Back in the 1980s my boyfriend and I decided to travel around the world before we settled and had a family. We had an old VW minivan, so we took the middle bench out, put down a mattress. We added a cookstove, George sewed curtains and voila, a little home on wheels was ours.
The car had lots of problems, but there were moments of bliss. My best night of sleep was in the desert in Texas at a highway rest stop. We opened the windows and closed the curtains and slept in the desert with the cactus looming silently under the stars.
The next morning I looked out the window and found someone had strung up a hammock in a tree and was sleeping in the open.
I had a great sense of calm, and a growing awareness that many people lived this simply. That night completely changed my perspective on what I wanted from life.
I'm so happy to learn that you and your husband had the opportunity to experience that joy you found early in your life. Living simple is not advertised so much in our society, but It's the best way all the way around for good health and living the best life. I had a similar experience as you when I was 19 and it's shaped by life so much. I'm glad I had that opportunity and that I took it. Tell us more about some of your early experiences on the open road. I'd love to hear some of them.
Though I've spent several nights in a van in freeway rest areas, my most adventurous nights have been bicycle touring across the US. In New Mexico, a small tourist town didn't have affordable accommodations and didn't allow camping within the town limits. I asked at a store where the closest spot to wild camp was. She directed me to an open spot at a road intersection a mile or so done the road. As I was setting up my tent, a woman stopped to see if I was okay. After explaining my situation, she said that this was a safe spot and that she just lived down the road. After that, I had no qualms and slept well. Asking permission always helps. I've slept in city parks with No Camping signs up, but got permission to spend the night.
I've had the same experience as you. I've slept in city parks that post a sign ___ it's ok to sleep here overnight, but drop the fee (which was usually low) in the drop box) which I was happy to do. But still I follow my gut feeling regarding safety wherever I go. I feel safe at roadside parks, but never would I stay if I'm the only vehicle there.
I have stayed in a Walmart parking lot in my van and found it sometimes restful, other times noisy, do you know about the iOverlander app? I've found good places on it. Haven't done it in a while since I've changed my traveling strategy. But more Walmarts on the West Coast aren't allowing it anymore unfortunately. Enjoying your writing very much!
It's good to learn that you've stayed at Walmart parking lots. Yes, I checked out the iOverlander app. I've never used it, but I plan to. I'm in Arizona and today I'm planning a trip to Tonto National Forest to see if I can catch a glimpse of Wild Horses. I understand they come out at pre-dawn to water. I know a lot of Walmart's have stopped letting people sleep overnight, because of the growing homeless population. I always call ahead to check which ones allow overnight parking and then I plan accordingly. I also stay at Cracker Barrell or Love Truck Stops. And sometimes roadside parks. And sometimes I pay for an over night stay. I'm glad you enjoy my writing.
In the documentary Will and Harper, they are road-tripping across the U.S. and spend a night (or at least an evening) in a Walmart parking lot. It was fun to see them in their camping chairs, eating Little Debbie’s while the sun set. I have a feeling the Walmart was thrilled to have the cameras and stars in their parking lot and I figured that’s why they let them be there. I’m glad to know they allow regular folks to stay there too. Sorry to hear from one of your other commenters that they are cutting back on that out west. I mean, seriously, they’ve got pretty darn big parking lots! Not always with shade, but plenty of space to be shared.
I haven't heard about Will and Harper documentary. Is it on you tube? Yes, Walmart is not wanting to share their parking lots for over nighters in some places. California has so many homeless people and I'm sure Walmart doesn't want them sleeping or begging for food in open spaces. It's so sad that America is not taking care of our citizens and its come down to this, but I'm sure Walmart is concerned about the negative effect homeless would have on their business.
Most of the Walmarts across the US are okay with not only van-campers parking overnight, but also welcome big rigs. The ones that don’t, have obvious signs up declaring NO OVERNIGHT PARKING, or after you park (hoping to park overnight) a security guard will politely (usually) ask us to move along. And if that happens, the guards usually can recommend a safe and legal place to park for the night.
Other favorite places that tolerate overnight parking are Lowe’s hardware, Ollies, Winco.
But my favorite and most reliable way to find a legal and safe (by far the safest & quietest) spot, is to venture off the Interstate, onto 2-lane, state hwys, for at least 15 miles into rural America. Parking, away from residences, is abundant, especially in the towns too small to have a Walmart.
Some small southern towns have abandoned businesses that would probably be a good place to sleep over without permission. Or I might stop by the police station and ask permission. One time I stopped off at a small town convince store and asked if I could sleep overnight. They seemed happy that I asked for permission. And of course, I filled my tank with gas and bought a few snacks for the road.
Back in the 1980s my boyfriend and I decided to travel around the world before we settled and had a family. We had an old VW minivan, so we took the middle bench out, put down a mattress. We added a cookstove, George sewed curtains and voila, a little home on wheels was ours.
