Recovered/Located NV - Ronnie (found deceased) & Beverly Barker (taken for med care), RV trip, Stagecoach, 27 Mar 2022

[lonetraveler]

When this thread first opened, I figured someone must have entered the motorhome while they were getting gas and maybe both of them went inside the store and did not lock the doors. I did that once. My card did not work at the pumps so I had to go inside the store to pay for the gas. I forgot to lock the door to my motorhome. When I came out of the store, a man exited my motorhome in a big hurry. He obviously got into it while I was inside the store. He did not expect to find my two Boxers inside, a male named Oscar, 85 lbs of no nonsense and Maggie, his partner, 80 lbs of mouth sitting on the couch. I would never travel alone without my protection. LOL

 

[Lilibet]

I have driven a Diesel Pusher for many years alone, thus that is how I acquired the username, Lonetraveler. I may be considered 'old fashioned' but I have driven thousands of miles during my career and then alone with my RV and there is no way in hell I would ever use GPS exclusively. I always have a hard copy atlas of the areas I have traveled. And I would get local road maps as well. I admit I have more experience and years of traveling than regular people and tend to be a bit over cautious.

I’m in awe @lonetraveler! I mentioned in an earlier post that we were full-time RVers for 8+ years (2003-11) and as navigator I was “old fashioned” too. I had an accordion file case where I kept Triple A maps and RV Park info filed by the states were planned to pass through. And I had a Rand McNally atlas. Like you, we picked up local road maps. My husband is more trusting of technology for navigating and looking for RV Parks, but thankfully I refused to rely on his precious GPS (and iPhone toward the end.)

 

[anneg]

When this thread first opened, I figured someone must have entered the motorhome while they were getting gas and maybe both of them went inside the store and did not lock the doors. I did that once. My card did not work at the pumps so I had to go inside the store to pay for the gas. I forgot to lock the door to my motorhome. When I came out of the store, a man exited my motorhome in a big hurry. He obviously got into it while I was inside the store. He did not expect to find my two Boxers inside, a male named Oscar, 85 lbs of no nonsense and Maggie, his partner, 80 lbs of mouth sitting on the couch. I would never travel alone without my protection. LOL

You seem like a very wise person! I'll bet you have a lot more stories...

 

[lonetraveler]

I’m in awe @lonetraveler! I mentioned in an earlier post that we were full-time RVers for 8+ years (2003-11) and as navigator I was “old fashioned” too. I had an accordion file case where I kept Triple A maps and RV Park info filed by the states were planned to pass through. And I had a Rand McNally atlas. Like you, we picked up local road maps. My husband is more trusting of technology for navigating and looking for RV Parks, but thankfully I refused to rely on his precious GPS (and iPhone toward the end.)

We're totally traveling sisters. LOL

 

[lonetraveler]

You seem like a very wise person! I'll bet you have a lot more stories...

Oh yes, I could probably write a novel. LOL

 

[lonetraveler]

Also, I would never, as a woman, go anywhere without a weapon. It has come in very handy in a few cases.

 

[anneg]

I’m in awe @lonetraveler! I mentioned in an earlier post that we were full-time RVers for 8+ years (2003-11) and as navigator I was “old fashioned” too. I had an accordion file case where I kept Triple A maps and RV Park info filed by the states were planned to pass through. And I had a Rand McNally atlas. Like you, we picked up local road maps. My husband is more trusting of technology for navigating and looking for RV Parks, but thankfully I refused to rely on his precious GPS (and iPhone toward the end.)

I have a good sense of direction and a good memory of places I've been before (DH doesn't). I've loved and collected maps all my life. When we travel, I always have paper maps and my iPhone handy. No remote areas for us...we're too old for that, plus we need roadside facilities!

 

[Kecharaeq2]

Good followup but I'm not seeing any action items just complaints and confirmation about the delays and their results in this and another case.

Getting alerts and searches started is very location-dependent. With state, county & city jurisdictions sometimes overlapping in all areas of the country, it is going to be very, very difficult to solve the DELAY issues.

