John

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I'm 66 and male, but I have the same concerns about being alone in some isolated spot with no cell signal (my usual situation).  Not only for breakdowns, but weather (trees down, flooding, snow), medical emergency, etc.  I am currently looking at inReach satellite emergency communications.
http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreachse.php

This thread on Wander the West discusses:

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/8569-anyone-using-an-inreach-2-way-satellite-communicator/
 -- Spiff

Neither the InReach nor the SPOT are TRUE PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons).  PLBs are the ones that call out the official search and rescue teams and the medevac helicoptors  when the excrement has SERIOUSLY hit the impeller.  As in, you're sitting there with a broken leg,2 miles from your vehicle, 20 miles from anywhere, and your cell phone stopped getting any bars 19 miles ago.

Heres' a thread on them from Expedition Portal.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/64251-SPOT-vs-PLB?highlight=PLB

Not for everyone here, but probably a good idea for SOME of us.  The further off the beaten path you go, the more of a good idea it is.

Regards
John

 

[akrvbob]

I personally know many dozens of women solo boondockers who almost never have any problems. But I can't tell all their stories.

What I think helps the most to ally your fears is to follow the blogs of women who do it. Here are some that I can think of off the top of my head but I know there are many more. Let's start with this list and then please add any more that you know of:

http://rvsueandcrew.net/
http://www.interstellarorchard.com/
http://theblondecoyote.com/
http://www.jhblueroad.com/
http://swankiewheels.blogspot.com/
http://suanneonline.blogspot.com/

If they can do it, so can you!
Bob

 

[WriterMs]

How much research did you do before buying that?  I see a lot of posts about Good Sam RA and it's competitors.  Some good, some bad.  But there seem to be a LOT of posts claiming that GS won't leave paved roads to come help you.

Some posts have said that they WILL do gravel roads, IF they are regular, official county routes.  But it does look like boondockers off on BLM or National Forest land should NOT expect help from any of them if they get stuck or need service like changing a flat or jump starting a dead battery.

Wondering if your GS policy says anything different?

Regards
John

John,
I have to admit that I was in a hurry to get something after my unfortunate experience, so I did NOT do much shopping around at all as I usually would. There were no such exclusions specifically stated in the material I did read from GS, but I will review the fine print again. Early in my career I wrote marketing materials for a major insurer and we had to have the legal department approve every word -- so if they have such exclusions it has to be stated in some way (though it may be an obtuse statement).

My roadside assistance is up for renewal in early July so I will definitely check it out. And I will do some searches for what others are saying about GS and the competitors. Thanks much for the heads up!
Carla

 

[sunnyslife]

I am 53 and although I haven't started my "van-dwelling" journey yet, as a younger version of me, one that was healthier, had a little more money at hand, and wasn't afraid of anyone/anything, I use to do camping by myself - usually along the bank of a river, not in a CG or other inhabited area.

Now, my 72 year old mother and I are in the process of converting my minivan, putting together an emergency fund, purchasing necessities, mapping out our route, and making our "to take with us" list and will be leaving NE Ohio the day after Christmas to make it to the RTR in January. While the idea of being behind the wheel of the van for so many days does not excite me near as much as it would have years ago, the only fear of the trip I really have is, like others have stated, breaking down in the middle of nowhere with no cell service and no one else around.

 

[Ella1]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. I thought I would have been out by now, but...The shop seems to have the AC repaired, but is having problems getting the parts to fix the door locks. I can't open the sliding door at all. They say the van is 20 years old, they don't make the parts anymore. Of course my position is there are cars on the road A LOT older than mine. Until that is repaired, I won't do any more to it. Using the front doors to get into the back is really not do-able for me due to health issues.

 

[Ella1]

After posting this AM I made a few calls and learned enough that I decided my mechanics simply don't want to do the job. They replaced the lock in January. There is a year warranty on their work, so this would fall under that: They w/should fix it for free. As it is, they're losing my business--after 5 years with them. They've been telling me they can't find the parts, they don't make them anymore.
I called O Reilly parts store. THAT guy said it's not a big deal, he has parts that will work, come get them. He didn't know which "door lock rod clips" package was the right one, one box is $4, the other $5. What's wrong with MY MECHANICS? Who say they can't find the parts...they don't make them...
Then I called O'Reilly Chevrolet (dealer) and talked to their parts dude. He said it sounded to him like when the lock cylinder was changed a few months ago, they didn't replace something properly. He said there's NO problem getting parts. He may have to order it, but the piece(s) is probably at the bottom of the interior of the door.
So I'll have it on the way to being fixed Monday.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

I have been out only 4 months now. None of my fears or the fears other people had for me have happened. Yes, I am afraid of animals at night as well as people, I also have an active imagination so that plays to my fears. If I am in a place that there are men drinking alcohol, I always leave.
I am about as far from stealth as one can get and my camper is obviously a camper with a female in it and its so small you can figure only one person occupies it

Bad things can happen to you in a house with a good security system or while walking to your car in a nice neighborhood or to your Doctors office on the exclusive side of town. I can have car trouble on the wrong side of town or out in the boondocks. The only way I can keep something bad from possible happening is to, well I don't know how I can keep something bad from happening, anywhere, any time. I do worry about my car breaking down in the middle of nowhere though. I also have hooked up my camper and moved from under big trees during storms, I had a tree come down on a trailer years ago and I still have that fear of it happening again.

In my few short months of boondocking mixed with some pay camp grounds, I have met wonderful like minded people doing the same thing as me. Of course I can't comment about staying in parking lots or stealth in towns and cities. My experience has been in mainly forests and swamps.
Truly I suppose danger lurks everywhere. I tend to be clumsy and have fallen getting out of my camper before and stumbled on branches and rocks while out hiking. The way I see it, these things can happen to me living in a house or falling at a wal mart parking lot or being mugged getting groceries. Most accidents happen at home but you don't sit in your recliner and watch tv all the time to lessen your chance of injury.

As for myself, I enjoy all of the unknowns and meeting new people and seeing new places. I'm not going to get out of here alive so I will look for new experiences.
Enjoy life, travel and camp.

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

PS, you asked for an age group, I'm at that age I really wish I had done this after my kids were out of the house, I'm 61 but had though about this for years. As so many here have said, don't put it off until it's to late.
Diane

 

[mockturtle]

The only problem I've had boondocking is the fact that boondocking spots--really 'out in the boonies'--sometimes turn out to be party spots for teens, etc. because they are unsupervised areas. Then I have to leave, as I have no tolerance for noise and mayhem. I actually prefer neither to see nor hear other people when camping. I'm in Alaska now and I've mostly been staying in NFS campgrounds and it's been pretty quiet so far. Wow, this is a beautiful state!

 

[Expedition]

Didn't want to hijack the THOUGHTS ON VANDWELLING thread.

How many women, and of what age/ (age group) , vandwell / boondock by themselves? What length of time? Do you generally feel safe, whether from humans or other critters? Have you had problems with either? Elaborate, please. Do you boondock pretty isolated, away from others, or within shouting distance? Do people bother you when they see you are alone?
Ella