skycop
Pensacola, FL
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Joined: 09/13/2006
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We generally don't stay in Wal-Mart parking lots. However, every now and then the convenience of a quick overnight in their parking lot is great. One of the things that bothers me when we stay there is the general feeling of insecurity that we never get when in a campground. So my question is, have you ever had a security related problem when staying in a non-campground environment?
John & Belva
2007 Allegro Bay 35TSB FRED
2005 Honda CRV
2 Siberian Huskys
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othertonka
Stockton, CA
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Joined: 11/15/2003
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Ihave not stayed in a Wal mart and probably will never do it. I have the same feeling of insecurity that you have. I probably would not rest or sleep, so whats to gain. And one other thing if you have to run your gen set for 8 hours to stay cool so you can try to sleep, who pays for the fuel that the gen set burns? 1/2gallon per hour would be 4 gallons at $4.50 a gallon would be $18.00. So there goes the FREE site. So to answer your question, I have never had a security related problem simply because I have not stayed at Wal Mart.
Othertonka
2004 Southwind 32VS
2002 CRV Toad
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getinoutofmissouri
missouri
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we have done it a few times. ther are usally 2 or 3 others there at the same time. doesnt feel much different the a rest area. a word of advice if you do it dont stay out by the raod people will honk all night.
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getinoutofmissouri
missouri
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we have done it a few times. ther are usally 2 or 3 others there at the same time. doesnt feel much different the a rest area. a word of advice if you do it dont stay out by the raod people will honk all night.
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OnaQuest
Raleigh, NC
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Joined: 01/15/2006
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Some of us are not paranoid. Some of us are not insecure. Some of us do not always need 72 degree air (a/c) to sleep. Some of us take life as it comes. Some of us do not try to tell others what they should, or shouldn't, do. Some of us stay the night in CG's when we feel it's the best for us. Some of us stay in Wally World parking lots when it's convenient and necessary. I hope you all do the same......
Dyslexics of the world... UNTIE Visit www.Dyslexics.moc
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ozman
Ma.
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Joined: 06/16/2001
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I think if you do it a couple times,those feelings subside.Walmart for me is a quick overnighter 6-7 hours.Its a time thing,I can get more hours on the road if I stay in the parking lot.2 weeks ago we pulled into a well lit walmart at 1 am,shopped a little and left by 8am.
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fatmanobx
kill devil hills, n.c.
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Joined: 12/27/2004
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I like to stop when I want and I like to get up and go when I want. Staying on a lot gives me that freedom. What I mean by that is I don't like the gilt feelings I get when I get up in the middle of the night and try to leave a park without waking everyone up. Just funny that way I guess. I have tried to find the RV park posted on a road sign more than once to be disappointed in what I found if I find it at all. I have always had a destination when I have traveled before, it may be different when we hit the road for months at a time...
2003 Four Winds Infinity 37'
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getinoutofmissouri
missouri
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i dont feel bad at all for using wal marts parking lot on the way to our desination. Heck as much $$ as we spend there they should have pull thru spots with cable for free.LOL
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Admiral
Lodi, Ohio
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Joined: 06/08/2003
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I stay at Walmart regularly when traveling just because we're being watched and taped by up to 10 security cameras on top of the building, the place is well lit and I always park under a light near an exit road so I don't get blocked in. The Walmarts with human security patrol may give you a sense of security but if you look at the neighborhoods and clientel...they need live security. Don't we all know that WM doesn't spend an unneccecery penny if they don't have to.
For the lack of cameras and lighting, I generally avoid staying at rest areas and truck stops.
2004 Damon Daybreak 2960F V-10
05 Honda Element LX
Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.
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Serena
US
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That feeling will go away quickly and become no different that that slightly off-kilter feeling you get when you park in any new spot for the first time. Lighting is slightly different, air currents change a little, ambient sounds change - no big deal. Makes you aware, but not necessarily alarmed.
Only thing I have encountered was at a Home Depot - some guys who worked there were clearly up to no good. They hung in the parking lot for a long time talking, until a car came from behind the store very, very slowly with its headlights off and several people inside. One guy said, "There they are." They hopped in his car and followed. (I assume they were acting as lookouts for the other guys, who had come from the loading area in back.) It had nothing whatsoever to do with me, and I doubt anyone even realized I was there. The two were half a parking lot away, and apparently didn't realize how their voices carried, bouncing off all those hard surfaces. Whatever they were up didn't welcome witnesses, and they clearly weren't going to hang around and get caught at whatever it was they were doing. Ho hum. So I went to sleep. No problems.
Serena
I Know Where I Been, Cuz I Was There When I Went.
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