Each jurisdiction reacts differently and has its own protocols (or lack of them). That is unlikely to change.

It seems to me each state needs a dedicated SAR team that can look at resources where an incident or potential victim is located and coordinate the response so it can be more timely and hopefully more successful.

My perspective is just one. I'd like to know how others think response time and bureaucracy can be overcome in these emergency situations that are often complicated.

JMO

ETA: There was a delay in reporting the Barkers missing from their intended destination on 3/29. No one has ever explained that, have they? A better jurisdiction response would not change that.

It seemed like at least part of the issue, at least in the Barker case, was that it was unclear where they were lost so it made it difficult to know which agency should take the lead on it. Perhaps in future cases, it would be helpful to have the state investigators take the lead on the case until it’s clear what agency should be running it?

As far as their health issues… There were so many health issues that could have been involved. Just being at higher elevations can cause breathing problems and lack of oxygen could have caused fuzzy thought processes.

Just a couple of thoughts and Moo.

 

[airportwoman]

Beverly made have told him that the whole experience was very spiritual, or even religious (although keep in mind that the altitude and possible blood sugar issues may have been a factor). Also, they were both large people, and she needed to walk quite a distance to collect an amount of snow that would melt down into just a few ounces of water.

 

[Kecharaeq2]

Beverly made have told him that the whole experience was very spiritual, or even religious (although keep in mind that the altitude and possible blood sugar issues may have been a factor). Also, they were both large people, and she needed to walk quite a distance to collect an amount of snow that would melt down into just a few ounces of water.

He didn’t go out there to die. Their RV got stuck, then as they tried to get back out with their tow car, it got stuck too. They were in an area with no cell service so they had to wait for SAR to find them.
In addition, Beverly had some difficulty walking and normally used a walker or wheelchair. From what I remember, the area that they were stuck in was all gravel, so those walks were probably difficult in that regard too. She couldn’t just hop out and grab some snow.

 

[neesaki]

I think they thought like most people. Driving through an area, not thinking about the worst that could happen. Most travelers I think are like that....we have followed GPS on our motorcycle before and got off on horrible backroads.

I thought like this when I was younger, in my 20’s . After I became a mom, I became a “worst case scenario” type thinker. Be prepared. IOW, on our backpacking trips my backpack was as heavy as I could bear.
This was before the GPS days. We had maps…. the real ones. And compasses, water, water filters, etc. Scout motto… Be prepared. Technology changed all that, to some degree for the better, but to some degree not so much, when we become too dependent on it.

 

[Lilibet]

Oh yes, I could probably write a novel. LOL

Or be in a movie like 2021 Oscar-winning “Nomadland,” which I still need to see. The director used real full time RVers.

 

[LaborDayRN]

I thought like this when I was younger, in my 20’s . After I became a mom, I became a “worst case scenario” type thinker. Be prepared. IOW, on our backpacking trips my backpack was as heavy as I could bear.
This was before the GPS days. We had maps…. the real ones. And compasses, water, water filters, etc. Scout motto… Be prepared. Technology changed all that, to some degree for the better, but to some degree not so much, when we become too dependent on it.

I can relate. In addition, I always made sure each of my children carried a good quality, LOUD whistle. It's a simple thing, but if kids get lost, it sure helps to find them!

 

[LaborDayRN]

Or be in a movie like 2021 Oscar-winning “Nomadland,” which I still need to see. The director used real full time RVers.

I keep telling myself I'm going to watch this too.....and haven't yet!

 

[Kecharaeq2]

I can relate. In addition, I always made sure each of my children carried a good quality, LOUD whistle. It's a simple thing, but if kids get lost, it sure helps to find them!

One thing that Beverly mentioned was that her husband taught her the SOS code by tapping it out with the horn. She said that was part of how they found her, so anything that can be used to make noise can help. Whistles are also good for kids in situations where they might be approached by a stranger.

 

[lonetraveler]

He didn’t go out there to die. Their RV got stuck, then as they tried to get back out with their tow car, it got stuck too. They were in an area with no cell service so they had to wait for SAR to find them.
In addition, Beverly had some difficulty walking and normally used a walker or wheelchair. From what I remember, the area that they were stuck in was all gravel, so those walks were probably difficult in that regard too. She couldn’t just hop out and grab some snow.

