Felt safe until now

[scoutergriz]

I guess I can see where shooting guns at the grocery store could be problematic. Drinkin' beer & having a good time though? That's got grocery store tailgate party written all over it! Best of all: no DUI on the resupply run (you don't lose driving privileges for "public intoxication")

(usual warning: I'm not a lawyer... don't even play one on tv)

you must have stayed in a Holiday Inn a time or two...

 

[scoutergriz]

A strange thing. Perhaps owing to the likelihood that the vast majority of people are nice somewhere underneath, that's what I've found anyway,
but my social navigating has revealed some curious happenstance. I'm pushing 70 but my hair is still only salt n pepper, even tho my facial hair is all white. And it helps I'm sure that I'm about the size (and appearance) of your average garden gnome. So no matter how much I swagger I'm really no threat to anyone. When I had a very short brush cut and full white beard I could stop traffic (unintentionally) just by looking at crosswalks. People would wave from behind their steering wheels "go ahead ol fella, it's okay". Then, when I grew my hair shoulder length, the traffic respect/pity ended. No more Mr and Mrs nice guys. They would shake their heads and worse. Having gotten fed up with pony tails and fuss I recently got shorn, and guess what. The nice people are back. What the
Sitting in the kitchen the other night with my missus I suggested she wash out her colour and wear her grey with pride. (oops, I was supposed to be fooled into believing she was still 30). I said she'd benefit from some of this ageism thing going on. She wasn't impressed, so I'll just let that go.
It's too bad this doesn't apply to driving, because in this rat infested part of the world too many folks drive like they're mad; mad as hatters and mad at somebody, anybody, you buddy. I refuse to go 140 in an 80 zone, otherwise I drive fairly close to the suggested speed limits posted. And still I get angry feckers losing their self-entitled princess snowflake cool because I'm using up valuable asphalt real estate. Maybe I ought to invest in a convertible, so they can see my pitiable old garden gnome situation, and show a little respect. End of rant.

I've got the opposite problem- what hair that remains is solidly gray AND I drive a big ol' pickup- everybody automatically assumes that I'll be doing 10 under and start braking for lights a half mile from the intersection, they seem to love to pull in front of me and take their foot off the gas. None of them realize I used to build and race off road buggies (think outlaws with jumps) and that my "big ol' truck" probably has double the horsepower of their little 4 banger, and double the gears with a fairly tall 3.92 rear end that'll smoke my all terrain tires in 1st and 2nd if I want...
boy are they surprised when I pass them again doing twice their speed and their hairpiece blows out the passenger side window...

 

[Penns Woods]

I'm considering a trip to Adirondacks in Oct so I've been watching for new information on accused murderer Anthony Bechand.
As of today, NY state police still have not caught the suspect. Investigation shows he had friends and family located in the area he abandoned his pick up which is probably why he retreated to the Adirondacks. It seems hiding at a campsite in the background was not the reason.

 

[scratchypants]

Blackhawk circling a mile away from me for about an hour yesterday. Between Kelvingrove, Glenelm, and Beith. Assuming related but there's been a lot of border activity, too.

 

[Punkinhead]

The world is changing

In the US it's getting safer.

 

[TheIndian]

Sounds like a press conference is scheduled for tomorrow…

*A press conference will be held at State Police Ray Brook Barracks; regarding the search of homicide suspect

troopers.ny.gov

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Sounds like a press conference is scheduled for tomorrow…

*A press conference will be held at State Police Ray Brook Barracks; regarding the search of homicide suspect

troopers.ny.gov

From the article: "Law enforcement agencies have conducted searches from where the vehicle was located to several miles throughout the Gabriels area and the town of Brighton."

Brighton is the township where the WCHA Assembly is held each year and where I paddled for three days after this summer's Assembly. The Brighton Mini Mart in Gabriels is where many of us bought food, drink, snacks and ice.

