Many people have expressed concern about my traveling into the mountains by myself for 6 weeks So I began to think–thanks to the incessant media coverage about black boxes, pings, and towed pinger locators–that the world needs personal black boxes. Someone could make a great deal of money by inventing a personal pinger device for crazy old people who wander off by themselves in the land of bears and wolves.

Well, it turns out smarter people have been developing and marketing personal locator beacons for quite some time. I forgot about back-country skiers who take along beacons in the event they get stuck in an avalanche. And a quick Google search for personal locator beacon turned up small devices in the $200-$250 range. Cheaper models are also available but they do not have special GPS tracking. Those with special GPS tracking will notify rescuers within minutes after you send a signal and direct searchers to within a few hundred yards of your location. Devices without special GPS tracking take up to 30 minutes to send your signal and direct searches to within 1/2 mile or so.

No brainer: spring for the expensive one.

This all addresses a broader topic of preparing myself for a safe trip. I have put a great deal of time sewing, crocheting, and redecorating my camper. I have obtained everything to solarize the camper so I can use the computer, lights and heater if needed. I have stocked up on Kindle books and Sudoku.

But what about ME? Am I ready? It takes a bit of physical exertion to set up the popup camper. I will also get out as often as possible in my inflatable kayak. So, I told my doc what I am up to this summer and expressed some concern about the history of heart disease in my family. Both of my grandfathers died of heart disease. My mom and dad had heart attacks. Mom is still alive and has a pacemaker and defibrillator. I have an uncle who died in his 50s from a heart attack. I am on high cholesterol meds. So, my doc said it would be wise to visit a cardiologist for some basic testing. Just to make sure. Okay, I will. I have checked with my insurance and have a referral. Next step: make appointment.

If you read my book “Whirled: Life, Loss, and Healing on the High Plains” you may be wondering if losing my friend Bob to a heart attack (he was 59) has anything to do with my paranoia.Yes. I am thinking that I can honor Bob by taking care of myself and doing some proactive screening. He would be happy about that. He was always fussing about me but never took care of himself.

And of course, I will save my pennies for a personal locator beacon. I guess that ancient Girl Scout motto still rattles around my brain: Be Prepared.

Here is the one I am going to buy (has flotation capability which would be nice if I have an emergency in the kayak. )