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Dusty1
Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2004
Posts: 2239
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 Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2025 8:14 am Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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| ducmic wrote: |
I think, I have to fly on sight for the NP´s.
To find a place to sleep normally should be no problem with a Camper van....I hope.
It is small and there is a Bambi effect. That is my experience after 12 years of travelling with the Splitty and the Bay. Frinds of mine with Sprinters can not say this. I hope it will be the same in the US.
I don´t know how the system of public land and BLM (what is this) work for camping 
Michael |
"Public" land generally isn't open to the public in the U.S.. There are layers of authorities who will wake you up and make you move on if you don't know your way around.
Wal- Mart welcomes campers in their parking lots.
We also have a network of private truck stops and public rest areas. Truckers by law can drive ten hours before they "time out".
It's not the most scenic camping but rest areas feature toilets while truck stops feature eateries and showers as well.
You're not as likely to be eaten by locals or abducted by bears when you camp at rest areas and truck stops.
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Dusty1
Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2004
Posts: 2239
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2025 9:43 am Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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Oh, yeah... buy yourself an EasyPass. Used to be we had toll booths. Now we don't. A network of robots takes care of tolling which requires you to subscribe to a transponder. While we like to avoid tolls as much as possible we like to avoid pissing off robots.
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3673
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2025 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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If you wind up along the coast in Massachusetts, I live close to the Rhode Island / Mass state line with good parking/camping @ my place.
We can go canoeing or kayaking on the salt water rivers nearby.
I’m about an hour dead south of Boston.
And 1/2 hour from start of Cape Cod if you are considering going there.
I’ll suggest Acadia National Park in Maine as it’s a great place to see. And the Maine coast is plenty nice.
The LL Bean store in Freeport, Maine is a great place to get some gear if you are missing anything.
Note camping @ Walmart was mentioned but not all stores allow camping.
See https://www.walmartlocator.com/walmart-map/
One thing to keep in mind is since Covid, many states do not accept drive ups, meaning you need to make a reservation ahead of time.
Some places (states) you can do this up to 3pm the day of arrival, others require more than a day in advance. Often, there is a 2-night minimum which you might just have to pay the price and move on after a day.
In spite of these rules, some of the parks will let you in if you show up-but if you can get their number and call ahead of time it “might” be better.
I’d play the European tourist thing up when necessary.
New River Gorge was mentioned. Fantastic place for white water rafting. I’ve been twice & recommend it. Great state parks and camping spots are there too.
Some cool trails and there is a mining museum and short mining tour worth doing if you are there.
Smoky mountains are also nice, Skykine Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway, as well.
Happy trails!
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
Complete SA Grill Set-up for sale!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2748907
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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NJ John
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2007
Posts: 3018
Location: HdG, MD & NJ
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2025 2:23 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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RT95 should be considered to make time where needed. RT1 will have many traffic lights, both roads are subject to traffic.
Havre de Grace is a historic town. The British burned it in the War of 1812 and we have a light house. Oh yeah, there’s a dam near by with lots of bald eagles.
_________________
1973 standard, yellow, lowered, 3” narrowed front, 1600 blo-thru turbo w/single dell 15.4@86, so far
11.41 et buggy. Long gone
Let’s go O’s! Let’s go O’s!
https://www.youtube.com/@AirSpooledGarage |
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ducmic
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2013
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:29 am Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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Any interesting VW meetings in sept/okt/nov?
Or is there an american internet site to find meetings?
Michael |
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ducmic
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2013
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2025 11:31 am Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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| Dusty1 wrote: |
Oh, yeah... buy yourself an EasyPass. Used to be we had toll booths. Now we don't. A network of robots takes care of tolling which requires you to subscribe to a transponder. While we like to avoid tolls as much as possible we like to avoid pissing off robots.
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EASY PASS is on the list and a must  |
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ducmic
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2013
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:05 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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| vanagonjr wrote: |
If you wind up along the coast in Massachusetts, I live close to the Rhode Island / Mass state line with good parking/camping @ my place.
We can go canoeing or kayaking on the salt water rivers nearby.
I’m about an hour dead south of Boston.
And 1/2 hour from start of Cape Cod if you are considering going there.
I’ll suggest Acadia National Park in Maine as it’s a great place to see. And the Maine coast is plenty nice.
The LL Bean store in Freeport, Maine is a great place to get some gear if you are missing anything.
Note camping @ Walmart was mentioned but not all stores allow camping.
See https://www.walmartlocator.com/walmart-map/
One thing to keep in mind is since Covid, many states do not accept drive ups, meaning you need to make a reservation ahead of time.
Some places (states) you can do this up to 3pm the day of arrival, others require more than a day in advance. Often, there is a 2-night minimum which you might just have to pay the price and move on after a day.
In spite of these rules, some of the parks will let you in if you show up-but if you can get their number and call ahead of time it “might” be better.
