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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Parking? (Viewed 21428 times)
MascoTJ 


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Parking?
< on 6/2/2016 6:14 PM >
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Whats up guys,

So yesterday I posted a thread here about finding new locations and a few people mentioned just driving around. Now I was wondering if I were to find an abandon location where would be the best place to park? I know that with each location parking can vary greatly but I'm just looking for some tips that veteran users may know from experience.




EsseXploreR 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 1 on 6/2/2016 6:59 PM >
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Parking out front is frowned upon sometimes but I think it's great. You can keep an eye on your car while wandering around, and the amount of time to get spotted is significantly reduced. Although I do need to have some sort of excuse for parking in questionable places sometimes. Usually "I was taking photos of the lake" or whatever the situational equivalent is.



[last edit 6/2/2016 7:09 PM by EsseXploreR - edited 1 times]

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mookster 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 2 on 6/2/2016 7:11 PM >
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Use your common sense is the best tip anyone can give.

Me and my buddies have parked cars over a mile away and walked to locations before because it was the only place to put a car without it looking suspicious.




anatonic 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 3 on 6/2/2016 9:34 PM >
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As stated parking off site is generally ideal, but also keep in mind that the point of that, as Essexexplorer said is to minimize time getting spotted. You want to make sure your far away parking doesn't involve a mile trek on a busy road. Nothing else will flag you more than a group of people with backpacks walking towards a disused building. Look for woods, ideally on the back of the property.




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ROMNEY 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 4 on 6/2/2016 10:13 PM >
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Personally, I like to use Google Maps or similar and search the surrounding area, then park somewhere nondescript like a fast food parking lot or big box store lot or whatever, if possible.

It pays to walk/hike a little bit. Depending on the place, parking out front may or may not mean the difference between getting caught/detained.




Peptic Ulcer 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 5 on 6/2/2016 11:01 PM >
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Mrs Ulcer and I have rather expensive vehicles. That coupled with the fact that I'm in my 40's has allowed me to park right in front and look like I belong there. I actually had a cop stop while I was jimmying a lock, I waved and he drove off.

Parking is always tricky but as I see it you have two choices. Park far away and hike in, or right up close and and act like you own it! I'm a fat, old, smoker so I opt for the latter.




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Forgotten Beauty Photography 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 6 on 6/2/2016 11:19 PM >
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I tend to be a long-haul approach kind of guy - I'll park somewhere nondescript and hike in. If there's water access, I'll launch my kayak from a little ways away and get in from the water. I figured the extra hike/paddle is worth the lack of hassle later on.

However, it really depends on the situation. There are certainly times when parking close works better (for example, if there's a nondescript area nearby to park in). Not looking like you're out of place is a good thing!




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blackhawk 

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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 7 on 6/2/2016 11:44 PM >
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Posted by mookster
Use your common sense is the best tip anyone can give.

Me and my buddies have parked cars over a mile away and walked to locations before because it was the only place to put a car without it looking suspicious.


*groan* Common sense appears to be a recessive gene.

When you take advice from strangers who know nothing about the exact situation you (may) encounter... things can go very wrong.

I don't believe you've even mention what state let alone city/location you're exploring in.
That would help when asking for advice.

Did you know that paranoia can drive you insane?




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Forgotten Beauty Photography 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 8 on 6/3/2016 1:07 AM >
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Posted by blackhawk


*groan* Common sense appears to be a recessive gene.


So... are you saying I should not drive my car directly through the wall of the building I plan to explore? I thought I'd basically solved all my problems finding a POE.

It would kind of explain the cops yelling and shooting at me though. Huh.




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blackhawk 

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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 9 on 6/3/2016 1:16 AM >
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Posted by Forgotten Beauty Photography


So... are you saying I should not drive my car directly through the wall of the building I plan to explore? I thought I'd basically solved all my problems finding a POE.

It would kind of explain the cops yelling and shooting at me though. Huh.



I'm sure it's been done
Usually that's reserved for ATMs, and convenience stores by creative robbers.
Myself and others have driven straight up and even inside... through an existing entrance to park at sites.
The OPs question is simply too general and broad to effectively answer... again.




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Dee Ashley 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 10 on 6/3/2016 2:05 AM >
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Almost every time I've run into problems while exploring, it has been related to my car or my parking spot. The most notable was my car getting towed while I was in another state, alone, with no help in sight. If your gut is telling you to suck it up and walk, then walk. If the stars align just right and parking front and center looks like the best choice (sometimes, it is), then go for it, but don't ignore that instinctive gut feeling, that's when things tend to go badly. Bottom line is don't ignore common sense because you want to be lazy. I know it sounds obvious, but the shortest route can be really tempting on a hot day with a shitload of camera gear to carry, even when it's clearly the wrong choice.

If I didn't live in a vortex where despite being only about 5 miles from the third largest airport in the country, I have no bus, train, or other public alternative routes besides a lot of Uber drivers, I'd leave my car in the garage to explore whenever possible.




