Wally World

Considering RVs are not the most economical way to travel down the highway (3-10 mpg) and with gas prices in the $3 per gallon range, the popularity of overnighting for free in Walmart parking lots can more than make up for any lack of scenic cache`. At the Walmart Super Center in Post Falls on any given summer night the north end of the parking lot is filled with RVs of all sizes. Travelers often set their lawn chairs out on the blacktop as the sun sets. Floridians Bonnie and Jerry are on the road nine months out of the year in their older motor home. They tow a jeep with a canoe on top to take advantage of back roads and rivers all over the country. They also overnight in Walmarts regularly. An hour after arriving in Post Falls, Jerry joked that it's free but it cost him $200 the last time they stayed at Walmart, and listed the things they bought in the store before heading out. With over 3,500 Walmarts and Sam's Clubs across the country, most of which allow RV parking lot overnighting, it's a win/win for the store and the RVers. After 23 years and a million miles across the USA, Bonnie and Jerry agree that the friendliest state is Utah, especially the SE part of the state. But having traveled from South to North in Idaho they also agree that our forests and lakes and rivers are the cleanest and most well-kept of any state. And our Walmarts are pretty good, too.