Wal-Mart Was a Tad Creepy

[LI Pets]

Stayed at a great Flying J last week in SC X 181, they had an RV area no trucks running, there were about 50 RV's, up at 6 grabbed coffee and hit the road.

CB are ok but sometimes too quit, Walmarts are our last choice had mixed results.

The Walmart in Homestead Fl had about 100 RV's many with awnings out grills going, that was a few years ago, it looked like they were there long term.

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

The presence of another AIRSTREAM is enough to encourage me to use a WalMart or a Truck Stop.

Church parking lots are actually sometimes very scarey. Stopped in one in the mountains of Appalacia on a Wednesday evening - just planned to make coffee, take a bathroom break and have a 20 minute nap. Ended up getting invited to their Wednesday service

...... complete with rattle snakes.

10 second pause and there was only dust where I and my Airstream had been. Coffee pot dropped into the sink, and hauled ASS! Put the steps up 20 miles down the road. Thank goodness that the FB's don't have the suicide door.

Paula

I think you freaked on what might had been an experience of a life time. The Holy Ghost People are quickly disappearing and you might had witnessed something soon to be only something of tales. The Lord moves in many ways, who says I am right and others are wrong. Why not experience it all?
The difference between an adventure and an ordeal is the Attitude.

[polarlyse]

During our couple of Walmart stay's I too find it comforting to see other RV'ers there. Perhaps it's simply that misery loves company. But really I have never had an issue with doing it. Ask permission, pick up a few necessities as a thank you and off early in the AM. I like the idea of their security people checking in. I'm a retired police officer but do not carry any handguns when traveling. But in case of that late night knock at the door I do keep a can of pepper spray in a kitchen cabinet. I can make a nuisance intruder pretty darned uncomfortable quickly. Roadside rest areas, while inviting, just don't appeal to me. Maybe I've watched too many TV shows but they scare me. Nice to have some people around.

[redwoodguy]

Originally Posted by polarlyse

But in case of that late night knock at the door I do keep a can of pepper spray in a kitchen cabinet.

Ok, that's not a bad idea.

Paula - - HA HA! +1

I think the consensus is clear here:
- Flying J -- pretty good
- Casinos - pretty good
- Wal-Mart - only if desperate
- Any place with rattlers - - haul ass!
I can't wait to hit the road again! I think this is going to be a real fun thing. But, I think we are grounded until the Feb. rally in Napa. Tick, Tick, Tick...

[wheel interested]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

I understand the desire to get somewhere fast and sleep several hours and get back on the road. I feel the same way sometimes, but after a couple of nights of little sleep, driving is harder and my attention is not too good. We want to relax in the evening, maybe watch some TV, become attached to wifi, have a good meal and get enough sleep.

It doesn't seem that Walmarts, rest areas and Flying J's make for enough sleep and a relaxing evening. If I were 30 years younger, maybe I'd see it differently.

Even on those long days driving cross country, we rarely get to a campground after 6 or 7 pm and we rarely leave before 10 am. That leaves 9 or 10 hours to drive with a short lunch break and a few gas fillups—500+ miles with interstates—and around 15 hours to regroup our minds, relax, sleep and eat. A campground seems worth it to make the trip better. Even after that approach, when we are traveling 3,000 miles or more to get somewhere, we take a two night break before we need to be admitted to a sanatorium on a 48 hour hold. There's usually something to see—maybe a museum, historic site, or just be lazy—and we can recover before we become road warriors again.

I think campgrounds average around $35 and it seems small price to pay for some semblance of sanity. A road trip should be fun.

And most important, Barb would not allow me to stop at Walmart, rest area or a Flying J, not that I haven't thought of it because I don't like paying $35. I have learned to keep my mouth shut (sometimes).

