advice for the lonely female skydiving roadtripper?

[sgal 0]

Hi..soon to be heading off on my first solo roadtrip. my plans are to travel from dz to dz in california, im leaving from vancouver.
planning on maybe sleeping in my car, through washington and oregon, before making it to a dz..good idea? bad idea? where do i go for toilets, showers, sinks etc on the way?
basically looking for any advice or info or helpful hints on having a successful and fun trip.
any ideas on types of travel insurance??

steph

[Lindercles 0]

Hang on, let me consult my Man Book...

Ah yes, here it is on page 63, under the heading "Words That Turn Men Into Salivating Sex Fiends." And the list is as follows:

1. Lonely
2. Female
3. Skydive
4. Road Trip
5. Beer

Honorable mentions: Anonymous and Internet

No wonder DZ.com is running slow today. Your PMs are taking up all the bandwidth.

Have fun on your trip.

[Buried 0]

yeah, you are going the wrong way. drive further east .

suppose you can stop by the national parks on the way south for showers,etc. could stop by a AAA (not to be confused with AA) for other info

Where is my fizzy-lifting drink?

[yardhippie 0]

I know there are some other drivers out there and they can chime in also.

1. Sleeping in your car is dangerous, especially if people can see inside. If you can see in, find ways to keep nosy passers by from looking in and seeing you. What they dont see wont temp them.

2. Any large truck stop should have showers available for cheap. The most ive paid was $7. Take ya some shower shoes though.

3. There are many folks sleeping at large truck stops. So, by odds that might be safer than a remote 'rest stop' on the side of a highway/freeway.

3. Because of all the traffic at large truck stops they tend to attract homeless, hitchhikers and other size the moment of opportunity type folks. Be aware of your surroundings.

4. Plan your stops. Check out your route on a map and find a large chain of gas stations. find where they are on your route and plan for 1/2 tank breaks, fill ups, rest etc.

5. My preference: travel at night. Much less traffic. Easy in/out of stops b/c of less traffic. Sleep during the early morning 3-4am until. Again, less traffic.

Dont get me wrong, when I was driving for a living. I stopped in some sketchy places and never had any trouble, and heard of folks who stayed in what seemed like very safe places, have lots of trouble.

I busted out on 1500+ mile trips only knowing I was in one state and needed to end up in another state. That gets tough when the stomach is empty or the fuel tank has nothing but vapor and not a town in sight. Now, long road trips. I will at least check my route, stop for fuel early, stop and walk around a bit, but then again, I dont drive for a living anymore either.

Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD
"What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me
"Anything you want." ~ female skydiver
Mohoso Rodriguez #865

[skybytch 273]

Sleeping in car - I've done it in roadside rest stops but only at busy ones. I know you can stay in an RV in any WalMart parking lot and I've heard that it's okay to sleep in your car there, which is handy because WalMarts are everywhere, they have security for their parking lots and they have bathrooms.

Bring a tent and other camping equipment, even if you think you want to sleep in the car every night. There are numerous USFS (US Forest Service) and state park campgrounds throughout Washington, Oregon and California that you can stay at for pretty cheap.

I'd recommend treating yourself to a motel room every few days, too.

Showers - I never used them, but every truck stop has pay showers. If you plan your dz stops well, you won't have to worry about this one much.

Laundry - Laundromats are everywhere. Bring your own detergent.

Food - You can hit all the restaurants along the way, but if you'd rather spend your money on jumps you're better off buying food at grocery stores. Sandwiches are quick and easy to make in the car. A camping or backpacking stove is helpful if you like coffee in the morning or a warm meal whenever. Nalgene bottles work great for KoolAid type drinks when you get tired of water. A small cooler is handy for keeping drinks and sandwich stuff cold.

The drive - Set a limit on how many hours you want to drive each day. Plan to stop at least once every two hours (more is better) to stretch and move around. Plan to stop at interesting things along the way (if you do some research online ahead of time you can find all kinds of strange and wonderful things to see). Be sure you have plenty of batteries for the digital camera; take lots of pictures. Audiobooks are great travel companions, as is satellite radio. Plan to go home by a different route than you come south on.

Safety - Bring an emergency kit (first aid supplies, water, blanket, flares). Make sure someone at home knows your plans and update them if your plans change mid-trip. Call someone every other day or so, even if only to leave a message saying "I'm fine."

Other stuff - Be flexible with your plans; you may meet some cool people who are headed to and you want to go.

Bring a 12 pack of beer when you arrive at a new dz.

Take lots of pictures/video!

[warpedskydiver 0]

Bring your pistol.

Keep it loaded with one in the chamber.

Don't sleep at rest stops, get a room.

[freeflir29 0]

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Bring your pistol

You missed the part where she was coming from Canada. They only have muskets there.


Seriously.........I'm thinking you can hit DZ's within an easy drive of Vancouver every day. WA, OR, SF Bay area (Byron), and then on to SoCal. There's LOTS of DZ.commers along the way.

[skydemon2 0]

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Showers - I never used them

Sniff sniff

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bone!

I like to start my day off with a little Ray of Soulshine™!!

[skybytch 273]

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Sniff sniff

I never used the pay ones. That's what campgrounds and motels are for.

[Buried 0]

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Sniff sniff

I never used the pay ones. That's what campgrounds and motels are for.

nice save

Where is my fizzy-lifting drink?

[NWFlyer 2]

I did a similar trip last summer. I thought I'd do more camping than I did, but I found myself wanting the comfort and privacy of a motel a bit more often. I stayed with friends for several nights, and camped or stayed at the bunkhouse at a few DZs for other nights.

