Date:         Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:38:59 -0700
Reply-To:     Ellen <elleninoregon@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ellen <elleninoregon@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: First camping trip!
Comments: To: PB <pbrattan@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Congratulations, Patti!  Once you get bit by the camping bug, you will wonder how you lived before you took frequent camping trips.  I went 20 years without camping!  Our vans make it so easy.   Take notes.  Each trip, list what worked and what didn't work and adjust.  This will take a few trips.  Try to keep it simple, so it's not a chore.  Too many times we overdo it and wonder why it's not fun.  It's so easy to get into that gadget trap, and before you know it, you can't even sleep in your van unless you put half of it outside. Make lists!  Lists of menus, lists of what to bring for food, lists of equipment you need depending on the season (obviously I need thermal underwear in the winter and a swimsuit in the summer).  I like to pre-plan my menus in advance, so I only bring what is absolutely necessary.  But still have some staples packed in the van in case I don't feel like fixing it, or for one of those last-minute impromtu trips I'm so fond of.   Pack for contingencies, those things that could happen, but probably won't.  It was forecast to be 83 degrees on the coast this weekend, but I still brought heavy jeans and a warm jacket and am thankful I did (it didn't get that warm and was rather cool).  I keep a single burner propane stove and a spare bottle of propane in case the main tank runs out in the middle of a trip (that has happened to me before). Above all, enjoy yourself, take lots of pictures, and write a trip report when you get back. Ellen & Lola, '85 Vanagon ASI    Don't wait for a light to appear at the end of the tunnel; stride down there.....and light the bloody thing yourself.' ~Dara Henderson> Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 17:28:04 -0700> From: pbrattan@GMAIL.COM> Subject: First camping trip!> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > My husband, my 2 small dogs (3 lbs and 11 lbs,) and I are about to go on our> very first camping trip in the Westy, which I've had for a little over a> year. The van was recently checked out by a mechanic, and is working just> fine. We're going to Lake Lopez in California. I haven't been camping at> for around 15 years, so I hope I don't forget anything. We're planning to> stay for 3 nights.> > For safety, I've decided to get the propane tank changed out by GoWesty,> which is fairly close to where we're going.> > Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for us?> Thanks.> Patti> 90 Westy Automatic
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