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Westy Steve
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Joined: February 25, 2006
Posts: 736
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 Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:43 am Post subject: Tell me about your last camping trip |
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Where'd you go? Did you stop off on the way? How long were you there? How was it sleeping in the bus?
...need inspiration to tackle my motor...
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I love my Bay Westy!
'74 Westy
'62 Beetle Ragtop |
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drober23
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2009
Posts: 774
Location: Detroit, MI
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:52 am Post subject: |
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My last camping trip was this fall. We went to Hocking Hills State Park in SE Ohio, fairly mountainous, but nothing serious.
We stayed over 3 nights with my wife, 7 year old, my Jack Russel Terrier, and me. Sleeping in the bus was fine, although it got into the mid-30s at night (in October). We cheated and had an electric heater to help. Would not have needed it if we had packed the right blankets though.
Sleeping in the bus is fine. We punt the kid into the top ('75 Westfalia), and my wife and I (and the dog) sleep on the fold out bed rear seat). I really enjoy being able to park, and then being ready to sleep in less than 5 minutes. I also enjoy being able to drop the top and be ready to leave very quickly as well.
The camping trip before that was 10 days to Michigan's upper peninsula. Just the wife and kid that time, but it was a blast. Drove 8 hours each way, and drove the bus all over including many off road vehicle trails through the forests there.
Get that thing on the road and have some fun!
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DJ
'75 Westfalia, '79 Deluxe, and some others...
(more busses than sense)
In a time of chimpanzees I was a monkey |
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MidWesty79
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2011
Posts: 338
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin, US
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:31 am Post subject: |
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Last camping trip was to Madeline Island in the apostle islands in northern WI (amazing if you've never been.) After breaking down on the way up and getting a AAA tow provided by a fellow Vdubber who happened to be passing by (i didn't have AAA at the time) i fixed the bus the next day and then headed to Tom's Burned Down Cafe (one of the best bars in the country... Look it up!!!) where we crashed in the bus in the parking lot behind Tom's since all the campsites on the island were full.... It was an awesome trip!
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1979 Westfalia, 1973 MGB GT, 1975 BMW 2002, 1996 Mazda Miata |
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Westfabulous
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Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 4083
Location: The tropic of Canada, dodging the giant flying moose of Surrey!
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tristessa
Samba Member
Joined: April 07, 2004
Posts: 2052
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:47 am Post subject: |
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It was Thanksgiving and beyond. Went from Portland, OR to Weaverville, CA (day 1) to spend the holiday with my family and "camped" in the level-ish spot of the driveway with an extension cord run out for the space heater .. more of a portable bedroom actually. Left there and went south to the SF Bay Area with a few more nights of the "portable bedroom" action while visiting my wife's family and some friends.
We stayed at a hotel in Mt. Shasta City on the way home, mostly stopping in that area because I was exhausted from fighting 30-40MPH crosswinds on I-5 all day. Had an indoor heated pool and hot tub, but we didn't pack swimsuits ... |
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69rulz
Samba Member
Joined: June 07, 2009
Posts: 764
Location: On a trip on my couch
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 9:51 am Post subject: |
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Heavenly acres campground, near graves mountain lodge va, stopped in several small towns, climbed hills jeeps would run from, went through mud, big fields, woods. Was a blast, flywheel got loose a bit on the way home, so we towed it haha 
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Id rather die on my feet than live a life on my knees Right turn clyde |
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kevin77westy
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Joined: November 12, 2004
Posts: 677
Location: Ocean Springs, MS
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:00 am Post subject: |
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January 27-30 at Convict Springs on the Suwannee River, a Full Moon Bus Club sanctioned event. 400 mile drive one way for me. Camped three nights. We do it every year and its just down the road from you. Always good folks and good times  . |
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encsdaddy
Samba Member
Joined: September 16, 2007
Posts: 100
Location: Inland Empire, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 10:25 am Post subject: Tell me about your last camping trip |
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Went to Buses By the Bridge 2012.
Took my daughter and our dog Shades. Windy ride out, but really enjoyed our stay. Chilli cookoff, met some great VW people, played our giant Jenga game, my 8-Track tape playing music, and the awesome light show from the stars at night.
Only problem the entire trip was Tiki stalling out on the way home. From the symptoms, it appeared to be a fuel delivery problem. Just as I got Tiki going again, Roadcow pulled over to offer assistance, and as a precaution, he insisted on towing us the rest of the way home. Wouldn't take anything for payment other than gas.
Borrowed the pic of our campsite that was taken by carterzest. It was the perfect spot for camping, right next to the light house. 
