I WAS A CITIFIED GUY when I first saw Quartzsite, Arizona during a coast-to-coast trip. I had needed to fill my tank and drain my bladder. “What a dump!” I thought in my best Bette Davis voice. It didn’t help that it was July and a hundred-bazillion degrees.
Since becoming a van dweller, I’ve been in Quartzsite and other small towns like it many times. Heck, I’ve spent weeks there at a time. My perspective has changed. Because I spend so much time away from civilization, any wide spot in the road with gas and groceries is a beautiful oasis. If it has several gas stations, a couple of grocery stores, some chain stores, a few fast food joints, a laundromat, a mechanic or two, a bank, a post office, a medical clinic, and a library it might as well be a major metropolitan area.
Cities have become resource centers for me rather than places to live. I measure them by what I can get there before moving on. I judge them for their utility. Aesthetics and livability don’t matter much anymore. Any “dump” where I can get a dozen eggs, toilet paper and a quart of oil is Heaven City as far as I’m concerned.
Before discovering van dwelling, I’d been researching places I might like to live out my retirement years. All the stuff on my checklist kept me from finding the perfect town. I mean, if you’re going to plant yourself somewhere—possibly your last somewhere—you want all your criteria satisfied, right? Then I realized I didn’t need to anchor myself. I could go from place to place, enjoying what they had to offer. Sometimes it might be only a tank of gas and a restroom. Ah, civilization.
And, really, I need to applaud the folks who’ve kept these little places going. It’s not easy. The system favors big boxes in big cities with big customer bases. These are the villages Walmart won’t touch. Or they’re formerly thriving towns that were descimated when Walmart set up shop in the next county. Hurray for the shopkeepers of Smalltown, America!
I love small towns. The people are more personable, the food at the diner is real, and a family owns the local grocery.
I love to support them.
I’ll pay a few dollars more to be a part of their success.
In Minnesota, nearly the entire state is small towns now. Most everything is found in the “Twin Cities” on the south eastern border. The Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I love driving north through the Iron Range or the North Shore of Lake Superior. You’ll find privately owned coffee shops making espresso, diners, bakeries, and church thrift stores. Gems. You’ll also likely find a town who strongly supports their high school football team and the whole town shows up for a Friday
night game.
Small towns can be relics from the past. Happily pay the prices they need to charge and be grateful these mom and pop shops exist.
The oasis’ you speak of count too. The “one stoplight- blink and you’ll miss it” places. Us road tramps can keep them afloat!
*Oases
I love small towns! I am sitting in my minivan while a local mechanic is replacing my egr valve. You don’t get service like that in a major city, or even the minor cities where i lived in stix n brix.
My original plan was to buy cheap land in a nearby small town and go on disability. It turns out i’m not disabled, i don’t like the gossip in small towns, and i enjoy the company of other nomads better.
So i’m learning how to mind my own beeswax, help out the local small business owners instead of heading straight to Walmart, educate myself about local treasures as well as local anti-camping ordinances and not overstay my welcomes.
Someday I’ll make it to Quartzsite. But San Francisco and Los Angeles are in my way and there’s plenty to see on the way to better driving and boondocking skills.
Thanks again, Al, this is above average writing and i hope you are adequately compensated.
I have 19.7 acres of land for sale in Pahrump, NV with a street address for your drivers license. Call Tracy Winkelman T Century 21. With 20% down I will carry a note for 5.25 % interest for 10 years. Perfect of camping on. Good Luck make me an offer…..
I’m from Malta, IL. Not much in 1967 when we moved there, even less now. But the Hickey family built Hickey’s Corner Store on Rt 38 (DeKalb has one too) so you can pee, get some groceries & gas up.
I’ve probably at least passed that store, if not stopped there. Lots of little towns/areas along 38 and 64. I like cruising west down route 30 as well. Give me two lanes and small towns over the interstate any day.
In Nevada Pahrump is my home. Small but it has it all. I also park in Savanna, IL next to the Mississippi river for $1.00 a day. Free showers, library, fast food and more. Love both these places. Quartzite was like camping on the moon, did not care for it.
John, I’ve seen you comment on dollar a day parking before. Can you expound? Was it at a marina?
#1 Hello Doug, Lisa at The Station Route 84 Diner in Thompson, IL by the Mississippi will let you park in the back for $1.00 a day. Drive to Savanna for free showers and toilet at the Marina city park. Also visit the library free WI-FI and very nice way to relax in the afternoon. Now #2 Pahrump, NV Mail messages and more on Leslie St.. Lynda will let you park out back for #1.00 a day. Join the Treasure RV resort for $35.00 a month for showers, WI-FI and a jug of water when needed.
A marina in Savanna, Illinois is a city park on the Mississippi river where boats are launched and stored.
We camp in Savannah at Palisades State Park once a month, on a year around basis. Can I ask where are you able to park for $ 1.00 a day? Thanks in advance for your help.
I grew up in Savanna my Grandma lived at 320 S. 3rd St. Loved it.
Thompson Illinois at the Station Route 84 Diner. $1.00 a day parking but do not set up a camp. Lisa is the contact person. Great food, ice, beer. snacks as well as gas. Just remember you are not camping just parking. I stayed a month for $30.00 a good nights sleep and safe.
Great Name, I was in Massachusetts grew Saw the President sailing by at Hyannisport, If your ever in Sonoma ,Ca. Look me up, Pahrump is on my Bucket List, Courtesy of Wonderhussey!
Nice article. Love small towns. Loathe big cities.
I love small college towns like Charlottesville VA, Athens GA, Eugene OR.
Eugene is huge, not Seattle or Portland but still much, much larger than say, La Grande, OR. (La Grande is the home of Eastern Oregon Uni).
Uh oh. Everyone wants to know where you can park in Illinois for $1 a day. Me too.
Your secret spot is out.
I don’t mind if you need keep it secret.
OK #1 Thompson IL The Station Rt 84 diner Lisa will let you park in the rear for $1.00 a day. Savanna has free showers and toilet at the marina city park The library is lovely with free WI-Fi. Remember this is not a camp site park and lay low. eat at a city park etc. Savanna is a fun place with lots to see and do. #2 Pahrump, NV Mail Messages and More Lynda will let you park in the rear for $1.00 a day. NOT A CAMP site just park. NV Treasure RV Resort is just down the road for $35.00 a month I joined the health club for showers, water, toilet and WI-FI. These are my favorite go to places to live cheap and have fun. I had a rebuilt Toyota Prius from Cars are us. Steve a great Guy that stands by his work. Both these places are very safe and hassle free. Good Luck.
Relying on small towns with minimal shopping selection is a lot easier to take with access to Amazon,WM online,et al.
True!
One more $1.00 tip and then I’ll leave ya’all alone. Taco Bell in Pahrump has some really good eats for cheap Cheesy Rice burrito $1.00 (420cal) * Spicy Potato soft taco $1.00 (240cal) * Cheesy roll up $1.00 (180cal) * Cinnamon Twist $1.00 (170cal) * Nacho Fries $1.49 (330cal). I bring my own water bottle and try to be very polite to the staff. All the sauces are set out and free I use them to “fire up” the taste.