Date:         Thu, 17 May 2001 17:37:02 EDT
Reply-To:     Oxroad@aol.com
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey R <Oxroad@aol.com>
Subject:      Re: Wal-Mart parking
Content-Type:  text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 5/17/2001 12:03:46 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
wolzphoto@worldnet.att.net writes:

> Since you've got their ear, ask them if there is a list published (or on a
>  web site) listing their locations and at which we can or cannot park.

When it comes to Wal Mart camping I myself have a "don't ask, don't tell
policy". As far as I'm concerned they are all camper friendly.

But of course I guess it's better to know.

I consider myself a bit of an expert in WalMart camping. For those who
haven't done it, it is a pretty good deal. First off it's free. Second you
have the restroom open in the morning I've always found them clean and well
maintained-- and sometimes a McDonalds inside. If no McDonalds there is
usually a breakfast place close and or you can buy Pringles and Spam from the
WalMart.

But the WalMart deal is especially useful when you are just passing through.
And as one listee said with the infultration of Walmart running towns out of
business, who wants to spend time in a town with only a WalMart and a bunch
of burnt out mom and pop stores anyway?

But truth is I usually find other campers in the WalMart, and that makes me
feel a bit safer than being the sole survivor in an empty lot--not that I
advise fraternising in a parking lot at night in a town where you are a
stranger. I think you are definately safer in an authorised campground as I
suppose you could run into a "rest stop type preditor" in a parking lot even
if others are camping there--or possibly in some cases others are the exact
problem.

From my experience the best WalMart "camp ground" is in Cody, WY when you
have to spend the night waiting for the Yellowstone gate to open in the
morning. That's not to say Cody isn't worth spending some time in as
well--just not necessarily spending the time (and money) in a campground.

The scariest WalMart by far was Elko, NV. But still I stayed there without
incident.

No Vanagon content follows, or precedes for that matter:

POLITICAL NOTE:

And on a politcal note -- yeah I think we're doing oursleves in with
convieience. But I'm guilty of patronising WalMart. And as a result of people
like me I suffer the consequences of only having a large generalised parts
stores like Pep Boys, NAPA,  and Kragers auto parts here in Burbank, CA.
(still hopelessly looking for a mom and pop forigen parts store where I can
get bosch parts, info, and good advice closer than an hour from here.)

Long live the now defunct VCI Foriegn Auto Parts in Dover,NJ where the
counter guys, Doug, Tony, and Jack used to school me in VW repair.

Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA


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