Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2023 21:30:59 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Road trip suggestions wanted
In-Reply-To: <BL0PR05MB49160CC21040648ADB2EBAC4A0F69@BL0PR05MB4916.namprd05.prod.outlook.com>
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Hi Mark,
Great to read your post. This sounds like a fun adventure. It reminds me of my journey last year to drive a 84 Westfalia back to VT from Florida.
Also, once a Vanagon List member and vanagon care taker you are wanted on this list no matter what your vanagon status is!
I wish I was on your path but up in VT will not serve your travel plans.
One tip Dennis once shared with me was consider a Flying J membership when traveling a lot. Place to park to sleep, shower, and eat. But, I’ve not been to one.
Just tonight a friend recommended Cracker Barrel down south as a place to sleep and grab breakfast when making a trip. I’ve Done the Walmart thing and it works but isn’t fun.
Great travels and keep us posted on your trip and your camper.
Eric Caron
85 and 84 Westfalia
> On Jan 1, 2023, at 12:05 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> What a wonderful way to begin a new year. Looks to be a really great adventure. Tennessee is a wonderful state to begin traveling in. Consider also West Virginia. Yes parts are almost heaven. As for not using the Syncro for many of use while the vanagon has made us part of this community you will see that at many get togethers different vehicles are becoming common. Sometimes in addition to the mechanical limitations and age many find that other vehicles are needed. I myself have driven through 3 motorhomes and now the NY to Florida trips are being done via a GMC Crew Cab. As almost all my vacation time is now to the house there I just do not do much other travel or camping.
>
> Great luck with your travels and enjoy!
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Mark Tuovinen
> Sent: Sunday, January 1, 2023 2:03 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Road trip suggestions wanted
>
> Hi All,
>
> I have not posted in quite a while but find myself in need of route, camping, sightseeing, etc, suggestions, and am also game to meet up with people along the way if it can be arranged. First, in the interests of full disclosure I confess that I will NOT be driving my Westy Syncro which is buried under 4ft of snow in the backyard. I will be driving a Japanese market Toyota Hiace Camper, 4wd, 5spd, and diesel engine. No I have not gone over to the dark side, not yet anyway. This is probably just a passing fling but only time will tell. As for my trip that I am requesting your input on other than the starting point the route is somewhat open ended at this time. I will be flying into Nashville, TN sometime in January and then getting a ride to Cookeville where the van is. I may remain in the area for a day if necessary to pick up supplies and see any attractions there. From there I will head to Chattanooga to visit a friend for a day or so. It is from this point that I am looking for your ideas and input as I have never been to Tennessee nor the states I will pass through on my way to either Denver, Arizona, California, Oregon, or Washington. The final stop depends upon my finding a place to store this van long term. Your input for places to camp(the more rural the better), see, visit, hikes, etc, along the way is what I am looking for. I am also interested in off highway, backcountry routes that I could take rather than spend all of my time on the interstate highways. I hope to do some hiking on this trip and may pick up a used bicycle to take along as I have a race in February I need to train for. Currently I am considering a route from Chattanooga via either Memphis, or Huntsville then Memphis, then Little Rock, Oklahoma City, Amarillo, to Albuquerque. From there it will depend upon where I store the van, either north to Denver where my son is at Denver University, or farther west to ????? As I said before I am also game to meet up with anyone along the way for a drink, meal, or if you happen to be traveling the same way and want to convoy for a bit. So, what have you got, thoughts, questions, ideas?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mark in AK
> `87 Westy Syncro
> `96 Toyota Hiace 4wd Camper
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