Date:         Fri, 22 Aug 2003 22:43:43 -0700
Reply-To:     Jim Arnott <jrasite@EONI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Arnott <jrasite@EONI.COM>
Organization: http://wetwesties.org/
Subject:      Re: stealth camping. Truck stop showers?
Comments: To: Stan Harrison <sharrison@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <3F46EE2F.4070904@alum.mit.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Flying J. <http://www.flyingj.com>

Here's what worked for us.

Early AM, late PM. Anytime they're not busy. Get 'Flying J Rewards'
card. Fuel. When paying for fuel mention that you'd like a shower. Pay
what ever she (they're all 'shes') asks. ($5.00 deposit) Pay attention!
She'll tell you which shower. Take receipt and find trucker's lounge.
 From there, find showers. Find *your* shower. Punch in code on receipt.
Take shower. Leave towels in shower. Return to cashier. Return receipt.
Get five bucks back.

IF you're polite and friendly and all the things that 'cage' drivers
usually aren't, the cashier may find a 'coupon' that is unused by a
trucker that purchased over $150 of fuel. If so, the shower will be
free. If your luck doesn't swing that way, you'll get charged the going
rate. I think that it was six bucks, but I don't really remember. We
traveled from Union, Oregon to Diamond, Ohio last month and showered
every other day (on the road for 10 days).  I paid for showers exactly
once. I firmly believe that it's all attitude. The cashier *is* doing
you a favor. Let her know that you know and appreciate that.

FWIW, Flying J is the best stealth camping I've found. Park on the
outskirts of the restaurant parking lot. Along with all the small parcel
carriers (look for the Ford Van with a satellite dish hanging out the
passenger side window.). Coffee in the AM. They're like Mickey Ds.
Clean. Well maintained. And all laid out about the same. In four
thousand miles traveling, I'd drive fifty miles off the route for a
Flying J.  GOOD truck stops. Davenport, IA was the best. Watched a great
thunderstorm from their parking lot. Great folks there. The most unusual
was Cokeville, WY.  Town of about 500 pop on a secondary route. Full
size stop that was brand new.  Blew me away.

Can't say enough good things about the chain.

Jim

Stan Harrison wrote:

> I've only done six weeks vacation in my van, but could do it indefinitely.
> But I haven't figured out how to get to use truck stop showers. Any
> suggestions?
> Stan
> 87 Syncro
>
> .
>