3 Safety Tips for Traveling Alone in the South
The Southern region of the U.S. has a lot to offer to someone looking for adventure and entertainment. First of all, the South is not just a geographic region; it’s an area with a distinct culture, accent and cuisine that may make you think you’ve landed in another country.
The South will spoil you with amazing food, fantastic music (there are plenty of live festivals to attend) and easygoing people. Cities like New Orleans (you may catch a Mardi Gras celebration if you know when to go), Orlando (Walt Disney World is here) or Austin (Texas’s culture hub) will make you fall in love with the South.
However, just like every location in the world, you need to be prepared and stay safe (especially if you’re traveling solo). So, to make sure you enjoy your trip to the max and make it back to tell the stories, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when going solo in the South.
Buy Insurance
Make sure you’re covered by your health, auto and travel insurance, especially if you’re coming to the South from outside the country. You don’t want to return home with large medical bills or be stranded on the side of the road due to car trouble. You’ll also want to make sure your phone stays charged in case of an emergency, so having a charger in your vehicle is a good idea.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
As a solo traveler, you have to be prepared for the region you want to explore.
For instance, if you go into the mountains, don’t ever leave without enough food and water supplies to last you the entire trip. If the trip is longer than a few days, it would be best to find a good emergency kit with everything you need to keep going. Check out this list of emergency food suppliers to compare prices and offers.
It’s also important to keep in mind that the houses in rural areas are far apart since most are farms surrounded by the lands they cultivate. So, if you are staying outside of a city and need help, you may have to cover a lot of land before you find someone.
Learn a Few Survival Skills
The South covers a huge area (several states) with different climatic zones and various elevations. The general feel of the South is hot and humid, with long summers and lots of open areas for crops. But there’s a lot more to this land than this first impression. From the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River (one of the longest in the world) to the swamplands of the Gulf Coast, the South has a wide range of adventures to keep outdoor adventurers passionately occupied.
That’s why it pays to know a few survival skills, like how to get clean water, how to cook over a campfire and how to get food when there’s no store around. For instance, you could learn how to fish or hunt. Also keep in mind that you may run into some dry counties in states like Alabama and Tennessee.
Additionally, it also helps to know how to get cover in case of a storm or heavy rain and how to recognize the signs of bad weather, as popup thunderstorms are common in the South.
The South is a beautiful area where you’ll find friendly people ready to lend a hand. Still, it’s crucial that you know how to take care of yourself (especially if you plan on exploring the wilder areas).
