[at-l] RE: at-l Parking overall

[TRich at FDIC.gov (Rich, Timothy D.)]

Greetings,

Good idea, William.

In our sections from Georgia until Carlisle, PA, we drove.  Since then (PA
through Gorham, NH) we've flown and then rail/bus/shuttled to and from the
trailhead.  When driving, we left the car where we intended to end up and
got a ride back to our starting point.  

We've never had a problem with my car when hiking, but we have been careful
about where we left it.  Motels along the trail will generally let you park
there for a week or so, particularly if you stay there the night before your
hike starts.  Some businesses in trail towns allow parking, and we just
hiked or hitched into town.  Shuttle providers near the trail have let us
park in their yard.  We have parked in some isolated spots and been fine.
We parked one time off Skyline Drive on the side road to Pocosin Cabin.  If
you choose to nestle your car in an out of the way place, make sure you
don't block access or a gate.  

Because of the number of problems with parking around US 19 in NC, we were
nervous about leaving a car there.  As it happens, a friend from Hampton
bought Christmas trees from one of the locals there, and she asked about us
leaving a car at his house.  It worked out fine and was a relief as we
passed a parking area near there littered with broken window glass.

Regarding Lojack, it's unlikely you'll have coverage near the AT.  Even in
states where they claim full coverage, they measure that by having coverage
of "over 80% of the population", not area.  So, in Mass., NJ, CT and MD,
coverage might not be where the AT is.  I think it's safe that NY, PA and NH
coverage areas don't include the AT.  No coverage in the rest of the states.
For other alarm types, someone (other than the perp) has to hear it.  A kill
switch is a good idea.  On older cars, you can pull the coil wire in a few
seconds.

Bottom line, they're just cars.  I drive mine (72 chevy pickup, 65 mustang)
and fix them if they break.  A coworker has a 66 'vette that is competition
quality.  He rarely drives it, insisting that it will lose $5,000 in value
if it were caught out in the rain.

What a pity for a car, or a body for that matter.  Both are built to be
used.

Take Care,

Tim

-----Original Message-----
William Neal nealb@midlandstech.com said: 

I think we ought to discuss parking overall since we often have "newbies"
and "lurkers".  

Parking troubles vary from place to place.  <<snipped>>