Homestead mailing list

[Don Bowen <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

Don Bowen wrote:
> Lynda wrote:
>   
> > There is a whole network out there and folks who do what is called 
> > boondocking.  It is places to stay without cost.  For example, in CA there 
> > is The Slabs and a few dozen other places.  If you have a self-contained 
> > trailer or whatever, then there are WallyWorlds and a couple of gas stations 
> > allow overnight "camping" in their lots.
> >     
> Some Walmarts allow over night parking but more local governments are 
> outlawing the practice.  It has been abused by those who look upon it as 
> free camping for several days.
>
> Flying J allows overnight parking and most have an RV fuel lane and free 
> dump stations.  Flying J has affordable WIFI.  Love's often have dump 
> stations.  Some states have dump stations in the rest areas, Washington 
> has the best.  Arizona has closed all its rest areas under a budget 
> excuse.  Many dump stations are being closed, again because they are 
> being abused
I forgot to add other places.

Cracker barrel allows over night parking and they often have RV spaces.
Some Cabello's have RV spaves and allow overnighters.
Many rest areas do not allow overnight parking so you park in the early 
evening sleep until well after midnight then leave.  Some limit you to 8 
hours so again, sleep and leave before 8 hours.
Other places I have used are behind strip malls, the far end of Home 
Depot and Lowe's parking lots, in front of an RV lot, the edge of a 
trucking company lot.
Don't look out of place and no one will bother you.

A ful timing friend has a utility trailer fixed up inside.  It looked 
like thousands of utility trailers, the windows were covered by vent 
screens on the outside and he had a phony padlock and hasp on the door 
so it appeared as if it were locked from the outside.  In extreme cases 
he would jack up one wheel and take it off making it look like he had 
tire problems.  He would sometimes leave a for sale sign in the window 
of the pickup.  He parked just about anywhere.  He recently bought a 
travel trailer so it remains to be seen how that will work out.

Another friend has a class C motor home and he has developed an eye for 
places.  He parks just anywhere in residential areas.  Currently he is 
in Mexico doing the same thing.  Sometimes he goes up to a farm house 
and asks, so far he has never been refused and is often invited to 
dinner or a party.

--
Don Bowen           KI6DIU
http://www.braingarage.com/Dons/Travels/journal/Journal.html