I’d play the European tourist thing up when necessary.
New River Gorge was mentioned. Fantastic place for white water rafting. I’ve been twice & recommend it. Great state parks and camping spots are there too.
Some cool trails and there is a mining museum and short mining tour worth doing if you are there.
Smoky mountains are also nice, Skykine Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway, as well.
Happy trails! |
Hi Vanagonjr,
thanks a lot for your advices.
Massachusetts is on our list bcause we will go south from Halifax to NY.....and because my wife loves the Ocean we will follow the coast line most of the time.
I look forward to see you in Rhode Island.
Today I asked for a shipping date and hope to start in Halifax in the first week of Sept.
Kind regards
Michael |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3673
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2025 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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| ducmic wrote: |
Hi Vanagonjr,
thanks a lot for your advices.
Massachusetts is on our list bcause we will go south from Halifax to NY.....and because my wife loves the Ocean we will follow the coast line most of the time.
I look forward to see you in Rhode Island.
Today I asked for a shipping date and hope to start in Halifax in the first week of Sept.
Kind regards
Michael |
Sent you a message with contact info.
September is my favorite month here!
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
Complete SA Grill Set-up for sale!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2748907
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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ducmic
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2013
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 6:47 am Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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Hello guys,
After two weeks cruising around in Canada we reached the US yesterday. We crossed the Bridge between Campobello Island and Lubec, ME
Best wished
MIC |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3673
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 24376
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 10:53 am Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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Im home for two weeks on Long Island and can offer driveway.
Its hard to get here, except the Bridgeport/Port Jeff ferry.
No one visits, its too crowded.
_________________
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Schuylersister
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2010
Posts: 233
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 12:46 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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When you find yourselves near Del Norte or Humboldt counties on the coast in WAY northern California send me a PM. I might have storage for your bus.
Are you going to fly home and the return in January? I have a lot of information about Baja. Been there many times alone in my van. It's great!
Jeanne
Last edited by Schuylersister on Tue Sep 16, 2025 8:28 am; edited 1 time in total |
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ducmic
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2013
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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| Abscate wrote: |
Im home for two weeks on Long Island and can offer driveway.
Its hard to get here, except the Bridgeport/Port Jeff ferry.
No one visits, its too crowded. |
Long Island is on our list, because we bought the Bus in Brookhaven. It was located there for its life time (first owner car). So I will check the Ferry and may be checking out your driveway.
Tomorrow we will visit Acadia NP and the heading the coast down south.
I will keep you Updates
Mic and Bernadette |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 24376
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 6:13 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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| Abscate wrote: |
Wilkommen, Ducmic!
I’m in Port Jefferson area of Long Island so let me know your timing. Every first month Sunday we gather up vintage cars for Cars and Coffee and we have only lonely sage Green Bay Bus right now.
Pm me for communication here |
So first Sunday October will be coming soon!
Resent my home, work, WhatsApp
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Xevin 
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 8984
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| Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2025 9:55 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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| Abscate wrote: |
| Abscate wrote: |
Wilkommen, Ducmic!
I’m in Port Jefferson area of Long Island so let me know your timing. Every first month Sunday we gather up vintage cars for Cars and Coffee and we have only lonely sage Green Bay Bus right now.
Pm me for communication here |
So first Sunday October will be coming soon!
Resent my home, work, WhatsApp |
Abscate and family are good people. Hope you all meet up.
_________________
Keep on Busin'
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
I respect Xevin and he's a turd  |
| SGKent wrote: |
My God! Xevin and I 100% agree  |
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canvas guy
Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2001
Posts: 128
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 6:11 am Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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| You are welcome to camp in our yard in Bucksport, Maine which is directly on your route along the coast! |
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ducmic
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2013
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 1:44 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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| canvas guy wrote: |
| You are welcome to camp in our yard in Bucksport, Maine which is directly on your route along the coast! |
Oh no….Thanks a lot for your offer. I just read it……to late , because now we have booked a campgroud half an hour south of Ellisworth 
MIC |
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ducmic
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2013
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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Today Arcadia
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ducmic
Samba Member
Joined: May 28, 2013
Posts: 40
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| Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2025 5:32 pm Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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Yesterday beside HW1
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3673
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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| Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2025 8:56 am Post subject: Re: Traveling the USA with our ´70 Baywindow Bus |
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We were able to host “Dumic” last Saturday, subjecting them to grandkids and dogs (one nicknamed Rude Boy); friends in Maine hosted them a few nights prior.
Love the interior that Michael built.
Allows cooking from outside and due to the e-brake under the dash, the fridge fits between the front seats.
Wish them well in their travels.
_________________
John - 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia "Weekender"
Flint reversed 1.8T W/Passat 5-Speed
Complete SA Grill Set-up for sale!
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2748907
FAQ thread: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=525798 |
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