On campgrounds

This trip would not have been possible, or at least, wouldn't have had the same feel if it weren't for the consistent availability of public campsites. The national campground system is quite a marvel when you think about it. You can pull up and rent a spot to stay the night. Many have hot showers. Most have fire pits and firewood. And there's enough of them that you don't have to bend over backwards to plan your daily mileage around them. I feel bad for these German kids when they leave the US for Mexico. Who knows how rough it'll be for them to spend nights on the road. 

The best facilities I've seen were at Humbug Mountain State Park. The showers were free and had spacious shelving and hooks. The water was hot. Everything was spic and span. The trip is not over until I review that place on Yelp.