I wandered till the stars went dim.
Dee Ashley 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 11 on 6/3/2016 2:13 AM >
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Posted by blackhawk

...Myself and others have driven straight up and even inside... through an existing entrance to park at sites...

I love these sites! Embrace them, they don't come along very often.


...The OPs question is simply too general and broad to effectively answer... again.


Agreed. Each situation is different and always changing depending on weather, personal safety, region, physical ability, etc, etc. The most common issue with parking, IMO, is visibility. Nine times out of ten, you want to park in the least visible location you can. Sometimes, as Peptic pointed out, visible is better, but this is the exception.




I wandered till the stars went dim.
blackhawk 

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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 12 on 6/3/2016 2:26 AM >
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Posted by Dee Ashley

I love these sites! Embrace them, they don't come along very often.



Agreed. Each situation is different and always changing depending on weather, personal safety, region, physical ability, etc, etc. The most common issue with parking, IMO, is visibility. Nine times out of ten, you want to park in the least visible location you can. Sometimes, as Peptic pointed out, visible is better, but this is the exception.


Drive-ins are so much fun

The real trick is not being seen driving or walking into the site. Many times I use RR tracks through wooded and none wooded areas to access sites. Not many tracks in W TX

The best way into Beth Steel were the tracks unless RR employees saw you. Otherwise it looked like you were walking the tracks. I park in the lot on the west side but about 3 blocks away with other cars. Still it was wisest to go predawn...

I refer you to my tag line below as it applies...




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xraychick 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 13 on 6/3/2016 8:36 AM >
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Posted by Peptic Ulcer
Mrs Ulcer and I have rather expensive vehicles. That coupled with the fact that I'm in my 40's has allowed me to park right in front and look like I belong there. I actually had a cop stop while I was jimmying a lock, I waved and he drove off.

Parking is always tricky but as I see it you have two choices. Park far away and hike in, or right up close and and act like you own it! I'm a fat, old, smoker so I opt for the latter.


this for me too.





Explorer Zero 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 14 on 6/3/2016 9:49 PM >
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generally I park a long ways off and hike in




YotaMan20 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 15 on 6/4/2016 6:14 AM >
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I'm not sure where you are but the struggle is definitely real in a rural area. I've come across several places and thought that maybe the best way to park is on the shoulder as if I had run out of gas...




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Explorer Zero 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 16 on 6/4/2016 12:33 PM >
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Posted by YotaMan20
I'm not sure where you are but the struggle is definitely real in a rural area. I've come across several places and thought that maybe the best way to park is on the shoulder as if I had run out of gas...


I used that ploy myself like at the old Rattlesnake Bomber base I parked about a mile away from the property and raised the hood on my car.

Im rural too it does pose special challenges not the least of which is somebody just walking around or entering private property draws certain attention. Unlike the city where thousands of people see you but ignore you. Out here they will stop and ask what youre doing even if its not their property!




YotaMan20 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 17 on 6/4/2016 7:29 PM >
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Post by 2Xplorations

I used that ploy myself like at the old Rattlesnake Bomber base I parked about a mile away from the property and raised the hood on my car.

Im rural too it does pose special challenges not the least of which is somebody just walking around or entering private property draws certain attention. Unlike the city where thousands of people see you but ignore you. Out here they will stop and ask what youre doing even if its not their property!


Right and I feel like in a rural area your 90% more likely to see them with a shotgun.
specifically farmers are very protective of their land or even the abandoned house next to it.

I'm not sure how I would feel about raising my hood around here. I drive a Toyota 4x4 which are getting stolen left and right. It certainly adds a certain confirmation of trouble though.

But a cop of whatever pulls over to help and magically the car starts right up?
lol
I guess one could say that it was overheating and they took a walk while the temp dropped.




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Darendor 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 18 on 6/4/2016 7:34 PM >
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I would say that the place to park would depend vastly on the location and the surrounding vicinity.


Parking in front of an abandoned location where there's active sites (and therefore people) is probably not a great idea, so therefore you're better off parking in, say, the parking lot of a department store (and not way off by yourself in the loneliest corner of the lot either).

However, some people like to lug photography and survival equipment with them, so parking nearby has its advantages.


So yeah, it's different for each location. The bottom line here is to not stick out.


Oh, and for God's sake, make sure your vehicle is in good condition. Nothing worse than happening upon a secret meeting of The Sacred Murderers Of Lord CowPig The Third and having to run for your life back to your car, only to find out the starter motor shit the bed....




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Dee Ashley 


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Re: Parking?
< Reply # 19 on 6/8/2016 12:30 PM >
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Posted by Darendor


Oh, and for God's sake, make sure your vehicle is in good condition. Nothing worse than happening upon a secret meeting of The Sacred Murderers Of Lord CowPig The Third and having to run for your life back to your car, only to find out the starter motor shit the bed....


The secret meeting of the Sacred Murderers of Lord Cowpig the Third?? LMAO, that is so profoundly awesome.




I wandered till the stars went dim.
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