Gene

Different styles for different folks and Airstream has us all covered for whatever it is we want to do. Make me a passenger and I am the biggest baby and want to stop all the time and do any number of a million other things beside sit in the truck for hours, go figure. But there is not as much to do when you are traveling by yourself. Cranking out the tunes and watching all the big rigs and tooling along watching landscape and weather changes from sunrise to sunset on the highway is pure euphoria and intoxicating to me...better than TV. It's my kind of fun. Being on the road is often times more exhilarating than being at many destinations. I love stopping at truck stops (especially Iowa 80!) Should we have the time and money and health to actually tour America at our leisure some day, we would certainly take our time and stop to smell all the flowers we can. In fact, returning from Washington I did just that, exploring and lingering, attending the WBCCI International Rally unscheduled, even taking an impromptu caravan to Yellowstone and the Tetons with another woman traveling alone with her dog whom I met parked next to me in her 25' OB FB in Bozeman Montana. We spent a night at Wal-Mart too, I do believe. I also was invited and stopped to meet forum friends and Airstream dealers. We have spent the night at various Airstream dealerships and Zip Dee awnings and casinos in a couple of states, and even the kids' fancy smancy subdivision. We're not snobs. But for now we are destination oriented and must drink in the local flavor on the fly. I have driven solo to Florida several times and Washington state from Michigan without a single proper overnight stay, with every waking hour spent driving except when necessary to pull off the road for shut eye or substinence or gasoline. 16 hours at a shot isn't a problem behind the wheel and 20 in our younger days from Navy base to home or back was not an infrequent occurance by either of us. However on my trip to Oregon I stopped one night to catch a break because I was plain ol' weary of the sensation of moving and treated myself to the down time of a grounded sunset and sleeping without road noise and continually being buffeted by wind and traffic (even stopped) before heading back out in the morning. It can be challenging negotiating up down curvy roads in the darkness in some stretches. It was difficult just to stretch from gas station to gas station at one leg of that journey. We would love to live out West some day. Where we live now, we have to drive like crazy just to get out of Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, etc... before we even begin to be anywhere without big city congestion, so we don't delay at all on our way away. I truely enjoy the spontaneity and adventure of playing it completely by ear. We almost never make a reservation in advance but keep our options open as much as possible. And what's nice is when we do stop at Wal-Mart we can use our employee discount while restocking the Airstream! Isn't it more expensive to drive all day than to stop and camp over night anyway?

[FlashSilver]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

The Bay Area isn't RV friendly, and I'm unsure whether one can park an RV anywhere overnight on the street (especially, if it's occupied).

The closest RV resort that I know if is in Pacifica, about 15 miles south of SF:

San Francisco RV Resort | Park your RV on the Cliffs overlooking the Pacific Coastline

I think it's about $65 per night this time of year. There's another one at Candle Stick Park, but I haven't heard any good comments about that part of town. It probably isn't much better than what you describe. Although, I think they lock the place down at night.

There's also a KOA in Petaluma that is OK, and it's about $60. However, it's about 40 miles north of SF, over the Golden Gate Bridge.

San Francisco North / Petaluma KOA | Camping in California | KOA Campgrounds

If anyone knows of any better places near SF or Fremont, please let us know. I know that I'd sure appreciate some advice on RV camping in the Bay Area.

Just returned from Oakland, CA, visiting our son and his family for the holidays. We stayed at Chabot Regional Park, $30 per night with hook ups, $20 without. This was the first time ever we used hookups, second time we used electricity. We stayed 10 days and it was great, 8 miles from downtown Oakland and the campground is on the lake in a Eucalyptus grove. I don't think I will use the full service sites in the future, and pay $10 a day for sewage when there is a free dump station onsite, but it was nice nonetheless. Reservations recommended. Great hiking, biking, and a gun club nearby. http://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony_chabot.

[richinny]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

The Walmart in Homestead Fl had about 100 RV's many with awnings out grills going, that was a few years ago, it looked like they were there long term.

overnights are no longer an option at that location because of the 'residents'.

[Lothlorian]

Walmart's are great for power naps, lunch, and down time. I like them to pull off and nap for about two hours eat some food then hit the road. I have spent the night in a Walmart before. It worked out great. We were parked with about 6 truckers who were doing the same thing. Security gurad was always around. Slept hard and was ready to roll in the morning. We always call ahead before we stop to find out if other travelers will be there.

Brian

[Ag&Au]

Originally Posted by wheel interested

.......................
But there is not as much to do when you are traveling by yourself. Cranking out the tunes and watching all the big rigs and tooling along watching landscape and weather changes from sunrise to sunset on the highway is pure euphoria and intoxicating to me...better than TV. It's my kind of fun.

.................................................. ......

It's scary to me that you didn't mention paying attention to the road and traffic, etc.

I hope that was an oversight.

Ken

[polarlyse]

What, Pay attention to the road ???? Now there's a novel thought.

[rebelstand]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

I think you freaked on what might had been an experience of a life time. The Holy Ghost People are quickly disappearing and you might had witnessed something soon to be only something of tales. The Lord moves in many ways, who says I am right and others are wrong. Why not experience it all?
The difference between an adventure and an ordeal is the Attitude.

anything having to do with rattlesnakes should be avoided at all costs...

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Watch all six and you might learn a little somethin....
http://youtu.be/_nX0irC4Bgs

[zlee]

Thanks, I'll pass on experiencing the rattlesnakes. Really.

[edglenn]

Originally Posted by mojo

I know in Florida they actually closed some rest areas down due to crime and late night bodily transactions. I wouldn't spend much time at night unless they have a guard on duty.