 

[Roybrew]

I don't like keeping up with a gun, or the weight, when I'm camping. I like to be dressed comfortably. I hate to even wear a belt. I try to avoid situations where I might feel uncomfortable about my surroundings. I have, and sometimes, carry pepper spray if I'm out alone.
If there was a situation, I would prefer to pepper someone than shoot them, for 2 reasons. 1. I think it would mess me up, after the fact, if I took someone's life. I would continue to relive the incident and always feel I could've done something different. I don't want to live like that.
2. If I had to take some one down with pepper spray, I would make sure they regret what they tried to do, and they would have to live with it. I always carry rope, duct tape and a sharp knife that can be used if something needs to be castrated .

I've been frequently asked this question by coworkers and family members. I don't want to 2nd guess myself, or live with regret.
Just my thoughts.

 

[Modified Ottertail]

There are a lot of canoe destinations that require driving thru some nasty cities to get there.
I definitely get a severe "pucker" when I'm driving thru Chicago on my way to BWCA.

Now that's just silly. First, what qualifies as a nasty city? Second, where are you driving, the interstate highways, or on local streets in "high-crime" neighborhoods?

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

There are a lot of canoe destinations that require driving thru some nasty cities to get there.
I definitely get a severe "pucker" when I'm driving thru Chicago on my way to BWCA.
It's the TRIP to canoe country that's the most dangerous part of the journey.

I've believed for 45 years that the drive is the most dangerous part of any canoe trip by far.

And I definitely get nervous and pucker when driving in fairly high speed traffic through or around urban areas: NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Washington D.C., being common examples for me. This has gotten slowly but increasingly worse in old age; my driving confidence has diminished in proportion to my diminished reflexes. I especially get nervous during night driving in such urban areas, with zillions of headlights coming from every direction and big trucks earthquaking by me.

As far as concerns about hostile humans, I was always alert to that for decades because I would drive, live and sleep out of my full-size van conversion for all my canoe trips. I've parked for the night in some sketchy places in urban, suburban, rural and remote areas in my van, in which I did have a baseball bat, a police billy club, my knives, machetes, a rosary on my rear view mirror, and usually a can of bear spray. When I could, I especially felt safe staying the night in the parking lot of a Catholic church with the permission of the priest or deacon. I just felt safer there than in a Walmart parking lot or interstate rest area.

 

[Gamma1214]

When I could, I especially felt safe staying the night in the parking lot of a Catholic church with the permission of the priest or deacon. I just felt safer there than in a Walmart parking lot or interstate rest area.

I never thought about that but churches make sense. The back of a cemetery might be good too. I doubt that too many nefarious people would be going there at night and the neighbors would be nice and quiet.

I'd agree that humans in cars are much more dangerous than those who are free range (especially since half of them are looking at their phones). If worried about sketchy areas within cities, it's not hard to plan ahead and have sufficient fuel, food & bladder space to remain on the interstate and drive through without stopping.

 

[Woodpuppy]

Driving is likely the most dangerous thing we ALL do on a regular basis. Excess humans make it worse, whether simply excess or ill-willed. Last time driving through Atlanta on our way from Florida to Michigan I told my wife I wasn’t doing that again. We found a route around that costs us no time at all if you factor in the stop and go part of driving through Atlanta, and we’re safer and saner. As for constitutionally hostile urban areas, on our last trip from Florida to Iowa I drove around Illinois. You can forget me going into or through places like Chicago or NYC. Unfortunately when upstate NY is your destination, gotta leave the heaters at home. My Florida plate is a magnet for the likes of NY and Maryland staties.

 

[lowangle al]

As far as driving through a big city, if you fear more than the traffic, maybe your a little paranoid.

A little advice for when leaving your vehicle at a trailhead or put in is not to leave anything that has value or may appear to have value in plain sight. I wouldn't even leave a bag with my spare clothes visible on the seat. It would be better to just leave the clothes in plain sight. You don't want to give a thief a reason to think he will benefit from a break-in. Vandals are a different story.

