Sleeping in a Walmart Parking Lot

Mostly I felt awkward and out of place. But I made it work.

It was the spring of 2020 when I spent my very first night sleeping in a Walmart parking lot in Sweetwater, Texas.

Was I scared? A little.

Mostly, I felt awkward and out of place. Walmart had always been somewhere I stopped for groceries, not somewhere I imagined spending the night.

But after eight long hours of driving through the harsh Texas sun, my eyes burning from the glare off I-20, I was exhausted. I needed rest more than pride.

The Walmart sat just off the interstate with an easy exit, so I pulled in.

I parked far from the front entrance where I wouldn’t attract attention from late-night shoppers. After locking everything up, I went inside and picked up a rotisserie chicken, some bread, chocolate peanut butter cookies, and a can of dog food.

At the service desk, I asked if overnight parking was allowed, but no one seemed to know who to ask. On my way back outside, I spotted a security guard slowly making his rounds through the parking lot.

I waved him down and explained that I was traveling in my camper van and just needed a safe place to sleep for the night. I promised I’d leave at first light.

He smiled and told me I’d be just fine.

That small moment of kindness stayed with me.

Back inside the van, I pulled my blackout curtains tightly closed, ate my chicken, watched a couple of YouTube videos, and settled into bed.

And honestly?

I slept like a baby.

Before sunrise, I woke naturally, made myself a cup of coffee, and pulled back onto the highway feeling rested and grateful. Another four hundred miles waited ahead of me before my next stop at a rest area east of El Paso.

That night taught me something important:

Sometimes safety, rest, and peace come from the places you least expect.

If you've ever traveled long-distance, lived on the road, or spent a night in an unexpected place, I'd love to hear your story in the comments.

Kindly,

Carol