This sounds very scary and I'm sorry this happened to you. Are you able to tell us a little more? I hate that someone else has caused you to give up something you love. Would you feel safer again if you carried pepper spray, or even a handgun? Or maybe only go out with your husband or in a group?
Sandy
Jackie, I am so glad you escaped from this potentially horrible situation! I know this kind of experience can shake you to your very core. My husband and I lived for a bit in NYC and several years in Washington, DC where we had several experiences with crime including being held up at gunpoint. I became quite fearful. It slowly lessened with time, and moving to a more rural area (which, of course, is no solution but it felt better to me) helped. I found I did develop a strong street sense of being aware of my surroundings and anticipating potential problems. However, with photography I find when I get "in the zone" I lose awareness of my surroundings. This concerns me, along with being a woman (hey guys its true we feel more vulnerable). I do try to have someone close by if possible and always carry my cell phone. And I have learned to accept risk as a part of all of life and don't want my fears to keep me from what I love. . .
However, to further push what Jackie started, how do you protect yourself out in nature from these potential problems not only from rogue humans but rogue animals? What can we do to better prepare ourselves to be out in nature? If this has been discussed previously, I would appreciate some redirection to that info. Thanks!
Jackie, I am happy you escaped unscathed, and won't presume to play amateur psychologist, but I will bore you with a story.
A few years ago, a group of us were on a float down the Colville River on Alaska's North Slope. Somehow, the topic of plane crashes came up. The nature writer who was traveling with our group asked, "How many of you have been in a plane crash." All of us but the nature writer raised our hands, including my wife and I.
The nature writer was blown away. "How can you get in a small plane after a crash?" she asked.
Our guide, Bob Dittrick, answered best: "It's just a question of whether your fears rule you or you rule your fears."
If it matters, statistically you are much, much more likely to be killed driving to or from a destination than attacked by someone.
And one final thought: creeps like the serial killer you met get their perverse gratification out of causing fear. To the extent you let him induce fear in you, you are letting him win.
I have only been in a dangerous situation once and it has made me much more aware of my surroundings. There was only one other car parked at the local pond (out of state and I presume the couple got off the highway and parked overnight). The minute I was on the path and out of sight of the road he came up on me from behind. It was the only time I was glad I had my tripod. I swung around using it as a weapon and he realized I was willing to use it so he retreated very quickly. Just lucky he wasn't more persistent. Odd that I've never had a bad experience with animals.
I hope you don't take this as flip, but if you were the victim of a burglary or home invasion by someone with a violent history, would you resolve never to stay at home again? risk is everywhere. awareness and preparation can help, or sometimes not. but to let fear make you give up things you enjoy seems unfortunate to me. unless you're shooting in some VERY shady places, you're far more likely to get killed driving to and from your destination.
Discussion
6 repliesSandy
However, to further push what Jackie started, how do you protect yourself out in nature from these potential problems not only from rogue humans but rogue animals? What can we do to better prepare ourselves to be out in nature? If this has been discussed previously, I would appreciate some redirection to that info. Thanks!
Carolyn
A few years ago, a group of us were on a float down the Colville River on Alaska's North Slope. Somehow, the topic of plane crashes came up. The nature writer who was traveling with our group asked, "How many of you have been in a plane crash." All of us but the nature writer raised our hands, including my wife and I.
The nature writer was blown away. "How can you get in a small plane after a crash?" she asked.
Our guide, Bob Dittrick, answered best: "It's just a question of whether your fears rule you or you rule your fears."
If it matters, statistically you are much, much more likely to be killed driving to or from a destination than attacked by someone.
And one final thought: creeps like the serial killer you met get their perverse gratification out of causing fear. To the extent you let him induce fear in you, you are letting him win.
Jim