Date:         Fri, 18 May 2001 09:02:12 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris Smith <chris.smith@aquila.net>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Smith <chris.smith@aquila.net>
Subject:      Re: The Wal Mart Camping Experience
In-Reply-To:  <00c601c0df38$9079adf0$74c50441@C1598175A>
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

At 08:19 PM 5/17/01, Tom Salicos wrote:
>Seems that during the winter, you could park really close to the Christmas
>Trees in the parking lot and, if you parked really close, you could
>pretend you were in a real forest.  Would save a WHOLE LOT of gas!
>

I've held back all morning, but now I can't.  I do not like Wal-Mart
offerings, policies, or customer service myself, so I don't shop there.  If
you do, then go ahead and shop.  This is just my personal belief and is not
intended to change anyones mind.  As far as camping goes, I have parked in
*many* strange places over the years.  Truck stops, Wal-Marts, back
streets, rest stops, and industrial parks have all been called home for the
night.  I have never had a major safety concern, but I have been given the
"bum's rush" a few times.

For me it comes down to the lesser of evils.  I will drive an extra hour to
a formal camp site most times, and always with the girls.  They seem to
need a place to blow off steam and run around for a bit before we hit the
road again.  With them the journey is as enjoyable as the destination.  It
has taken us 3 days to get from St. Louis to Chicago once, and it was the
best family trip we've had yet.

When I'm driving alone, miles are the goal.  Often I will spend every other
night where there are showers and a friendly smile to the westy.  If it's
late and no where near a campground or cheap motel, I'll park almost
anywhere to grab a few Zs.  Not being a fan of Wal-Mart I'm even happier to
spend the night there, using their taxed property for my sleep and not
giving them a dime.  Sort of why I like McDonald's.  They have clean
restrooms.  I don't choose to eat there, but I have no problem stopping in
one to "take care of business".

As far as safety goes, I lock doors at night, sleep light, and be ready to
move if I get spooked (it's happened *very* few times).

TGIF
Chris Smith


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