Can't wait to go back, and for warmer weather so I can start doing other weekend camping trips with the family.
_________________
77 Westy named Tiki - Daily Driver 80 miles a day!
(2.0L with hydro lifters)
78 Bus (8 seater w/ front bench) - Still trying to get it running! (fuel pump cuts out)
69 Sqauareback - RIP (Rear ended by a Volvo)
72 Bug - RIP (Rusted away!) |
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Kirk 
Samba Member
Joined: December 05, 2003
Posts: 4753
Location: North Texas
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:05 am Post subject: |
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Shop night at my buddies house turned into a two bus campout as we worked on his Volksrod till the wee hours of the morning last weekend.
It was 36 degrees, and when I got up to pee, I forgot to shut the door the entire way, and froze my ass off. The next morning we caravaned to pancakes. I had fun, but I know why they call it a "headache" rack. 
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Oppenhiem
Bear |
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EvilMonkley
Samba Member
Joined: August 06, 2011
Posts: 33
Location: Ireland
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 11:16 am Post subject: Re: Tell me about your last camping trip |
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| encsdaddy wrote: | | , Roadcow pulled over to offer assistance, and as a precaution, he insisted on towing us the rest of the way home. Wouldn't take anything for payment other than gas. |
Ah good on Roadcow he's a great man i bought my 77 Westy of him and he is great to deal with.
On camping trips my last one was last September with my girlfriend kat on our way back from a 6 month trip round europe. Just of the Ferry from Holland stopped in Colchester England at a campsite on Route. First time we set up in the dark.
Love camping in the westy so simple to set up and pack up in the morning. Really cold night as i recall my head was freezin. |
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brookmp
Samba Member
Joined: February 05, 2010
Posts: 250
Location: San Diego, CA
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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Tackle that motor!! Get it done because there is nothing like camping in your Bay Window...nothing. We took our Bus camping for the first time in years (just finished a 2-year restoration) last week for one night at San Elijo State Campground in Cardiff, CA. It was just to get our feet wet and it was great. Sleeping in the Bus is so comfortable and I commented a few times how amazed I am that the 44 year old foam has held up so well.
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1968 Westfalia Campmobile
1974 Standard Beetle
99.9% complete with the restoration of our '68 Bay Window. |
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LeeE
Samba Member
Joined: May 25, 2004
Posts: 321
Location: Orlando
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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I went camping 3 weeks ago in Ocala Forest; all over the place. Literally. It was VERY stormy and windy for a while, white knuckle driving.
Went to Alexander Springs, called ahead and were told yes sites were available, but after 2 1/2 hr drive, oh sorry, campground full. So, we looked at the map and decided to explore.
We stopped to check Lake Dorr but didn't stay, open area RV park. Went next to Clearwater Lake, nice enough camp but almost full. Next to Forest Lake, but discovered that it was lake access only and not a camp.
So, we decided on the way back to Clearwater to keep going on to Buck Lake and check it out. It was a hunt camp, not that nice and the access was sugar-sand with no way to turn around. Then to another camp nearby, I forget the name but it was just a parking lot.
So by then, after driving all over the Forest, needed gas so went over to Astor on the St. Johns river. We considered going east to the coast to Faver-Dykes, but decided to go to Hopkins Prairie instead, but then stopped at Juniper Springs on the way. They told us at Juniper that the rangers had closed Hopkins due to high winds, good thing we hadn't kept going. Juniper only had a few sites left, but we got lucky and ours was very nice. Had a pleasant afternoon and evening as the weather improved, stayed the night, and did the Juniper Springs canoe run the next morning. It was very beautiful, shallow sandy bottom, very twisty, and even had a short run of easy rapids at one point.
It was a fun weekend in the Bus. I'm trying to keep my streak going of camping somewhere at least once a month, except my wife won't do hot weather camping in July and August.
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1978 Westfalia stock 2.0 FI
Welcome to the Okeedokee Swamp |
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jeffsbugs
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2011
Posts: 294
Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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Get that motor done.
I finished my 1700 in mid April last year then we camped all over Vancouver Island. Put 2500 miles on the new engine.
Camping and sleeping in the bus is very comfortable. Fast and easy to setup, lots of room for the two of us.
I have a few maintenance things to do before we venture out this year but I can't wait to go again!
