It’s sounds like something involving pirates.
Swashbuckling.
Skirvy dog.
Boom about.
Walk the plank.
Boondocking.
It rolls off the tongue with mystery and adventure for sure.
Boondocking is camping without hookups or a real campsite but saying “camping at Wal-Mart” just chases the Johnny Depp right out of it, doesn’t it?
The first time we boondocked was in Pratt, Kansas last September. We’d heard about it but in our vast experience (nearly two weeks on the road by that time) we had not actually done it ourselves. However, that week we’d dealt with two blownout tires in less than 12 hours and we were two days behind schedule to get to New England for those leaves I was so obsessed with seeing on my birthday. We were exhausted and knew we needed to sleep and fast. Wal-Mart, Sam’s, Cabella’s and Cracker Barrel allow travelers to park their RVs overnight in their wide, empty parking lots. In Pratt that means our options were Wal-Mart and also Wal-Mart so we settled in for the night under the giant lamps, our neighbors snoozing truck drivers and one other lone RV a bit away from us. While I was admittedly cautious and felt exposed that first time, within an hour, I was over it and unconscious.
The ins and outs are simple. We have no water, limited electricity but thank God we do have propane. We carry gallon-size water jugs with us and refill them so they are always splashy full and ready for use. We also always, always have regular drinking water bottles with us because psychologically I can’t use the same jug of water to fill my toilet and rinse off my toothbrush. Can’t. Do. It. It also doesn’t matter what order the events occur so don’t bother texting with that idea. If I know that jug’s water is going to be used…elsewhere after I’ve used it to moisten my toothbrush, I freak out. Danny signed up for my weirdness so don’t go feeling sorry for him. I’ve made the girls just like me in a special act of love so he rolls with it and we have a lot of water pouring options for the good of the family.
The RV battery provides a little bit of electricity but only some of the lights work and we certainly don’t have use of the microwave and we can’t charge our phones or anything handy like that. We park. Get the kids to bed. Go to bed ourselves. Propane fuels the heater and is backup for our fridge so our food doesn’t spoil (that’s how it stays cold when we drive down the road, as well). In the morning, because camping brings out a man’s hunting instincts, Danny goes inside Wal-Mart to buy us donuts for breakfast. Then we leave.
Boondocking is like pregnancy or adoption. As soon as we began to use boondocking as a means of accommodation, we saw boondockers everywhere! Suddenly every time we cruised passed a large, empty parking lot in the evenings, we spotted other sojourners making camp. We felt a kinship with them, an accord (Oh! That’s piraty, too!).
It’s a strange experience for me. Naturally, you’re assuming I’m terrified the entire night, aware of each sound and shadow. That’s classic Lisa for sure. However, you’re totally wrong. I can’t explain it at all but there’s something super cozy about sleeping in a parking lot with one’s family. It’s very Ingalls and you know how I feel about them. We aren’t distracted by electronics. Not going to be fussing over blog posts or recording music or staying up late to vacuum under the table. Nope. We read. We whisper in the dark (of course in a house like ours, adults do a lot of whispering regardless of RV location because privacy is extremely valuable and rare) and we sleep soundly. Yes, light shines in our windows all night long. I’m used to it. Many semis don’t shut down for the night so their low rumble lulls us to sleep. We rarely even see our fellow boondockers but just knowing they are there is enough. In the small towns, Wal-Mart still closes and employees go home but our slumber party rocks on and in the morning, when life comes back to the store, we’re still there, safe. I’m not going to deny that it’s a bit weird and I don’t want to do it every night. After all, pirating is not for everyone and certainly not a lifestyle I’m keen on pursuing but now and then, a walk (or sleep) on the wild side is good for everyone. Give it a try, matey.