Well, your experience has made me feel much better! The last time I was this adventurous on my own was when I was in my early 20s, and I'm now in my late 40s. After I had my son in 1988, I calmed down a bit and stopped driving alone on trips at night.

You mentioned the "Call for police" sign, and I think I've seen those kinds of signs already printed up, so I'll take a look for one. I think I'd like to get some pepper spray or something like that, too. I'm very wary of strangers, so I don't plan to talk to any along the way, which is unfortunate. I'm sure waitresses and other workers in places will be OK, though. In today's world, you just don't know the motive of many seemingly kind strangers, and my nature is to trust everyone--but as I said, fear, especially from movies when I was younger, has taken over. I'm hoping that maybe that goes away, because I think I'd get a more full experience getting to know others along the way!

Thanks so much for your reply!!