Jeff
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'73 Westfalia, rebuilt 1700, dual OG solex - 3500 miles and counting
'62 Baja |
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Green70
Samba Member
Joined: January 23, 2012
Posts: 112
Location: Out in the Garage
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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I went camping on Feb 3rd of this year. It was mine and Trixie's first trip together as I had bought her 4 weeks before. I got off early on Friday around noon and went to meet a guy about an interior. I bought a complete '73 interior and took it back home and tried to throw it into Trixie so that I could atleast sleep on it that evening. Turns out there were enough differences that I just propped the bed up with the jumpseat and let it be. It was just me in my bus, but I met 3 other guys with their '68 tintop, '71 hightop and a vanagon westy. We camped at a private community that has campgrounds on the TN river. It rained the whole time but I was nice and dry. We woke up to bird shot hitting the trees from some duck hunters. They were shooting right at us and I'm surprised we didn't see any damage to the buses. We left there and went to Huddle House. It was a great trial run and I can't wait to take her back out now that we have the interior figured out.
BUILD THAT MOTOR!!! |
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Desertbusman
Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2005
Posts: 13056
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=484589&highlight=desert+camping
My bus doesn't do winter camping because it's owner is a wimp in the cold. Although I did camp in a show parking lot in Jan. Misserable.
_________________
The best thing that anyone can do for their Bay is get the Volkswagen of America Official Service Manual published by Robert Bentley. Without it the bus is pretty much doomed.
| 73kombi wrote: | | when that red light goes on, you have to make a choice. |
| Amskeptic wrote: | I am not answering that.
Respectfully,
GoBuyABentley |
71 Superbug
71 Westy |
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Westfabulous
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 4083
Location: The tropic of Canada, dodging the giant flying moose of Surrey!
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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| brookmp wrote: | Tackle that motor!! Get it done because there is nothing like camping in your Bay Window...nothing. We took our Bus camping for the first time in years (just finished a 2-year restoration) last week for one night at San Elijo State Campground in Cardiff, CA. It was just to get our feet wet and it was great. Sleeping in the Bus is so comfortable and I commented a few times how amazed I am that the 44 year old foam has held up so well.
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You are to be commended on your restoration. I know it was a long time coming. You gotta love people who love Westies.
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"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." |
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Westfabulous
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 4083
Location: The tropic of Canada, dodging the giant flying moose of Surrey!
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| Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2012 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Desertbusman wrote: | | My bus doesn't do winter camping because it's owner is a wimp in the cold. |
I have winter camped once in my Westy; last year as a matter of fact. It was cold, but truly amazing. I crave the chance to do it again.
Good to have you back DBM; was wondering where you had been......and where Grandpa Pete has been......hmmmm, you aren't one and the same person are you?
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"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." |
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curtis4085
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2011
Posts: 2943
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 7:16 am Post subject: |
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| drober23 wrote: | My last camping trip was this fall. We went to Hocking Hills State Park in SE Ohio, fairly mountainous, but nothing serious.
We stayed over 3 nights with my wife, 7 year old, my Jack Russel Terrier, and me. Sleeping in the bus was fine, although it got into the mid-30s at night (in October). We cheated and had an electric heater to help. Would not have needed it if we had packed the right blankets though.
Sleeping in the bus is fine. We punt the kid into the top ('75 Westfalia), and my wife and I (and the dog) sleep on the fold out bed rear seat). I really enjoy being able to park, and then being ready to sleep in less than 5 minutes. I also enjoy being able to drop the top and be ready to leave very quickly as well.
The camping trip before that was 10 days to Michigan's upper peninsula. Just the wife and kid that time, but it was a blast. Drove 8 hours each way, and drove the bus all over including many off road vehicle trails through the forests there.
Get that thing on the road and have some fun! |
I have yet to go camping in my bus as I'm just finishing
My restoration over the next month so future holds lots of fun.
Had to comment though on your trip to Hocking Hills as that was the very first camping trip my wife of 17 years and I went on. Nice place to camp from way I can remember. The biggest thing that sticks in my head is we were newly weds and loving every moment in the bus. The bus was my first ever and I was quite proud of her. My new wife the first night of camping during a moment of passion she accidentally put here leg threw the OG tent. Oops. What a great trip
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Special Thanks to:
Headflow Masters - Vista, CA
www.headflowmasters.com
71 Pastel White Panel Van current restoration
73 Westfalia (sold)
73 Westfalia (accident)
73 Kombi (Sold)
75 Panel Van
79 Sage Green Westfalia fully restored
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479199&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 |
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curtis4085
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Joined: July 22, 2011
Posts: 2943
Location: Colorado
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dasdachshund
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Joined: March 29, 2010
Posts: 491
Location: Vancouver, WA USA
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| Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2012 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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Had to tell us twice about the wife, eh? 
-dasdachshund |
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