Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 09:52:44 -0400
Reply-To: Rob Gunter <rgunter@SEC-TN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Rob Gunter <rgunter@SEC-TN.COM>
Subject: Living in a van
In-Reply-To: <200205230011745.SM01268@gerry.vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
I didn't live in a Westy, but I spent 18 months traveling in my Ford Van and
can give some good tips.
Cleaning dishes: Boil water and put into a deep dish plastic tray with a
small drop of soap. Wash the dishes, dry and put away without rinsing.
Pots and Pans: Have 2 pots (1 for boiling water), and a fry pan. 1 or 2
plates extra. Good bowls. 2 sets of silver No more.
If you have other than a propane fridge: give it up.
Paying for camping: Don't do that!! When transiting stay at Safeway and
Wal-Mart National Park. Master the art of Guerilla camping (free camping on
the sly). National Forests are good too.
Saving money: Stop moving
Email: Libraries are free (usually).
Laptops: Only if you REALLY need them. They will drain your batteries
fast.
Solar Cell: Good idea for a 5-10W.
Propane: Gods Gas.
Awning: EXCELLENT
Folding lawn chair: Needed
Outdoor lights: Use candles, less bugs. Sleep with the sun.
Showers: Natl parks, community pools.
Bicycles: Good if you will be visiting cities.
Valuables: Don't take any with you or you will live in fear of losing
(stolen) them.
Fishing gear: Light tackle.
Cash: Travelers checks in emergency stash, ATM otherwise.
Dry goods: Lots of in bulk. Oat meal is amazingly good.
Dry milk: Mix with a small amount of water to make a thin paste then add
the rest.
Flashlight: get an LED one.
What to do with your time: Allow lots of free time to think.
Mixing with locals: Do.
Washing clothes: Keep a 5 gal bucket with a tight lid. Put clothes in with
soap, drive, rinse, hang up.
Type of clothes: Fast drying, nice looking, Salvation Army good.
Anything else: Make sure it has more than one use. If you don't use it in
2 weeks, pitch it.
Feather Comforter: Never leave home without it!!
Good luck!
Rob G.
http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/PassportPl/gunter01/
for a few months while travelling
I'd be interested in hearing how folks fare on extended traveling trips
in these vehicles.
things like :
Cooking and cleaning dishes with these tiny kitchens ?
do you use supplemental equipment ?
portable toilets ?
Showers ? do you use a portable setup or stop someplace that has
showers ?
Cold... do you use some kind of portable heat or just dress warmly ?
Sitting through storms with the top up... ? the canvas doesnt look
water proof.. ? is it ?
Tents, how many folks use tents along the side for this stuff ?
any thing related to these issues would be appreciated.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 00:07:45 -0400
From: "Russell, William" <william.russell@UW-INC.COM>
Subject: Re: living in a westy or weekender for a few months while
travelling
I can tell you that I've sat through a viscous storm on the north shore
of Lake Superior and was nice and dry. The wind was blowing so hard
that I could barely face into it when I walked to the edge of the water.
The vehicle felt more stable then I used to feel in my father's 1971
Lionel Crank-Up Camper during a storm.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Clay Moore
Sent: May 23, 2002 00:01
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: living in a westy or weekender for a few months while
travelling
I'd be interested in hearing how folks fare on extended traveling trips
in these vehicles.
things like :
Cooking and cleaning dishes with these tiny kitchens ?
do you use supplemental equipment ?
portable toilets ?
Showers ? do you use a portable setup or stop someplace that has
showers ?
Cold... do you use some kind of portable heat or just dress warmly ?
Sitting through storms with the top up... ? the canvas doesnt look
water proof.. ? is it ?
Tents, how many folks use tents along the side for this stuff ?
any thing related to these issues would be appreciated.
------------------------------
End of vanagon Digest - 22 May 2002 (#2002-629)
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