R O O S T I N G   I N   P I G E O N   F O R G E ,   T N

Monday, November 8, 2004

Oh crap! Why is there a police parked next to me? Soon enough, I get that dreaded knock on the van's side doors. I'm informed by a police officer that I cannot overnight in this particular Walmart parking lot. Little does he know that had I stayed, this would be my "third" night, yes, my third night of van camping here. Wow! Maybe I should rob a bank here in Pigeon Forge. Heck, they wouldn't bother coming after me until my third heist.

When evening arrives I decide to hit the road. I'm not sure where I'll overnight tonight, but I do know I cannot do it here. The police had told me of a campground just outside of town, but, that's just stupid, why pay for what you can get for free with a little persistence and a good sense of adventure.

Before leaving the lot I spy this sign indicating overnighting is prohibited. In all honesty, when I arrived for the first time Sunday evening I noticed the sign but purposely avoided reading it. Ignorance is bliss as they say. Had I read it, perhaps I wouldn't have stayed. Not reading it boiled down to two overnight stays without hassles. I must say, my van is definitely stealth-like. It took the police three days to get smart to it.

I make my way West in search of new overnight digs. I drive for about an hour or so, hunting the horizon for Walmart quarry. Walmarts are usually pretty easy to spot at night. Not only are they really large, their parking lots are always very well lit. So, like a moth drawn to a porch light, I find myself attracted to any and all large light sources.

While driving Interstate 40 past Rockwell, TN, I spy a Walmart through a small break in the trees. Had I blinked, I might have missed it. Lady luck has certainly smiled down upon me just now. Remembering that ignorance is bliss, after pulling into the Walmart parking lot I purposely don't look for signs of any shape or size. Weary, I quickly find cover as best as I can then turn in for the evening.