Is that darn Congressman loose again?!?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by edglenn

Is that darn Congressman loose again?!?

Hey, In Illinois, we keep our politicians in jail where they can't roam the rest areas!

[Chief]

Our worst, and best, experiences occurred in single night. During our Great American Road Trip 2009, I had planned to spend the night at a Flying J in Albuquerque, NM after a long day of driving. It must be located under the final approach to the airport, as there were constant low-flying jets. That coupled with the truck noise/shower announcements, and finally the diesel pusher that parked four feet away with engine running, ran us out after about 2 hrs. So, I'm driving through Albuquerque around midnight when I see a Cracker Barrel sign......aah, a place to rest my head. After winding our way to the restaurant, we park and then realize......this place is kinda in a strange downtown location, and there is absolutely no sign of life anywhere. So, out with the iPhone to find the nearest Super Walmart.....plug the address into Ms. Garmin and another adventure begins. After numerous twists, and "recalculating" announcements we arrive at Walmart, having toured some neighborhoods that I don't want to return to. Fortunately, we were reassured by other RV's in the parking lot and managed to get a few hours sleep.

Now, for a weird thing. The next morning we decided to return to the afore mentioned Cracker Barrel for breakfast. When we walked in at 6:00 AM, we were the only customers. When we walked out at around 7:15 AM, we were still the only customers. I asked the lady about that, and she said that the day before they had not had the first customer until around 8:00. I have never seen a Cracker Barrel that did not have a large breakfast crowd.....was beginning to think that I had entered the Twilight Zone!

Of course, after a sleep-deprived night and a load of grease and carbs, I didn't make it too far out-of-town before I had to have a nap......at a Rest Area with the sign "Beware of Rattlesnakes." But, I have to tell you.......that did not keep me awake!

Chief

[ROBERT CROSS]

Chief,

Look at poor "Fado's" expression....



Bob

[rebelstand]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

Watch all six and you might learn a little somethin....
http://youtu.be/_nX0irC4Bgs

I am assuming it's about snakes and I know all I need to know which is to AVOID them and respect their abilities. I'm good with the rest, really I am. I'm sure they have magnificent abilities and reasons for being. I've almost been bitten by a rattlesnake and a cotton mouth.... my brother got bit by a Copper head. So yeah.. I'm good.

[Gene]

And if you are afraid of snakes, watch out for Snakes on a Plane!

Gene

[bukib]

Well I'll start of the new day. I'm not stopping at Wallyworld again. Ever!

They were just plain rude. I stopped and parked next to all the palm trees lined up next to the garden area because it gave me some shade. I did run over a few other plants but what the heck, Wallyworld can afford it. After putting out the slides, awning and jacks I made a drink and got out my lawn chairs. I then noticed a power cord attached to the fountain so I got out my 3 way and hooked up my coach and turned on the air. Ah, life is good. I then saw a picnic table that looked good so I pulled it over and set it up. I figured it would be a good place to hold my grill. The wife brought out some hot dogs and I started grilling. Darn things burst open spilling grease everywhere and the smoke was unbearable so I grabbed the hose laying there and put it all out and made another drink. I didn't think the blacktop would burn.

The next thing you know some snotty nose kid with a Walmart tag comes by and asks "what are ya doin?" I tell him I'm camping what the heck does it look like I'm doing? He gives me a dirty look and leaves. I had to make a double to calm my nerves.

Since the food was ruined The DW called in the store to see if they would bring out some fried chicken to us. Nope, no way! What? Here we are their guests and they won't even bring out food? I gave them a piece of my mind and made another drink.

The next thing you know some "manager type" comes out and says we have to pay for the picnic table with all the grease on it and we have to leave! Well let me tell you I told him so shove it and I'm not leaving until I talk to his manager or the owner of the store. The nerve of some people, I had to make another drink

Awhile later some guy shows up in what looks like PJ's and tells me to leave. No employee card, no suit no nothing saying HE was the manager. I tell him "I was born at night but not tonight". Buzz off and I made another drink after waving my 357 at him.

I then put on some rock and roll on my outside speakers to ease the pain and made another drink but a bunch of stuck up RV people came by and complained. Seems they like to go to sleep at 11pm so I guess they can wake me up at 10am with all their loud noise and nonsense.

The next thing I know the cops arrive and arrest me! Now I know my rights and so I tell them Sam Walton invited me! They don't seem to care... They probably don't even know who Sam is...

The cops also made a BIG deal out of me dumping my tanks in the grate next to my MH. I told them that those grates are for drainage and believe me my tanks needed draining. (idiots)

I've never met more inconsiderate, rude and un-agreeable people in all my life. So that's it for Wallyworld for me. From now on I'm going to camp somewhere else!