The CragBaby

Last of the three questions Lydia sent in was concerning safety.

Did you ever feel unsafe? (I’m getting a lot of “You’re a woman? Traveling alone?! That far? Are you crazy?!” from various people, especially my family.)

I personally feel that traveling in the States is completely safe. I have gone on solo adventures to China, Europe and Ireland. China especially was a little interesting, but completely safe as well.

If in real rural areas, I would often sleep in parking lots rather than alone in the woods. I am a scaredy-cat by nature and so not gutsy enough just to pull over in the woods. One real good tip, that I used A LOT, was actually Wal-mart parking lots. I absolutely attest Wal-Mart; however, all car campers are welcome to sleep in the lot and security usually patrols the area.

I was traveling in a Honda Civic. On occasion I did wish it had tinted windows as I truly had zero personal space (anyone could look in at any time). I slept in the backseat of my car and would often sleep with my boulder pad jammed between the top of the front seats and the back window to kind-of provide an extra covering. (Ha ha! Writing this now sounds a little crazy, but life on the road truly is a different experience.)

I noticed I also felt safer because I was traveling with a dog. There was no way my little dog was really going to protect me, yet she would bark at anything that came near our car.

I was often asked how I planned on protecting myself. I didn’t carry anything in terms of protection (guns, knives, mace, etc). Perhaps I should have, but I just tried to be smart of where I went and where I slept. I have used this tactic in all of my travels and have been just fine.

Picture from my solo adventure to China.  Within hours of landing in Hong Kong, I met two British guys who became dear friends, traveling with them for 3 out of 4 weeks of my trip.  This day we rode camels through the Gobi desert and might be my all time favorite travel memory yet.

I get asked these safety questions a lot when I travel  and I will admit that my mother got emotional when I told her I booked my solo flight to China.  But I guess I have the viewpoint that I would rather risk it and see what happens than stay at home living in fear that something could have happened.

Lydia, just be smart about where you go and you should be just fine.