when living in a populated area along the eastern shore, but became easier after my move to the mountains. Since I lived alone, it didn't take much gut, just an extra room or two.
I will tell you that one couple knew what I was doing and I could always call on them if/when I had to for things like baby formula in the middle of the night. (After her death, the severely depressed husband in that couple moved into my home and made the move to the mts. with me.)
An ex-police officer with some FBI training, a sharp-shooter with a big imposing body, he wore a gun to walk our Yorkie each morning as we have fox, coyotes, bear, big hawks, etc in our very remote area. Our visitors usually felt rather safe.
Here in the mts., one couple knew and I could call on them for help as when someone needed extra clothing and they went shopping for us.
We only came close to getting caught once, but I was warned by the previous driver that I may be followed as the thought maybe he was. I called my housemate and told him. He was prepared when I arrived.
By switching cars, rigging a body image, using a wig holder and imagination, my housemate left and made a right turn at the end of the 200 ft, downhill drive-way. With lights out, I stayed back and watched as two cars followed him, then I went down to the end, turned right and took our guests to our cabin; he took them to Walmart and bought some hemorrhoid wipes.
We even had fairly large parties here where our longer staying guests helped us prepare.
Yet to this day, only that one couple who helped us knows what we were doing.
So no; it did not take guts on my part - just resources which, fortunately, I had been given in the latter part of my life by an 'Unknown Hand' and told to use the wisely.
= new reply since forum marked as read