Waldorfing

Did you know that anyone can park an RV and stay overnight in any Walmart parking lot, anytime? Not that you’re dying to run right out to do this. At least I wasn’t. But it’s become such a staple in our Airstream life, that we’ve given it a name: “Waldorfing.” As in, “We Waldorfed our way across the country!” Sounds a little more elegant than just staying in a Walmart parking lot, right? And Waldorfing is a win/win for both you and the business whose parking lot you are using, as we have definitely patronized the Walmarts, Cracker Barrels, and other stores whose parking lots we’re using–because they’re right there!

Basically, there are four different ways to stay in a trailer. Some are permanently parked, and have electric, water, and sewer access full-time. Our trailer was predominantly like this for the first couple years while Rob was building her out and we were using her as a weekend vacation home. Then there’s camping at a campground, where you are mobile and pay by the night, and by size of your camper and/or the amount of utility access you want.

Many Airstreamers love to do what’s called “Boondocking,” where you can spend several days to a week or so completely unhooked out in the wild. People carry water in their water tank and use the built-in 12-volt electric system, supplemented with propane, for basic utilities. And then there’s Waldorfing, which is like Boondocking only in much less scenic locations. And your stay is typically just overnight, so you can get back on the road and continue your journey. Our one trip in the trailer prior to this year’s adventure was spent this way, parking at Walmarts along I-90 from Chicago to Connecticut and back for a family party in 2022.

But we’ve learned more recently that there are lots of ways to Waldorf! You can stay at little makeshift overnight campgrounds, both commercial like the ones that are part of Love’s gas stations, or public, like those we found at rest stops along I-90 in Ohio. You can sometimes stay at county parks, fairgrounds, National Forests, or BLM lands. Along with Walmart, there are many other establishments who will gladly loan you their parking lots, no questions asked. Cracker Barrel restaurants, Bass Pro Shops, Cabella’s, tractor supply stores, and small airports. Make sure to stay off the runway! But it’s always polite to ask permission, as we did the other night when Rob checked in with a Harley dealership in Minnesota and learned that they would allow it only because he asked first. One notable exception to the rule of thumb that it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission. You don’t want the cops knocking on your door at 3am!

On this trip, we’ve been getting into a helpful, free app called iExit, which is a handy little search engine of all kinds of amenities available at each exit on the highway you’re traveling. You can search for food, lodging, gas, campgrounds, “RV-Friendly” amenities, parks, and more! The app will let you search ahead so you will know some of what’s going to be available up ahead and can make some decisions on where you want to stop. You can create an account and sign in, but it’s not necessary, the app will work just fine without one. We found our campground tonight, nestled along the banks of the Missouri River, through the app. We’ve also discovered that Waldorfing is less fun on nights when the temperature goes below about 50-degrees, as we’re traveling with a 17-year-old cat who needs a little more heat than we can provide without being plugged into shore power. One of the trade-offs from ripping out our 50-year-old propane lines for good! So we just try to be judicious about which nights we can Boondock or Waldorf, and which nights we definitely want to plug in at a campground.

But whether you’re staying in a trailer or not, we definitely recommend experimenting with the iExit app, or other similar services, for help finding food, gas, and accommodations the next time you’re on the road. Or just watch a few YouTube videos and you’ll soon be an expert! Comment below if you’ve found other great places to stay on the road–we can always use a few new tips!