Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:31:56 -0230
Reply-To: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject: Re: Cross Country Travel Tips Wanted
In-Reply-To: <EB482D14-4C70-4F6F-A24A-AD1422038570@eoni.com>
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Some thoughts on Jim's suggestions;
>
> Flying J parking lots. Always felt safe and there's coffee and a
> shower waiting in the morning. Breakfast too if you're lazy.
I'll second that, about most large chain truck stops. They are very busy
and safe. No charm, and not quiet, but okay places. It's better to park in
front, with the cars, than in the back with the trucks. The trucks idle
their engines all night and you might get asphyxiated.
> We spent
> a couple nights in highway rest areas. Highway rest areas are NOT a
> safe place to sleep. See the website dedicated to late Type2
> listmember Kristin Laurite <http://www.kristinlaurite.org/>
I'm not sure I agree with that sweeping generalization. Kristin Laurite got
murdered in a rest stop, but that doesn't mean all rest stops are
dangerous. In many it's illegal to camp. But in others it is not, I've
been in rest stops that filled with trucks and vans at night. If it's busy,
it's likely safe. Camp near the lights, near the bathrooms - not off in a
remote corner. As with all stealth camping, don't pop the top of the van,
lock the doors, close the curtains, and screen off the back of the van
behind the front seats. Putting on the windshield curtain is like
advertising that you're sleeping there. You want to look like you're just
there for fifteen minutes having a break - but also not be visible.
>
> Best Places to Shower: i.e.
>> - KOA Camp Grounds
>> - State Campgrounds
>> - Truck Stops
>> etc.
>>
>
If you're a member of a YMCA or a gym with national branches, they are good
too. Also municipal pools, if you like to swim.
>
> See above. We stayed one night in a state campground. Flying J.
> Going camping and traveling are two quite different things.
> Listmember's driveways are good too.
>
> Best Places to Wash Up while on the road: i.e.
>> You sleep in the van the night before in a parking lot, have to brush
>> your teeth, wash your face and shave.
>> - Walmart Bathroom
>> - Target Bathroom
>> - Rest Stop Bathroom
>> - Small Hotel
>> - In the van with a wash basin
>> etc..
>>
>
> Westy wash basin. Baby wipes.
>
> Safety when traveling:
>> - parking and sleeping in the van issues
>> - tinting window for safety
>> - keeping the curtains up when you are not around the van, good idea
>> or bad?
>> - covering the stuff you have in the van with blankets, good idea or
>> bad?
>> - best places to park for safety when sleeping either in a parking
>> lot, side road, etc..
>> - items to keep in the van for first aid
>> - items to keep in the van for protection, i.e. bat
>>
>
> We typically did not pop the top. We did fully curtain the Westy when
> sleeping. For safety, we loved the truck stops. Lisa says that she
> wished that she had a white noise generator though.
I also have stealth camped in cities a good bit. You need to pick a
reasonably nice but not fancy neighborhood, busy, and of course overnight
parking has to be legal. Near universities can be good - someplace where an
out of state van won't be conspicuous. Of course no popping the top, no
lights in the van at night behind the curtains. Neighborhoods with a mix of
retail, apartments, and single-family homes are good. Scope out the
neighborhood during the day, park there once you are ready to go to sleep.
In the morning leave before doing much else. If you want to cook breakfast,
definitely go elsewhere first.
Municipal parks are usually not a good place - they empty at night and
usually overnight parking is illegal. But on the street next to the park
can be fine. Shopping center parking lots are only okay if the stores are
open 24 hours - and then do check for signs about parking limits. For this
kind of stealth camping you need a porta-potty of whatever sort works for
you, unless you've got a bladder like a camel!
First aid: we carry an Industrial First Aid kit. About a 10x14x2
> metal box with everything except drugs. Looked it up. Johnson &
> Johnson 8161 Replace plastic band-aids with cloth.
>
> We had "protection items." 1.) Misfit. An 80# German Shepherd mix.
> 2.) other items that would (if history is any guide) provoke a hissy
> fit on the list. I'll choose to not evoke Ben and David's wrath for
> starting a flame-fest.
I have none of those. Common sense, locked van doors, and cellphone to call
police if needed.
>
>
> Temperatures in different areas of the country:
>> - how much did it vary?
>> - were you ever cold?
>> - cold sleeping in the van?
>>
>
> It was the middle of summer. It was hot and dry and hot and muggy. Not
> much change in temperature.
South in winter, north in summer. It depends on your own tolerance for heat
and cold, whether you are cold in the van. How cold do you keep your home
at night? If it's, say, 50 in your bedroom, are you cold under your
blankets? If so, you'll be cold in your van too. I had a 9-volt fan for
when it was too hot in the van - that's more often my problem.