 

[Rusty Ole' Bucket]

And I definitely get nervous and pucker when driving in fairly high speed traffic through or around urban areas: NYC, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Washington D.C., being common examples for me.

I lived in the DC area, Germantown MD, for four years and was finally able to move away. My main complaint was the traffic and the huge crush of people. About 4 years later after living in the NC countryside, my ex and I split up because she took a job there and wanted to move back. None for me thanks...

 

[yknpdlr]

Driving is likely the most dangerous thing we ALL do on a regular basis. Excess humans make it worse, whether simply excess or ill-willed. Last time driving through Atlanta on our way from Florida to Michigan I told my wife I wasn’t doing that again. We found a route around that costs us no time at all if you factor in the stop and go part of driving through Atlanta, and we’re safer and saner. As for constitutionally hostile urban areas, on our last trip from Florida to Iowa I drive around Illinois. You can forget me going into or through places like Chicago or NYC. Unfortunately when upstate NY is your destination, gotta leave the heaters at home. My Florida plate is a magnet for the likes of NY and Maryland staties.

I grew up in northern NY State, and have returned in retirement to live there, on the edge of the Adirondacks. Much is wong with NY, but my rural community feels relatively safe. I went to college on Long Island, which required me to drive though NYC freeways to get there. Always an eye opening challenge. I prefered to make the trip at night, because it seemed to save time for daytime activities at home. Along the way the highways always there were frequent stripped abandoned vehicles, wheels missing, windows broken and generally never to be useful ever again. I can't imaging what it looks like today. I never go anywhere near there, haven't been close for almost 50 years.

When I visited my son while stationed in the US Air Force in Europe, for general driving use he drove an older beater BMW. Whenever and whereever he parked for any amount of time in public areas, he would bring out a bag to scatter scraps of wadded papers, used napkins and used food containers to make it look junky and unpleasant inside the car. Seemed to work for him.

 

[Penns Woods]

Hello folks,

Trip is getting fleshed out. Leave Rochester NY, drive around to Toronto for fun and then head straight up to Hwy 389, then over to 500 and down to 510. All seems pretty straightforward. I have been fascinated with Newfoundland forever and want to make sure I cover "The Rock", however I want to check out Labrador as well. Most things I read say at least 2 weeks for NF, and more if you have it.

I will be entering at Blanc Sablon. Some folks seem to then drive to St. John's and then ferry over to NS on the way out. As I research NF I am getting a better feel for the size of this island. I would like to see as much as I can so I would like to enter and depart at Blanc Sablon, hugging the east coast on the way down and then cutting back across to the west coast and heading back to Blanc Sablon. Following that plan I could then take the ferry again to Hwy 138 in Quebec on the north side of the St. Lawrence, down to Quebec City and back to NY.

Top line question - with 2 plus weeks in NF, does my plan even make sense? I am thinking about adding a couple more days, if need be.

I need to see Labrador too but it looks like there are fewer scenic wonders - can I get a nice feel for Labrador in a week?

For both of these I am not too worried about seeing cities - I'll always go to museums if I have the time, but I am primarily looking to see as much country as I can. I like driving - never hit 900 miles in a day but quite a few in the 850 range so I am willing to put in the time to get there and get back quickly to maximize time spent.

And if you happen to know of any Atlantic salmon fisheries along they way I'd be very interested in that. All of this in September.

At this point my plan is a bit vague so I appreciate some intel. However, I MUST include a side trip to the town of Dildo so I can take a picture of Chick in front of the city limits sign. Dildo. I think we are too uptight in the States for that one, but now that I understand that in the 1700's it was all about nautical stuff. (know how you make pickle bread? use dill dough)

Thank you - a year to go before the trip and I'm already jacked up!

I grew up in northern NY State, and have returned in retirement to live there, on the edge of the Adirondacks. Much is wong with NY, but my rural community feels relatively safe. I went to college on Long Island, which required me to drive though NYC freeways to get there. Always an eye opening challenge. I prefered to make the trip at night, because it seemed to save time for daytime activities at home. Along the way the highways always there were frequent stripped abandoned vehicles, wheels missing, windows broken and generally never to be useful ever again. I can't imaging what it looks like today. I never go anywhere near there, haven't been close for almost 50 years.

