I like washing a car... well, let's say I used to like washing my own car. Not so much anymore. I, too, have a monthly subscription with unlimited washes, and they have shaded parking so you can dry it off. I bring my own clean microfiber towels, and of course my bottle of Armor All and an applicator because I do like shiny tires.
One point I don't know if anyone has made in the thread is something my car detailer (who sees my car at least twice a year) has drilled into me as a RULE for when I wash my car at home. NEVER use any sort of power washer on the body, most especially on vertical surfaces--the doors and the tailgate--when you first start and the car is dirty. I decided to follow his advice as he's been restoring cars since he was a teenager and is in his late 40s or early 50s now.
He explained that paint degradation happens in a lot of small ways not immediately noticeable to the naked eye. Hose sprayers that are overly powerful can drive minute dirt particles into the clearcoat surface. When I seemed skeptical the first time he told me that, his example was this: many of those car wash wands have a soap dispenser. Would I fill it up with muddy water and spray it really hard at my car? Well, no, I wouldn't. So I begin with a light spray to remove loose particles, then get busy with the bucket and sponge.
I do have friends who gently tease me about washing and polishing BEFORE I start on a road trip. They insist, ,"It's only going to get dirty on the way." True. But they don't share my totally unscientific theory that my car drives better and goes faster when it's clean. It's a happy car.
