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**moosetags** · 02-18-2012, 07:58 AM

We have stopped at many Wal-Marts all over the country during our travels in Lucy. In addition to spending nights at Wal-Mart, we very often stop there for a break during the travel day. We have found that it is a good place to resupply and stretch our legs. It's not that we don't like to buy from other local businesses. It's just that many of them just can not easily accommodate Lucy and her tow vehicle.

We have become "Wal-Mart Sociologists". We have found that Wal-Mart is a microcosm of the community in which it is located. It starts in the parking lot. We have found that you can preview who and what you will find in a given Wal-Mart by the diameter of the oil spots on the parking lot surface in the spaces closest to the building. The larger the oil spot, the more disheveled the inside of the store.

We often do an "oil spot reading" before deciding to spend the night at a certain Wal-Mart.

Brian

fmrcaptevil · 02-18-2012, 08:23 AM

Great post, Brian.....I plan to use that joke in my "Walmart" routine.....

Chief · 02-18-2012, 08:49 AM

I like Walmart......it's the one place in the world that I can go that makes me feel good about my appearance. Now, Health Spas....that's a different story!:lol
Chief

marzboy · 02-18-2012, 08:55 AM

Not sure if I want this crowd skulking out side my ride...

People of Walmart

fmrcaptevil · 02-18-2012, 08:59 AM

OK, we're due for a GOOD Walmart story, for a change:

Three or four years ago, I inadvertently left my Discover Card at the cashier's station after swiping it. A few minutes later, as I was pushing my cart full of bargains to my car (being careful to avoid the oil spots), I heard someone calling my name. I turned around, and there she was.....my cashier, literally running towards me, waving my Discover Card!

Now, whenever I shop at that Walmart, if she's on duty, I'll get in her line just to get an opportunity to thank her again.

CrawfordGene · 02-18-2012, 11:29 AM

Thanks for the tip about the dollar store. I hate to dress up just to shop at Walmart.

I've been looking for a place that has a sign saying "No shoes, no shirt, welcome!"

Gene

clancy_boy · 02-18-2012, 11:51 AM

I have my favorite Walmarts and ones I avoid like the plague. They can be real close together in location but worlds apart in the shopping experience. I would rather drive to Walmart in Pass Christian, MS than the one in Waveland, MS -about 12 miles apart.

I have often posted about the one I overnighted in south of Nashville. They had sushi rolls in the deli, they had micro- brewery beer. The parking lot was well lit and the manager was very welcoming when I asked if I could spend the night. One request I honored was to not disconnect my truck from the AS. No problem.

Walmarts are what you make of them, I tend not to expect too much from them, it's a place to shop for milk and whatever else I need.

REDNAX · 02-19-2012, 07:37 PM

One request I honored was to not disconnect my truck from the AS.

That seems a minimum for any quick overnight, anywhere, doesn't it?

clancy_boy · 02-19-2012, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDNAX

One request I honored was to not disconnect my truck from the AS.

That seems a minimum for any quick overnight, anywhere, doesn't it?

True, and I would have never left my AS in a Walmart parking lot anyway. I think the manager just wanted to lay the ground rules for his parking lot and made it clear in the beginning. I have seen in several Walmart parking lots campers without the TV. I have also seen MOHO's with TOAD gear and no TOAD. It's not a campground, it's not a formal RV rest stop, it's a favor from a national chain that turns a blind eye to the un-official use of their lot.

I use Walmarts as described here - a quick (usually arrive after dark) rest stop and gone in the early AM. Food and snacks to return the favor for the use and gone.

**moosetags** · 02-19-2012, 09:57 PM

That's my MO also. In late, out early, buy some supplies.

Brian

REDNAX · 02-19-2012, 09:57 PM

Oh, I could see hanging around half the day and longer. A series of "shopping trips" to be sure I had all that was required. Some re-organizing of goods/supplies. Maybe a visit with someone or other as we catch a breath and recoup. But always with the understanding that it is a form of boondocking. Guess that having spent weekends as a truck driver in truckstops makes this not such an unusual arrangement between retailer and customer. That (truckstops) is when you earnestly wish for your own shower and toilet.

.

SilverRanger · 02-19-2012, 10:45 PM

I always ask permission, and sometimes it pays off. On one occasion in Pennsylvania, a manager directed us to a quiet, spot in the parking lot where "local kids didn't congregate after the football game". Not that I really expected it to be quiet, but was pleasantly surprised. Another time in California, a security guard led us to an area she considered the safest, and checked on us later. We're always out before sunrise too.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 02-20-2012, 12:12 AM

Hi, the Wal-Mart closest to my house used to let trucks and RV's stay overnight, but not anymore. More and more big rigs were parked in the same place for days. I thought it had to do with the major remodeling that they were doing, but after it was all done, the big rigs were still there. Along with that, the homeless RV's started staying there too. These were not travelers stopping on there way to their destination, but making this Wal-Mart parking lot their home. We have two other Wal-Marts close to our house; One shares it's parking lot with several stores, so it would not be able to let RV's stay there. The other one lets RV's stay there, I wouldn't feel safe in their parking lot.