Best overnight strategies.

[edaa53]

I check google maps at my upcoming destination and look for hotels w/ big lots. Just pull in - lock it up - take a room. Easy leave in AM. You'll be surprised how many hotels off major interstate exits have tons of parking. Once I locate one I call to check if OK. Drive safe. Regards. Ed

[tmelsonjr]

Originally Posted by norrirn

Harvest Hosts does have some drawbacks, I think. To be fair, the few times we've stayed we, actually I, spent far more than the cost of an RV park; like the $200 case of wine in Arkansas, and a $75 dinner at a brew pub in Nebraska. Then there was the winery in Nebraska that accepted our request with the proviso that they would have to park us out of the way because of a wedding being held there that evening but, they would move us to a more appropriate site after the wedding reception was over. Just before the wedding guests began to arrive, we visited the tasting room and bought several bottles of wine and retreated to our secluded parking spot in the woods by the pond. By about 9PM, the band was still playing and the guests were still singing and dancing, and their parking lot was still full, so we just packed up and drove into town and spent the rest of the night at WalMart.

Other than that, Harvest Hosts is a fun experience.

[fuelish]

To the OP, the more you do the less you will be worried. Lisa and I have never stayed at a Walmart campground but I've spent many a night on city streets and not always the best side of town and never had a problem. I like Cracker Bs. I'm not the biggest fan of the food but have found that supper is better than breakfast.

I think I saw that you have a membership to Harvest Host. Lisa and I have had several nice experiences that we cherish. I suggest you peruse their lists and find an adventure. Yes they are off the direct line but that is where most adventure lies.

When we stay in a Cracker B or other nontraditional places it is not because it is cheaper. I don't understand that concept when it comes to rvs. The rvs cost so much to purchase and operate, I don't see the value of a cheap place that doesn't enhance my life.

I stay in parking lots occasionally when in a hurry to reach a destination because it is less of a hassle. Campground checkins are often slow and as a transient have a high possibility to be relegated to crappiest spots in the park which doesn't translate into a quality experience.

Head out go and enjoy, the greatness you will find on the road.

Mike