It's a blast! I agree with what people have said about checking in regularly with someone - it's always good to have someone who knows where you are and when to start worrying.

Post on here when you're approaching certain DZs (if you can find internet access along the way) and you may be able to connect with some local jumpers in each area. That makes you feel less isolated - that was one problem when it was just me and my own thoughts all day.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[Gawain 0]

Quote

Hang on, let me consult my Man Book...

Ah yes, here it is on page 63, under the heading "Words That Turn Men Into Salivating Sex Fiends." And the list is as follows:

1. Lonely
2. Female
3. Skydive
4. Road Trip
5. Beer

Honorable mentions: Anonymous and Internet

No wonder DZ.com is running slow today. Your PMs are taking up all the bandwidth.

Have fun on your trip.

No shit...it's almost tragic it's so funny...

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[sgal 0]

thanks for all of the advice everyone.
any one know how hard or easy it will be to get a wireless internet connection on my laptop?

steph

[JSBIRD 1]

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thanks for all of the advice everyone.
any one know how hard or easy it will be to get a wireless internet connection on my laptop?

Hop off at any interstate exit with lots of hotels/motels, then cruise the parking lots for a signal.
Most will not have security, and you can log in, do yer thing and move on.

359

"Now I've settled down,
in a quiet little town,
and forgot about everything"

[NWFlyer 2]

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thanks for all of the advice everyone.
any one know how hard or easy it will be to get a wireless internet connection on my laptop?

Hop off at any interstate exit with lots of hotels/motels, then cruise the parking lots for a signal.
Most will not have security, and you can log in, do yer thing and move on.

359

Lots of DZs have it these days, too. Lots of coffee shops are free (the chains like Starbucks or The Coffee Bean will charge, but many independent shops are free).

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[windcatcher 0]

Sounds like an incredible journey! Hope you have a blast, and update us with pics and stuff. I'll live this adventure vicariously through you.

Mother to the cutest little thing in the world...

[sgal 0]

"Bring a 12 pack of beer when you arrive at a new dz."


I dont turn 21 until beginning of February, unfortunately...

steph

[squirrel 0]

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thanks for all of the advice everyone.
any one know how hard or easy it will be to get a wireless internet connection on my laptop?

if you plan your stops, map them on yahoo maps you can use the "show WiFi" option on yahoo maps to show where there are Wifi's...budget a few bucks for connection fees. use the new broadband yahoo maps, and type "wifi" in the "find on the map" window. then click on the more info link under each location to get details. of coarse, you will need to have a wifi accessable laptop. and, shoot me a PM when you get near, we live 70 miles from Perris, Elsinore, and Cal City DZ.

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[NWFlyer 2]

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"Bring a 12 pack of beer when you arrive at a new dz."


I dont turn 21 until beginning of February, unfortunately...

Well, bring something. It's amazing how many friends you can make with a 12-pack of Gatorade in the afternoon. I handed out popsicles on a 100 degree day at Skydive Atlanta last summer ... I think at the time it was more welcomed than beer.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[TrophyHusband 0]

skydive toledo has some great people. its not far off of i-5 but is only about 6 hours from vancouver (unless you try to get through seattle during rush hours). shoot them an email and let them know if you will be stopping and you will be taken care of. this is true of many other drop zones as well. likely you will meet some wonderful people who will gladly offer up their couch. just be careful of which offers you take. if you don't feel comfortable or something in your gut just doesn't feel right, politely decline and get a hotel.

"Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama
www.kjandmegan.com

[gonzalesna 0]

squirrel, you out by barstow?

Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie.

[squirrel 0]

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squirrel, you out by barstow?

south east corner of Hesperia....where you you?

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[LisaM 0]

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thanks for all of the advice everyone.
any one know how hard or easy it will be to get a wireless internet connection on my laptop?

You can find free wi fi spots here.... draw yourself a map.... http://www.wififreespot.com/

~ Lisa
~ Do you Rigminder?

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

sgal... I was going to say something... but someone beat me too it with the...

Quote

Hang on, let me consult my Man Book...

Ah yes, here it is on page 63, under the heading "Words That Turn Men Into Salivating Sex Fiends." And the list is as follows:

1. Lonely
2. Female
3. Skydive
4. Road Trip
5. Beer

... crack.

Anyway, if you make it all the way to SoCal, consider checking out California City Skydive... http://www.skydivecaliforniacity.com/. They've got showers on-site and don't mind if you crash in the hangar or camp in the back-yard. Don't worry about bringing a gun, we've got lots there... its the best armed DZ in SoCal... unless you'd feel "naked" not having a "piece" of your own.

Good Luck & Blue Skies.

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[Guru312 0]

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thanks for all of the advice everyone.
any one know how hard or easy it will be to get a wireless internet connection on my laptop?

How easy will depend on a few things with the major one being the type of Wi-fi device you have in your laptop. Laptops with fully integrated wi-fi are severely limited for easy access to signals.

I've spent many hours experimenting with various manufactured wi-fi products for inclusion in something I'm building. Not all wi-fi enable laptops work alike.

If you are serious about connecting on the road I strongly suggest that you experiment with known locations so you'll know distances and laptop placement when you go on the road. I'm assuming you'll be connecting from your car some of time. Like sitting in a parking lot in a large mall.

Here in New Jersey, nearly every library and college has wi-fi hotspots.

I'm both a radio ham and computer geek so this stuff fascinates me. I do something called 'WarDriving' which is driving around finding open access points. I can understand that all you care about is having it work.

Send a PM and I'll explain more if you think it would be helpful.

Guru312

I am not DB Cooper