Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2010 20:52:15 -0800
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Stealth Vanagon Camping
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Neil,
Met you and the Wet Westies gang at Catherine Creek, Oregon, in middle September. You of course probably don't remember me...I'm just a "sometimes" person on this list. But what I'm hearing of your traveling escapades (especially including the COSTS for late arrival at campgrounds which are too much $$ and you don't get to enjoy them anyway) is the need for improved STEALTH CAMPING VANAGON setups. Yes....this is what sets us apart from a car/tent or a $200K Monaco motorhome or a 5th wheel trailerhome. WE can "camp" wherever we want (practically).
But there are needs....hot shower, quiet, pottie, cooking, slumber....all of which can be done successfully in "civilization" in a Vanagon. Example: recently accomplished all of these in my Vanagon
on the streets of Chinatown in San Francisco. Now WHO can accomplish all of this (including a Redbox DVD movie, return anywhere the next day), downtown San Francisco for $0? Answer: a Vanagon-equipped person with a little determination and creativity. And....no poptop....stealth un-friendly.
Yes, my preference is wilderness camping....self-sustained...but the same skill set can be applied to when the campgrounds are closed or too expensive. Would make a great subject for this list....STEALTH VANAGON CAMPING....but we've got to share our secrets "delicately"....right? Hmmmm....
Anyway, glad you had a great trip... just wanting to explore options with you and the others when that perfect campground is "FULL", closed, un-find-able, or too far, or whatever. And Big Cities can be fun to "camp" in...great stuff to see and eat and explore and....
Rich
San Diego
--- On Tue, 11/9/10, neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
From: neil n <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Trip Report. Pics.
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 7:51 PM
Thanks. Yes. Fort Flagler. Yah
I keep notes, but apparently not that
accurately. The notes I stand a chance of accurately keeping are of
the Bb variety. ;)
Yah that bush bra, or bro, was strange. That whole event was strange.
Sure glad I didn't do harm to any of the engine accessories with my
errant clutch technique. What a dufus!
I still get Parks, Forest Service mixed up in my head, but was
surprised to see USFS sites higher priced than the OR SP's. Speaking
of CG's on 101.
Neil.
On Tue, Nov 9, 2010 at 7:39 PM, Jake de Villiers
<crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com> wrote:
> Quite an adventure Neil - adult movies, brassieres, bashed mufflers and
> laundromats!
>
> You were thinking of Fort Flagler, I think. We used to go camping with the
> kids over that away, not to mention the
Fiddle festival etc. We've been to
> Honeyman too and Cape Lookout and visited Fort Camby but not stayed there.
>
> On Tue, Nov 9, 2010 at 7:13 PM, neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all.
>>
>> The pics:
>>
>> http://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/OctoberNovember2010Trip#
>>
>> Stuff I still find, and found to be useful
>>
>> 2x4 chunks for leveling
>> rear table height mod + my mod to that
>> hanging hooks for jackets
>> chess set. (Antique Radio Shack version, but it still wins ;)
>> zip lock bags
>> sink mod
>> thermarest pillows
>> rechargeable folding LED light and my DIY Dot-It plug in
lights.
>> my ToughBook (though it's slow as sin)
>> Eton crank weather radio
>>
>>
>> Trip went well. Almost turned tail at Cape Blanco due to mostly yicky
>> weather, but an enthusiastic Librarian at Langois convinced me to push
>> on South. (she being the proud owner/operator of a Rialta) I did so.
>> The weather cleared and that part of trip was even better. From the
>> start, enjoyed 101 on the Olympic Peninsula, and of course, the OR
>> coast. 2800 KM in total no real problems save for the unfortunate
>> meeting of a boulder and my tailpipe. I made it to Jedidiah SP in CA,
>> but at $35 for non hookup (and each site housing its own bear proof
>> food container .... lots of bears it seems), I turned around as I was
>> at the half way point time wise. One screw up was not bringing enough
>> US cash. (!) Glad I
decided to leave a few old school travelers
>> cheques in the bus while cleaning out before the trip. They came in
>> handy due to bank machine issues and were useful for CG fee cash.
>>
>> The weather went from sun to rain, to more rain and wind, then sun
>> (like 70's F), fog, rain/wind etc.
>>
>> "Funny Weather....."
>>
>> Fresh sourdough, lemon/garlic saute oil, cheese, chips, bacon,
>> pancakes, late night bison burgers, beer and wine were consumed. No
>> one was harmed in the events (though a real dumb dog wanted a highway
>> duel near Neilton..... on a corner no less) though my chair and
>> "welcome" mat were lost in the process. Some weather was short-worthy,
>> but mostly pants on. Never really cold though. Some great memories,
>> awesome fires, jaunts and interesting people. Learned to enjoy "the
>>
journey" and not the destination.
>>
>> Glad I brought the bailing wire.
>>
>> Do not use the laundry mat in Lincoln City. ;)
>>
>>
>> Neil.
>>
>> --
>> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>>
>> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>>
>>
>> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>
>
>
> --
> Jake
>
> 1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
> 1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'
>
> Crescent Beach, BC
>
> www.thebassspa.com
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27
>
>
--
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
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