Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 23:19:12 -0600
Reply-To: John Rodgers <inua@SCOTT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Rodgers <inua@SCOTT.NET>
Subject: Re: Road weary
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The whole of the Summer of '96 was spent camping in my "85 GL in Alaska.
I had a portable stove, portable potty, 5 gal sheet-rock mud bucket for
water, two or three blankets, and miscellaneous stuff. Had strategic
showering and clothes washing locations one of which was a water
fall...damn cold... but it sufficed. There was only me in the
van...traveling, but it was adequate.
A grand time was had.
John Rodgers
"88 GL Driver
Doran Nugent wrote:
> Daisy, I lived out of my 1978 campervan for 18 months.
> It was my home and base of operations while I trapsed
> around doing various things aimlessly as a good
> twenty-something should.
>
> It was pleasant over all and here are a few things
> that made it so;
>
> Variety--Much of the time was spent in the Utah and
> other western states where public (free unrestricted
> camping) land is vast, plentiful and beautiful. This
> allowed me to camp, or live or whatever you want to
> call it, in breathtakingly gorgeous places without
> another soul around for free (federal income tax
> notwithstanding). I only scratched the surface of the
> literally thousands of places to stay and see and
> commune with nature or whatever.
>
> Access to facilities--I worked in one town for several
> months where I got a membership to a health club. I
> would shower, swim, wash my clothes etc. While on the
> road, I was able to find motels that would sell
> showers or YMCAs that would give you a day pass for a
> few dollars.
>
> Appropriate physical and mental traits-- I have a
> relatively small body, I'm 5'5" and trim, this helps.
> If I were a very tall or wide person, I may well have
> exploded as you suggest! The van was an aftermarket
> conversion which had the advantage of more headroom
> than the Westfalia. I was able to stand fully upright
> inside the van which makes it more comfortable for
> cooking on rainy days and psychologically less
> cramped. By mental traits I mean, obviously not
> claustrophobic but also inventive in use of space and
> equipment. And conservative (I mean like aware of
> using resources efficiently, not like Pat Buchanan).
>
> Breaks--I was not living in the van day in and day
> out. For example, I spent 3 months with "Outward
> Bound" where I was away from the van entirely. I would
> spend a week here and there with friends and
> relatives. Although I was actually more comfortable
> sleeping in the van than in the various guest rooms.
> In a way it was the most comfortable place I ever
> slept. I had, within arms reach while lying in bed,
> food, water, clothes, entertainment, and a beautiful
> view out the window.
>
> Eventually I became afraid I was becoming something I
> didn't want to be, so I went back to college yada,
> yada, yada. I'm more than happy to elaborate for you
> and give you specific details based on your interests.
>
> Doran.
>
> --- D Welch <jtdjtd@TIAC.NET> wrote:
> > How long can you live in a camper before you blow up
> > ?
> > My plan is to carefully acquire the right one, fix
> > it up, and then take
> > off for a US tour, mooching from friend to relative
> > etc.
> >
> > What's the longest trip ? I've been tent camping for
> > years, sometimes as
> > long as a month...
> >
> > Lets hear it
> > Daisy
> >
>
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