Not just truck stops.  Also Wall Mart.  Unless otherwise posted, you may
camp at Wall Mart in an unused section of the parking lot.  Just use
discretion (no lounge chairs around a campfire).

I was told this a few years ago, but never had the guts to try it until my
Van broke down.  I was able to get it to a Wall Mart across the street from
a repair shop (which was closed)  By 10:00 PM there were 4 other campers in
the same parking lot!  I went to one of the campers and asked if this is
allowed.  They said it sure was and they were seeing the country by staying
at Wall Marts across the US.  They even had an atlas that had all of the
Wall Mart's across the US marked!

Does anyone know if this is official policy from Wall Mart Inc. or just
tolerated?  Someone told me it was the policy when Sam Walton was alive.
But I have not been able to confirm.

Paul Borghese

-----Original Message-----
From: Malcolm Stebbins <Malcolm.Stebbins@MSVU.CA>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, March 30, 1999 2:36 PM
Subject: Truckstops : Complete Guide, 5,000 Truck Stops in the U.S. &
Canada"

I have seen a book called: Truckstops : "A Complete Guide to over
5,000 Truck Stops in the U.S. & Canada" (ISBN 1880477130 )  I
have looked at it in the stores but I did NOT see any discussion
about the etiquette at these places.  I am planning a long trip this
summer (nova scotia to arizona) and during the parts of the trip
where there is little for us to see or do, we plan on driving long
hours and plan to 'crash' at truck stops for a few hours at night.  I
understand that many truck stops provide showers and some
welcome RVs (stated in the book).  Has anyone stayed in these
and ESPECIALLY what is the etiquette for women at these truck
stops.  I'm being sexist here, but I assume that 95ish% of truckers
are male, but many may travel with female co-drives and/or
wives/partners.

Are there separate shower provisions for men & women??
Who does one talk to (the gas jockey?)
How much does an overnight w/ showers cost??

Thanks:    Malcolm S