Date: Sun, 5 Jan 2003 21:47:20 -0500
Reply-To: Tracey <boatshop@INTERCOM.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tracey <boatshop@INTERCOM.NET>
Subject: 85 Westy Shakedown Key West trip report
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi All,
We returned a week early from our trip to Key West, with which we took our
newly aquired 85 Westy. Fortunately the early return was not due to VW
issues.
The van ran great , but revealed a few weak spots that will require
attention before another trip. Our fuel tank has issues so that we could
only put 10 gallons or so in at a time. Also our fuel guage began working
intermittently...annoying! Once we were in KW we had a few times when the
temp light came on and the guage needle went straight to the top, but the
engine was not yet warm.Seems to have resolved itself, but will need some
further investigation. Our brakes squealed incessantly in the tropical
weather, but only intermittently back up north...new front brakes and rotors
too!
A second battery with an inverter to run a heater would have been helpful,
as the temps were in the 30's at night all the way down near Ft.
Lauderdale.We just drove all night in shifts to get to the warm
weather!
We averaged about 20 MPG and 70 MPH (in very high winds).
If anyone is planning on visiting the keys during the Christmas and NY
holidays, please be advised that to camp at any campground you will need
reservations...make 'em early (like now). Boondocking in town will get you a
3 AM wake-up-and-move call from the police. KMart parking lot is possible,
but far from ideal.
Lazy Lakes campground is a little gem we discovered 20 miles up...old-style
lots with some tent sites, use of their kyaks, nice pool, decent showers and
laundry. Very homey and cheap..$35 a nite for primitive site with H2O. Very
nice and long pet walk path.No other parks we looked at would take our
German Shepherd because of his breed..most didn't even take dogs at all.
Some State park campgrounds close gates at 6 pm and you can't get out or
in...which is a shame because they have the best campsites.
In KW old town there were tons of VW busses and campers of all vintages.
Perfect parking right at the public beaches with pop-top up catching ocean
breezes.
We never did run into listee Ric and his family from Mass, but we were
looking for him.
There were quite a few VW drivers we waved to en route...sorry we forgot to
throw money, as Ric suggested.
I have posted some pics on my website of the trip, some pics of our VW at
camp and a beautiful restored bus belonging to a KW local.
Click here: (you will have to sign in with an email addy to view it...not a
SPAM site in my experience)
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4290874199
Happy Trails!
Tracey & Oscar Estevez
Visit us at:
http://maritimeworkshop.tripod.com
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