First time.... (freaked out!)

[wingnut60]

I have read lots of anecdotal posts here and there about getting into Canada with a shotgun--I just can't come up with enough need to try it. Seems just having the correct paperwork may trigger a complete teardown of the camping unit--just not worth it.
Don't remember how many years we camped w/o anything but a ball bat; now it seems we need a lot more than that to feel secure.
Have been researching getting to WA border and sending the gun home; and having one sent from home to AK to pick up when we get there; then sending that one back home, and picking one up when we re-enter the US. Can't get the logistics to work.
So, back to 'bear spray' and ball bats and vicious Yorkies....
Joe

[wingnut60]

Oh, and back to original theme--we stop a lot at WMs, just find the logical part of the lot that is away from the mainstream of traffic. Some WMs are fine for this, others not so much. We usually park with the door side alongside a curb so we step out onto the grassy area--this also allows us to put all the slides out and still fit within the area allotted for angle parking a car/truck. We are never a hindrance to traffic this way. I can easily raise the fiver if needed, and sometimes have to put a board on the off-curbside if the drainage is severe. We shop at the store--I get coffee and donuts in the morning (if available), but have never asked permission. Have had several security people check with us, but never asked to leave.
Joe

[Dtwallace]

Originally Posted by dexters

You are right to be concerned. I've heard horror stories:

Grandparents with little girl stopped overnight in a Cracker Barrel. The little girl woke up spitting a pea soup like substance, head was turning around, cursing, levitating etc. They had to get a Catholic priest to perform some ritual to excise the demon. The police said it wasn't the first time it happened there.

A couple in an expensive class A woke up on the grass in of a Sam's Club. Their expensive Class A gone! The police said that this has been happening all over the country. The thieves cut a small hole in a window, pump the MH with sleeping gas, remove the occupants and drive away.

A couple stopped at an Indian Casino and were never seen again. Their dinette had their dinner set out ready to eat. People near by said they saw bright lights and strange objects in the sky but were on their way to the great buffet and didn't investigate.

A couple in a Wal Mart reported that in the middle of the night there was loud banging on the side of their MH. They looked out the window only to see a 7' tall hairy big foot like creature running away.

























PS - non of these things happened but ... you never know.

Thats funny, and poking fun at the whole scary thing is a great way to really get us thinking about how we sometimes go way over board with our apprehensions.

Like mentioned above, best to go with your gut feelings and if you don't feel safe in a certain lot, don't stay there.

But for the most part, no one bothers RV'ers stopping to take a break.
Thats been my experience, and we use truck stop parking lots quite a bit when in transit, but we will never put the slides out in a truck stop parking lot unless it's on the side of a grassy or no parking area.

Sleepy truck drivers have been known to rip off the hood of his neighbors truck on the way out to an appointment, and never stop.

For the same reason, never pull all the way forward in a rest stop parking space, mid way is perfect.

[TwoDog]

Haha! Lots of great posts here. Thank you. I plan to do a lot of boondocking and this was helpful for me. I know no matter what I am probably not going to sleep well regardless...but it's all about getting used to it. Kudos to the business concerns offering us their parking lots!

[MonkeyClaw]

Man, I sleep GREAT at truck stops! The low din of their engines running masks other sounds and I don't notice them pulling in and out. In the summer I can run my gennie without worrying about the noise (since the truckers usually have their engines or refrigerator units running too). I'm a fairly light sleeper too.

I try to be more conscientious about noise when in a Wal-Mart parking lot. I prefer Sam's Clubs because there is usually less traffic and I can be gone by the time they open.

I was nervous the first time I stayed in a parking lot, but I quickly got used to it and prefer it when traveling now.

[Reed Cundiff]

Wingnut 60
Check current regulations on the net. We had no problem taking a pump shotgun and lever action rifle through BC to Alaska 7 years ago. You cannot take a firearm into eastern Canada - as we found out the following at New Brunswick crossing near Calais. Had to go to Calais to find a hardware store in Calais that had an FFL and ship to son in Colorado. Bear spray is probably more effective.
Reed and Elaine

[Morgan92]

Never use your jacks on someones blacktop drive, they may be very upset the next morning.

[beenthere]

when things go bad it's the three s's kind alike the three r's..... shoot shovel and shut up...