Good practice. My only worry is that the treeline is where a lot of unpleasent creatures, of all numbers of legs, congregate. But from the sounds of it, you are probably already able to deal with most of them.

Actually I am more at home in the woods than in the city.

So am I. I've suprised more critters at the edge of clearings and roads than I ever have further back.

But I could just have bad luck. I've suspected that for years.

And get a good one. I remember coming up on a guy on my folks' road who'd put the boot to his 4-way wrench, and he suddenly had a three-way wrench and a one-way one. Guess which way wasn't on the side with leverage? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The rule there is, don't get angry with your gear.

The reason for my preference of getting away from the car is because when I was younger I was stranded with a flat tire, when I got it changed the spare was flat too. A man stopped and instead of helping me , he tried to attack me. I was lucky and a cop came by before he could harm me. I'll take my chances with critters anyday.

I understand the logic. And I like the technique- it's actually my plan if I have to bug out by foot. I was merely pointing out the sole drawback that I could see.

*sighs* It is so hard to be a gentleman when there are so many scumbags in the gender. They and the slackers make the few of us look bad.

I don't judge all men by a few but I do learn from experience. Better safe than sorry. This way I can see them but they cant see me. Sometimes stealth is the best defense.

Hi Kuovonne,

I would like to point out that I certainly wasn't singling you out and in fact just read your response here AFTER posting to your other thread on guns. Again, I think my argument stands and you haven't convinced me otherwise, and obviously your DH has started to lead you down that path as well.

I would say that by and large, this isn't behavior that would get one killed, but then there are predators, sickos, addicts, and any number of hooligans more than willing to rob, rape, or rip you up. And as I said in the other thread, kids change the equation a great deal since they are reliant on you for protection and wise decisions. I wasn't dialing up the rhetoric to turn anyone away, and in fact, although I agree with what Sue said in the other thread, I was trying to say it in a more positive and hopefully encouraging manner and now that you've stated your position, I would try to do the same here.

I was breaking lugs on my grandfather's semi when I was a wee lad. I had to dangle from a 2m breaker bar (basically a solid tube attached to the end of a lug wrench to increase leverage) and I'm quite certain you could take off any lugs with something similar. Taking a few minutes with your husband to do things like change the oil, fill the break/antifreeze/windshield fluid could make all the difference and we all build up skills over time. The first time my brother attempted to change his own oil, he didn't drain the oil first, and he punctured the filter with a screwdriver to take it off (not knowing about clamps that do the job and realizing his hands wouldn't be enough). After spilling 4 quarts of black on my grandfather's pristine driveway, we all got some schooling. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Listen, there's no reason to not learn, and I think your hubby is willing to help. It's hard to find time with Baby, but do a little bit here and there and learn to protect yourself. Not everyone who stops is friendly.

And yes, I've stopped many times to help people, but I make sure I'M safe first and it's never when I have my family with me. I've offered to call for help many times when the situation was uncertain... always from a ways away, with the car running and with me yelling out the window.

I certainly wouldn't antagonize. I'm just pointing out the facts as I see them. Hopefully knowing the danger helps to motivate instead of turtle in. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />