Date: Thu, 23 May 2002 14:08:25 -0500
Reply-To: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject: Re: Living in a van
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
We're all still waiting for the finished pictures of the "Box From Hell"
oops! I mean between the seats emergency relief apparatus.
Stan
On Thu, 23 May 2002 10:51:06 -0700 developtrust <developtrust@COX.NET>
writes:
> Stan,
> Once again you are a wealth of practical knowledge. Thanks for the
> tips to
> us all.
> William
>
>
> > I never use dishes ........ I use paper or recycled plastic dished
> from
> > Staufers, Marie Callendar or Healthy Choice frozen meals that I've
> eaten
> > at home.
> > A portable toilet would be a handy thing to have but requires
> storage
> > space that is at a premium. I use a bicycle to get to and from
> campground
> > bathrooms and in case of an emergency I've used my trusty five
> gallon
> > plastic bucket with a plastic kitchen bag (2 times in seven
> years).
> > I collect a few mustard, mayonnaise, Horsey Sauce, Ketchup,
> single
> > jellies, honey, and butter cups and those candy flavored coffee
> enhances
> > as I progress through my normal eat and run existence and use them
> on
> > camping trips. I use olive oil and wine vinegar as salad dressings
> (won't
> > go bad like the expensive stuff).
> > I never drink the water from campgrounds or from my holding tank;
> why
> > take the risk?
> > I use a charcoal fire starter by Bic to light my stove, if you get
> the
> > quartz type it will light your LP even if its dead because the
> spark is
> > at the end of it.
> > I keep a miniature holder for about twelve regular kitchen matches
> and
> > use kelly forceps to hold my paper matches when lighting my
> Coleman
> > (gasoline/lantern fuel) not LP canisters.
> > I clean my windows every day that I camp and unburden the interior
> of the
> > Westy completely so it looks like it is on a showroom floor.
> You'll be
> > surprised how much you grow to hate that between the seats junk
> box with
> > the cup holders you built. I use a 4 man tent to store all my
> floating
> > junk boxes etc.
> > I use a 12 inch florescent under the cabinet light on 120v that I
> can
> > move around anywhere when I have the 120v. It runs cool and can be
> tucked
> > into lots of locations next to your canvass.
> > I use a 5" Portable Color 12v/Battery/120v TV/VCR combination that
> has a
> > removable rabbit ear setup for better reception.
> > I take books that are worth reading twice, you make your choices
> here.
> > I have a hang on 120v 5000btu Air Conditioner for use if I know
> I'm going
> > to have 120v and the evening temps are going to justify carrying
> it.
> > http://williamwareagency.com/forsale/stanvan/ac_unit.htm
> > If you're going to be fishing regularly take some baking soda to
> wash
> > your hands and sprinkle on your dirty clothes bag. Use a net type
> clothes
> > bag and dry garments before you put them in.
> > Cleanliness is next to Godliness when it comes to attracting
> insects.
> > If your campsite has flies or insects when you get there, change
> > locations ....... you are what they've been waiting for. The
> Coleman
> > lanterns burning 40 or 50 feet away at night are a big help in
> drawing
> > them away from your space.
> > Don't feed the deer, farrow cats, opossums, raccoons, birds or
> anything
> > else, they become dependants very quickly.
> > Never take laxatives, use brand cereal (Cracklin Oats is like
> candy and
> > doesn't require milk) use fresh fruits or dried prunes or canned
> pinto
> > beans to stay on schedule. Try to drink at least two quarts of
> water a
> > day and lay off the beer and soft drinks with high sugar content.
> > If you're really roughing it; never do you number 2s near your
> campsite
> > ........ use your trusty folding shovel and dig a hole to be
> covered. If
> > you can see where you just did it when you get back to your Westy
> ......
> > that was too close.
> > Never sleep in your clothes. You can get good long use out of them
> if you
> > hang then every night to freshen.
> > I'm not talking through my tush here, I've spent many weeks living
> in my
> > Westy clearing trees and brush from my 87 acre farm (Ha! Nothing
> there
> > but one tiny stripper oil well.)
> > Avoid potential hazards of machetes, hatchets and knives .......
> if you
> > need a walking stick; take it with you.
> > If you're going to be hiking off into wilderness take a couple of
> Road
> > Flare, Boat Horn on CO2 can, a water treatment kit, rain suit, you
> know
> > the routine.
> >
> > Stan
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Thu, 23 May 2002 10:07:34 -0400 lvb <lvb@ALLTEL.NET> writes:
> > > Interesting article. Only thing I would add would be about not
> > > rinsing dishes.
> > > Might be ok with one drop of soap, but most would use more, and
> not
> > > rinsing is
> > > a major cause of dysentery, not very comfortable in a Westy with
> no
> > > toilet.
> > > Thanks. Larry
> > >
> > > Rob Gunter wrote:
> > >
> > > > 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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