I spent a night in camper van in a Cracker Barrel parking lot, and the experience revealed a surprising side of the van life movement

Frank OlitoFeb 3, 2021, 04:23 IST

The camper van parked in an RV spot.Frank Olito/ Insider

During a weekend road trip in a camper van, I stayed overnight in a Cracker Barrel parking lot.
Staying in store parking lots overnight is a popular option for vanlifers, especially in the winter.
The experience introduced me to a side of van life that social media rarely shows.

When I rented a camper van for a weekend, I expected a road trip filled with stunning landscapes and unforgettable views, like those shared with the van life hashtag on social media. Instead, I spent the night in a Cracker Barrel parking lot.

The strange adventure started when I rented a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van in January from Outdoorsy and enlisted the help of my friend to drive to Philadelphia and spend the weekend in the van with me. Together, we endured a cold evening in the parking lot of the restaurant chain.

Here's how we ended up in a Cracker Barrel parking lot, what the experience was like, and how it shaped my view of van life.

When first planning my road trip, it took a surprising amount of time to find the right spot to park overnight.

Parking overnight at a Walmart is common. Jeff Greenberg / Getty

Before arriving at the Cracker Barrel, I was nervous about sleeping in a parking lot.

On our way to Philadelphia. Frank Olito/ Insider

When we finally arrived at the restaurant in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, I was surprised to find three designated parking spaces for RVs.

The camper van parked in an RV spot. Frank Olito/ Insider

After choosing one of the RV parking spaces, I started looking for dinner.

Eating my Wendy's dinner. Frank Olito/Insider

After dinner, I converted the seating area into a bed, which was more complicated than I expected.

Struggling to make the bed. Frank Olito/ Insider

Once the bed was finally made, my friend and I settled into an episode of "The Bachelor."

Watching "The Bachelor." Frank Olito/ Insider

When the show ended, we slowly realized a horrifying truth: The van's heat was not working.

The thermostat kept giving an error message. Frank Olito/ Insider

As I tried to fall asleep, I became acutely aware that I was in a Cracker Barrel parking lot.

The van in the parking lot. Frank Olito/ Insider

I woke up several times throughout the night because I was so cold and because of sounds outside the van.

We only had a few blankets. Frank Olito/ Insider

After a terrible night's sleep, I turned to the only remedy I could find: a great breakfast from Cracker Barrel.

My Cracker Barrel breakfast. Frank Olito/ Insider

That morning, I gave the owner of the van a call to fix the heater and outlets.

Underneath the bed. Frank Olito/ Insider

Later that morning, we left the Cracker Barrel parking lot and headed toward a campground.

Cleaning off the morning condensation before leaving. Frank Olito/ Insider

I learned van life is nothing like I expected, and the experience taught me that the lifestyle isn't for me.

The camper van. Frank Olito/ Insider

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