Date:         Mon, 10 Aug 1998 13:10:31 -0400
Reply-To:     "Sminkey, Scott" <ssminkey@XYPLEX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Sminkey, Scott" <ssminkey@XYPLEX.COM>
Subject:      Re: Is Westy-lust justified? Do you use your appliances? was: chu
              ckboxes
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain

> georgejoann@JUNO.COM writes:
> << This Westy owner doesn't use the stove and sink inside the camper
> unless he
> absolutely has to...too confining, and I'd rather be outside anyway. >>
>
gmbulley asks such things as
>How much/often do you use your "appliances" in the Westy, and (while we are
at
>it), how many bring other grown-ups with you, and use BOTH beds?

and ponders...
>Is my Westy-lust justified, or should I just enjoy my kneeling-in-the-bus,
>packing-ice-in-the-94-quart-cooler, pump-up-the-Coleman-stove existence?


My wife and I have had our '91 Camper since it was new and have been
on many, many camping trips. Our favorite place to camp is Baxter State
Park in Maine which is 50+ miles from the nearest anything including a
source of ice. The refrigerator has allowed us to plan for more perishable
foods instead of the usual pasta and rice type dinners, and keeps our juice
and beer cold. The stove is great, too, since it will simmer, unlike our
back-
packing stove, and has two burners so we can be heating dishwashing
water while cooking.  I don't cook bacon or other strong smelling stuff in
the
camper so that the curtains and upholstery won't absorb odors. We tend to
wash our dishes and ourselves outside where there is more room to make
a mess, but we're very glad for the water tank. Of course, we really
appreciate
all this on a rainy day when we can stay holed up in our little oasis!

And yes, this is the '91 Camper I just advertised for sale, but I am being
honest about how much we used it and how well it worked out. For a number
of reasons, we're becoming more tent campers and I really wanted to buy
a 4wd car for the winter anyway, so it's time to say goodbye to my old
friend...

- Scott Sminkey
  ssminkey@xyplex.com
  91 Camper