This is so very tragic and sad.

 

[al66pine]

Safer Travel. Less White Knuckle Driving.

... a Diesel Pusher for many years alone,...no way in hell I would ever use GPS exclusively. I always have a hard copy atlas... and...local road maps...

... full-time RVers... and as navigator ... accordion file case... Triple A maps and RV Park info filed by the states were planned to pass through... Rand McNally atlas...

sbm for focus bbm Post 9-11 as new retirees, we full timed for several years, and it was wonderful.
@lonetraveler @Lilibet Seems like great minds think alike about keeping hard copy maps and other safety measures on the road.

Lilibet mentioned the Mountain Directory* which helps drivers make informed decisions about whether to drive on a steep route, whether to go over or around a mtn.
Sample/demo at https://mountaindirectory.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/MountainDirectoryDemo.pdf
Scroll down to page 7 et seq. for map plus detail like,
"... locations and descriptions of mountain passes and steep grades -- how long they are, how steep (%) they are, whether the road is two lane, three lane, or four lane, if there are escape ramps, switchbacks, sharp curves, speed limits, etc."

Digital versions/ebooks downloaded to cell phone, tablet, device, serve (almost) same as hard copy, not dependent on GPS, connectivity, etc. {{ETA: But dependent on shore power or device's battery}} Very helpful. my2ct.
____________________________
* Hard copy versions for Western US & Eastern US are available on Amazon & other e-tailers.
^ https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Dir...e-Drivers/dp/0977629015/ref=monarch_sidesheet
** Digital versions (not avail thru Amazon afaik):
Digital Versions of the Mountain Directory - Mountain Directory

 

[airportwoman]

Or be in a movie like 2021 Oscar-winning “Nomadland,” which I still need to see. The director used real full time RVers.

The movie is great! (No plot spoilers) Some people have issues with seeing R-rated movies, so I'll tell you why it has one. There's a brief shot of Frances McDormand skinny-dipping in a hot spring. "Clean" nudity if there ever was! I also thought the movie was very uplifting, not depressing like some people described it.

 

[airportwoman]

Also, I would never, as a woman, go anywhere without a weapon. It has come in very handy in a few cases.

Men who engage in this lifestyle shouldn't, either.

Most of the time, when a police officer uses their weapon, it's to shoot an injured animal. I've heard that's the case with RVers, campers, etc. too.

 

[Lilibet]

Safer Travel. Less White Knuckle Driving.

Thanks for your kind words @al66pine. I’m glad you got to experience full-timing.

Speaking of white knuckling, Siskiyou Pass on I-5 near our home in the Rogue Valley (Oregon) makes me white knuckle even in a car! At 4310’, it’s the highest point on Interstate 5 between Canada and Mexico. We have lived here 38 years and have tried to never drive south into California between early November and mid-April to avoid the possibility of snow. Today (April 11) it snowed on the Valley floor and thankfully didn’t stick to I-5 at lower altitudes, but at higher altitudes I-5 required chains at times and was closed on and off at the summit. We currently have snow on our deck at 2000 feet.

This link below describes it well. My point being that any RVer who has not done their research could be caught off guard by the steep grades and curves even in good weather. It’s really easy to get going too fast and it’s not for the faint of heart! So if there’s anything we have learned from the Barker’s tragic experience, it’s imperative to know your route.

Siskiyou Summit in OR is one of the more perilous sections of Interstate 5

How bad is Siskiyou Pass?
The road includes some steep sections. The surface is paved and this stretch of road should not be attempted by novice drivers. The pass contains a hazardous stretch of the road starting from Milepost 18 of northbound I-5, which has a steep slope of 6%, negotiating a height of 2,000 feet (610 m) in a short road length of 6 miles (9.7 km). The descent along this highway is considered the most dangerous, particularly on foggy nights, when visibility is almost next to nothing. In spite of the hazards involved, 13,000 trucks ply this route every day.
BBM