>
> If you slept in the Van Did you bring a mattress pad? i.e.
>> - Memory Foam pad to put in the rear of the van to make it more
>> comfortable?
>>
>
> No.
Whatever you're comfortable with. Sleep in your van for a few nights at
least before taking off. And remember, you're not going to the moon, you
can buy anything you decide you need or want while you're on the road.
>
>
> How many hours a day did you drive?
>>
>
> 10 hrs? Whatever felt right.
MUCH less. But I wasn't in a hurry to get to a destination. How much do
you like to drive? How fast do you want to get anywhere?
>
>
> Did you drive a long distance each day or take a couple days off here
>> and there?
>>
>
> We were traveling to a wedding so were on a schedule. We were
> 'traveling' for two weeks. There were places that we wanted to visit
> that we didn't. We'll catch them next time.
I almost never drove more than 200 or so miles in a day. I wasn't
interested in driving, I was interested in being places. But it's totally
what you enjoy, where you want to stop, what you like to do.
>
>
> What the critical maintenance you did to the Van before the trip?
>> i.e.
>> - Spark plugs
>> - Oil Change
>> - Oil Filter
>> - Change the front disc pads
>> - New Coolant
>> - Tranny fluid change
>> etc..
>>
>
> My Westy is continually maintained. I changed the oil and filters.
> (They were due.)
>
>
> What were the critical upgrades if any before the trip?
>> i.e. headlight upgrade to see better?
>>
>
> None.
Ditto.
>
>
> What kind of issues did you keep a watch on the van while driving?
>> i.e.
>> - coolant
>> - oil
>> - fuel lines
>> - belts
>> - tire pressure
>>
>
> All of the above. It's part of owning and maintaining your vehicle.
Yup.
>
>
> What extra parts or supplies did you bring in case something went
>> wrong with the van? i.e.
>> - Belts
>> - Coolant
>> - Plugs
>> - Oil Filter
>> - Misc Tools
>>
>
> Fuses. A bit of fuel line. A belt or two. A couple quarts of motor
> oil. You have 'coolant' in the Westy water tank. If you need to
> replace an oil filter at the side of the road, you have serious
> problems.
>
> Most important tools to bring?
>>
>
> Your brain. I typically carry enough tools to fix what can easily be
> fixed at the side of the road. Experience (or the lack thereof) will
> determine what's best for you. Some feel that a AAA card, a credit
> card and a cell phone are all the tools they need. Works for them.
> Wouldn't work for me.
Some of us aren't much good as mechanics, hence the dependence on AAA,
credit card, and cellphone!
>
>
> Best places to visit in each area?
>> i.e. Sedona AZ- Go visit the Energy Vortex's
>>
>> Best things to do activity wise in each area?
>> i.e. Go scuba diving or snorkling in Key West FL
>>
>
All depends on what interests you. If you haven't seen the Grand Canyon,
head there now, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. People asked me what
was the most incredible thing I saw in two and a half years on the road, and
trite as it sounds, it was the Grand Canyon. Crater Lake (in Oregon) is
also quite incredible. Lots of people told me to go there, and I couldn't
understand why - just a lake, right? - but it's amazing. A lake like no
other. Yellowstone is amazing too.
Oh, but I'd avoid Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon in summer! Yellowstone
is PACKED. I assume the Grand Canyon is mostly just hot, though I was only
there in cold weather so it was fine.
>
>> Best places to eat in each area?
>>
>
> Yeah, right. I'm answering an email. To answer that would require a
> book. That's what guide books are for. In Oregon, find a copy of
> "Oregon For The Curious." Best food? Well, I'm partial to the fish
> sandwich at Pt. Loma Seafood. Ditto Rubios fish tacos. The lobster in
> Ensenada BC was pretty good too. Mahi-mahi Almondine at the Cotton
> Patch on Midway in San Diego was to die for. Your tastes might be
> different. <smile>
You might have a look at the road food website - down-home restaurants all
over the country. I think it's roadfood.com. Good fun!
>
>
> How long should a journey from East to West take to really see the
>> sites as well?
>> i.e. 1 Month at the minimum?
>>
>
> About month longer that we have. If I had a month, I'd need two. If I
> had a year, I'd *need* thirteen months... You get the idea.
A year. Are you trying to get somewhere and make a few stops en route? Or
trying to see the country?
>
>
> Looking forward to hearing from all of your collective experiences...
>
>
Do what makes you happy. Talk to people on the way, every place you stop.
Coffee shops, campgrounds, bars, restaurants, on the beach, on the hiking
trail, wherever. That's really how you "see" the country!
Joy