98 Degrees and No Shower: The Parking Lot Wash

I was hauling produce out of Yuma, Arizona. The receiver was backed up, and they wouldn't let drivers use the facility restrooms. It was 98 degrees. I had been sweating for hours tarping the load, and now I was trapped in the staging area.

I felt gritty and miserable. Hygiene isn't just about smelling good; it’s about feeling human. Truck stop showers are expensive ($15 a pop) and I couldn't move the truck anyway.

I grabbed my Portable Camping Shower. It’s a simple submersible pump you drop into a bucket of water. I hung a tarp between my truck and trailer for privacy, filled a bucket from my water jug, and took a shower right there on the asphalt.

Washing off the day's grime changed my entire mood. I went from angry to relaxed. If you run hard in remote areas or deal with slow docks, do not rely on Pilot or Flying J. Carry your own dignity in a bucket.