The car had lots of problems, but there were moments of bliss. My best night of sleep was in the desert in Texas at a highway rest stop. We opened the windows and closed the curtains and slept in the desert with the cactus looming silently under the stars.
The next morning I looked out the window and found someone had strung up a hammock in a tree and was sleeping in the open.
I had a great sense of calm, and a growing awareness that many people lived this simply. That night completely changed my perspective on what I wanted from life.
Hi Elizabeth,
I'm so happy to learn that you and your husband had the opportunity to experience that joy you found early in your life. Living simple is not advertised so much in our society, but It's the best way all the way around for good health and living the best life. I had a similar experience as you when I was 19 and it's shaped by life so much. I'm glad I had that opportunity and that I took it. Tell us more about some of your early experiences on the open road. I'd love to hear some of them.
Though I've spent several nights in a van in freeway rest areas, my most adventurous nights have been bicycle touring across the US. In New Mexico, a small tourist town didn't have affordable accommodations and didn't allow camping within the town limits. I asked at a store where the closest spot to wild camp was. She directed me to an open spot at a road intersection a mile or so done the road. As I was setting up my tent, a woman stopped to see if I was okay. After explaining my situation, she said that this was a safe spot and that she just lived down the road. After that, I had no qualms and slept well. Asking permission always helps. I've slept in city parks with No Camping signs up, but got permission to spend the night.
Marianne,
I've had the same experience as you. I've slept in city parks that post a sign ___ it's ok to sleep here overnight, but drop the fee (which was usually low) in the drop box) which I was happy to do. But still I follow my gut feeling regarding safety wherever I go. I feel safe at roadside parks, but never would I stay if I'm the only vehicle there.
HI Carol,
I have stayed in a Walmart parking lot in my van and found it sometimes restful, other times noisy, do you know about the iOverlander app? I've found good places on it. Haven't done it in a while since I've changed my traveling strategy. But more Walmarts on the West Coast aren't allowing it anymore unfortunately. Enjoying your writing very much!
Hi Mary,
It's good to learn that you've stayed at Walmart parking lots. Yes, I checked out the iOverlander app. I've never used it, but I plan to. I'm in Arizona and today I'm planning a trip to Tonto National Forest to see if I can catch a glimpse of Wild Horses. I understand they come out at pre-dawn to water. I know a lot of Walmart's have stopped letting people sleep overnight, because of the growing homeless population. I always call ahead to check which ones allow overnight parking and then I plan accordingly. I also stay at Cracker Barrell or Love Truck Stops. And sometimes roadside parks. And sometimes I pay for an over night stay. I'm glad you enjoy my writing.
The nicest Walmart has to be the one in Eagle River, Alaska. Imagine waking up to those majestic mountains around you.
WOW! Please post a picture of it here. I want to see it!
In the documentary Will and Harper, they are road-tripping across the U.S. and spend a night (or at least an evening) in a Walmart parking lot. It was fun to see them in their camping chairs, eating Little Debbie’s while the sun set. I have a feeling the Walmart was thrilled to have the cameras and stars in their parking lot and I figured that’s why they let them be there. I’m glad to know they allow regular folks to stay there too. Sorry to hear from one of your other commenters that they are cutting back on that out west. I mean, seriously, they’ve got pretty darn big parking lots! Not always with shade, but plenty of space to be shared.
HI Amy,
I haven't heard about Will and Harper documentary. Is it on you tube? Yes, Walmart is not wanting to share their parking lots for over nighters in some places. California has so many homeless people and I'm sure Walmart doesn't want them sleeping or begging for food in open spaces. It's so sad that America is not taking care of our citizens and its come down to this, but I'm sure Walmart is concerned about the negative effect homeless would have on their business.
It was Netflix but maybe you can find it on You-Tube?
Most of the Walmarts across the US are okay with not only van-campers parking overnight, but also welcome big rigs. The ones that don’t, have obvious signs up declaring NO OVERNIGHT PARKING, or after you park (hoping to park overnight) a security guard will politely (usually) ask us to move along. And if that happens, the guards usually can recommend a safe and legal place to park for the night.
Other favorite places that tolerate overnight parking are Lowe’s hardware, Ollies, Winco.
But my favorite and most reliable way to find a legal and safe (by far the safest & quietest) spot, is to venture off the Interstate, onto 2-lane, state hwys, for at least 15 miles into rural America. Parking, away from residences, is abundant, especially in the towns too small to have a Walmart.
Hi Randolph,
Some small southern towns have abandoned businesses that would probably be a good place to sleep over without permission. Or I might stop by the police station and ask permission. One time I stopped off at a small town convince store and asked if I could sleep overnight. They seemed happy that I asked for permission. And of course, I filled my tank with gas and bought a few snacks for the road.
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