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ESCAPE POD · 11-02-2010, 03:27 PM

Anyone tried overnight parking in church parking lots? I've heard they can be reliable places for a free night's docking, but let us know your experiences, advice, etc.

Cheers,
Jerry & Susan

Lily&Me · 11-02-2010, 03:45 PM

We have, several times, in rural areas. We never stay in these on Wednesday or Saturday nights, and have never had a problem of any sort. We simply stay, and leave the next am, leaving no trace of our stop.

If you see a parsonage nearby, might knock on the door and ask permission. One pastor offered us the use of showers in his home or the church.

Maggie

boondockdad · 11-02-2010, 04:09 PM

Church parking lot is great. Especially if they celebrate a morning mass you can attend before setting out on your days journey.

mello mike · 11-02-2010, 04:15 PM

We do that on long trips but we only doc at night and if we're a member of that church. Haven't had any problems at all.

AirsDream · 11-02-2010, 05:33 PM

I've done it ... just last week, in fact. But only after calling ahead and getting permission ... and especially in small towns, asking the pastor if he can let the police know it's o.k. Most larger places have zoning / vagrancy (??!!) laws that preclude such "camping," but if the pastor talks to the police in small towns, it always seems to work out o.k. Not sure it'd work in e.g. Chicago or L.A. ...

Mike Leary · 11-02-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

We never stay in these on Wednesday or Saturday nights

A good rule to follow. We stayed in a church parking lot one Saturday, seemed nice and quiet. Much to our embarrassment, turned out shortly there arrived a Mennonite congregation, getting ready to have their Saturday services. We pulled out, red faced.

Lily&Me · 11-03-2010, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

A good rule to follow. We stayed in a church parking lot one Saturday, seemed nice and quiet. Much to our embarrassment, turned out shortly there arrived a Mennonite congregation, getting ready to have their Saturday services. We pulled out, red faced.

We stayed in the lot of an old, rural West Virginia church on a Friday night a couple of years ago. There was a rippling creek and lots of trees, very pretty.

While having our morning coffee, women arrived very early to set up for the annual cookout and bake sale which paid winter heating bills. We had a nice chat with them, made a donation to the church fund and moved on.

Maggie