When I visited my son while stationed in the US Air Force in Europe, for general driving use he drove an older beater BMW. Whenever and whereever he parked for any amount of time in public areas, he would bring out a bag to scatter scraps of wadded papers, used napkins and used food containers to make it look junky and unpleasant inside the car. Seemed to work for him.

I have used this dirty car system while leaving my car. I think it works, I haven't had any problems.

 

[scoutergriz]

As far as driving through a big city, if you fear more than the traffic, maybe your a little paranoid.

A little advice for when leaving your vehicle at a trailhead or put in is not to leave anything that has value or may appear to have value in plain sight. I wouldn't even leave a bag with my spare clothes visible on the seat. It would be better to just leave the clothes in plain sight. You don't want to give a thief a reason to think he will benefit from a break-in. Vandals are a different story.

I've always found that some strategic camouflage helps too- I don't wash my truck for a few weeks, make sure that it's dusty and muddy, and same inside- old coffee cups, food wrappers, used 3" magnum shot shells, and a few old french fries on the floor( they seem impervious to rot or mold) seem to make a world of difference, a big old chunk of 40,000lb rated chain and a huge padlock from the steering wheel to the seat post helps. The idea is to make it look like an old uncared-for work or farm truck, if you want to be really creative a couple of sprinkles of baby powder on the seats and floor are easily vacuumed up...
a couple of years ago I left my filthy truck chained up at a notorious put-in, upon my return sunday night there were several cops there- a half dozen vehicles (mostly trucks and SUV's) were stolen, and another dozen more vandalized- mine was one of only 4 that were untouched

 

[Dana]

I have never felt unsafe in the woods (the time a bear chased me off the mountain notwithstanding) to the point where I felt the need to carry a firearm. That said, I have occasionally carried a folding .22 or revolver (also .22) just for fun, or small game "targets of opportunity". My takeaways from that are (1) there's never enough game to make it worthwhile, and (2) guns are heavy.

Cities I avoid, if only for aesthetic reasons... I just don't like them. Despite our cabin being only about 40 miles from NYC (the urban sprawl ends when you hit the mountains), I go into the city maybe once every 5 years or so.

There was once that my wife and daughters were camping in south NJ. I had to stay home in CT to work and was to meet them later, taking the train and bus so we could drive home together. So there I was, walking from (IIRC) Grand Central Station to the bus terminal on a Friday night, with a large backpack, sleeping pad, etc., and for some reason an unreasonably large sheath knife on my belt. That last probably would've gotten me arrested if not for the other obvious camping gear. I sure felt out of place, but everybody was very polite.

 

[Gamma1214]

I've always found that some strategic camouflage helps too... The idea is to make it look like an old uncared-for work or farm truck...

My poor old Ranger excelled in that capacity. Might have to find another before August (the new car, being all one color and no broken windshield, looks like I might have money lol)

 

[lowangle al]

There was once that my wife and daughters were camping in south NJ. I had to stay home in CT to work and was to meet them later, taking the train and bus so we could drive home together. So there I was, walking from (IIRC) Grand Central Station to the bus terminal on a Friday night, with a large backpack, sleeping pad, etc., and for some reason an unreasonably large sheath knife on my belt. That last probably would've gotten me arrested if not for the other obvious camping gear. I sure felt out of place, but everybody was very polite.

Talking about feeling out of place, this reminds me of an urban camping related experience I once had. I accompanied my wife on a business trip to Los Vegas and we decided to stay in the area and do some camping afterward. It happened when we were standing in front of the hotel on a crowded part of the Strip. We were waiting for a cab when my beat up army duffle bag fell over and an old soot covered pot rolled out onto the sidewalk. I don't think I could have been more embarrassed if a dildo rolled out.