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landkholdings
Samba Member
Joined: March 11, 2008
Posts: 250
Location: N. GA
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 Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 11:49 am Post subject: Van Diego -Just Scored a Van 2300 Miles From Home- Rd Trip! |
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First of all, I'll introduce myself. My name is Kevin, and as of yesterday, I became the proud new owner of a really nice 84 Vanagon with a 2.2 Subaru engine! My wife and I flew to San Diego, which is apparently where all the Vanagons are stashed. No kidding, they're everywhere. One bay, no splitties, two or three beetles, and a Vanagon on every corner. Why?
Anyhow, we live north of Atlanta, and are heading east bright and early tomorrow morning. We're going to be really ambitious and try to make the 725 mile drive to El Paso the first day, which will be New Year's Eve, so if anyone has any advice on where to go in El Paso, please chime in.
The second day, we plan to get a little past Houston and camp in the van. If anyone has any suggestions on camp grounds in the Columbus/east of Houston area, please chime in as well.
Nights three and four are to be spent in New Orleans. I'm sure we can occupy ourselves, but neither of us have been, so any local advice is always appreciated. We lucked out with the roll-the-dice express deals thing that Priceline does where they don't tell you where you're staying until after you pay and got some swanky digs in the French Quarter called Hotel Monteleone.
After that, it will be time to go home and go back to work. Thanks in advance for any local advice, encouraging words, warnings, or otherwise. We're no strangers to VW's or the side of the road, and we mailed a tool kit and a shop manual out in advance, so please don't spend much time worrying. Van Diego, as we're calling it, runs as good as it looks. Plenty of pics from the trip to follow.
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Summers420us
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Joined: June 14, 2010
Posts: 759
Location: Amissville, Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 12:04 pm Post subject: |
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NICE! Keep us posted on your adventure!
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1997 EVC
1988 2WD Westfalia with OE 2.1 (R.I.P.) |
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benandmj
Samba Member
Joined: October 29, 2012
Posts: 550
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats!! Can't wait to see it in person!
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85 Westfalia Weekender
91 Syncro Westy |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7922
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: Van Diego -Just Scored a Van 2300 Miles From Home- Rd Tr |
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Congrats! 
| landkholdings wrote: |
| We're going to be really ambitious and try to make the 725 mile drive to El Paso the first day, which will be New Year's Eve, so if anyone has any advice on where to go in El Paso, please chime in. |
No clue, but I can certainly tell you where not to be in Beaumont on New Year's Eve  ... long story.
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1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
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"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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joetiger 
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Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats on the new Vanagon!
The Hotel Monteleone is a really nice place and has a cool old rotating bar in the lobby. It's right in the heart of the Quarter so you have easy access to all of the touristy stuff (Jackson Square, French Market, Cafe Du Monde, Pat O's, Acme Oyster Bar, etc.) I think they also have secured valet parking so you don't have to worry about your sweet new Vanagon getting broken into (good) but you do have to worry about a valet driving your sweet new Vanagon (not as good.) The concierges there are excellent as well and can point you in the right direction depending upon what you're looking to do.
New Orleans drivers are idiots. There, I said it. Please keep that in mind when driving around the city.
Have fun, be safe, and take lots of Vanagon-related pictures then post them here! Travel pictures are especially appreciated this time of year, when many of us are marooned in endless wintertime...
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Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
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Ahwahnee
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Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9808
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: Van Diego -Just Scored a Van 2300 Miles From Home- Rd Tr |
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Congratulations on your purchase and best of luck on the roadtrip.
| landkholdings wrote: |
| ...We're going to be really ambitious and try to make the 725 mile drive to El Paso the first day, which will be New Year's Eve, so if anyone has any advice on where to go in El Paso, please chime in... |
That really is ambitious.
I almost never stay 'in' a city (or even near one) so I cannot advise on where to stay in El Paso. I avoid the main part of the city by taking the incredible Woodrow Bean Transmountain Drive -- Loop 375 on your maps. There is some construction on there but shouldn't slow you down much and is much quicker than going into town.
I have stayed at Balmorhea State Park in TX - but that is another 193 miles east of El Paso. You might keep it in mind if you end up with a shorter first day for some reason.
Having given it some more thought... you might consider stopping in Las Cruces NM (just 45 miles north of El Paso). Lots of motels right off the interstate and you could enjoy a fine evening meal at La Posta in Mesilla (very close to the motel area). You would then be driving through El Paso early on New Year's Day rather than late on New Years Eve. |
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tarandusVDub
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Joined: August 27, 2010
Posts: 1649
Location: Between Here and There
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, really nice score! We have an Ivory '84 with suby and love it. Safe travels and post lots of pics!
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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD. |
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morymob
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Joined: November 09, 2007
Posts: 4683
Location: east-tn
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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| Don't know your driving habits but i would tone it down a bit until some mi's (1st leg) pass. U have more hp's with this eng and definately forget the speed shifting up/dn racer style and spinning tires. Not knowing cond of trans etc, but with intelligent driving they will go 300K+, i know from experience, have a fun trip & dodge the snow if possible, westy looks good. 84's my favorite, owned 3. |
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levi
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Joined: February 11, 2005
Posts: 5522
Location: Las Vegas
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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That shot of the engine bay is..... interesting. 
But, that's a beautiful looking van.
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rc3
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Joined: October 14, 2011
Posts: 54
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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| Steven f. Austin state park near Sealy would be a good place to camp near Houston. Have a great trip |
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dr. no
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Joined: August 06, 2004
Posts: 578
Location: Santa Fe
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 5:09 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting Westy itinerary...
I think most of us avoid staying in or near cities (especially those  ). There are so many much better areas for a Westy on those routes... except maybe in Louisiana.
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http://lungehphoto.com
'83.5 Westy s/p 1.6td JX and 4sp DK transplant--wonderful!
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'89 Isuzu Trooper
PAST VWs:
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supersooner
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Joined: July 27, 2005
Posts: 131
Location: At the ranch - 20 miles east of Oklahoma City
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject: |
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X2 on la posta in Mesilla, NM and Cafe du Monde in N.O. If you are flush with cash and its a Sunday, I recommend the brunch at Commander's Palace be sure to have the dessert souffle. Memorable
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oldhuldy67
Samba Member
Joined: November 25, 2008
Posts: 506
Location: somewhere with a southern exposure
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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| benandmj wrote: |
| Congrats!! Can't wait to see it in person! |
Same here..in Woodstock. safe travels...easy does it on your way home. |
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spacecadet
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2012
Posts: 158
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 7:00 pm Post subject: |
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I'm in Roswell, NM tonight and Phoenix tomorrow maybe we cross paths!
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Daily Drivers Only
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1990 Volvo 740 Turbo(Sold)
1986 Mercedes 300 Coupe (Sold)
1954 Volvo PV544 (Sold)
1990 Dodge D250 Cummins (Totaled)
1990 Vanagon GL 2.1 Automatic (Sold)
1968 Ford F250(Current) |
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CessnaJon
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Joined: August 15, 2008
Posts: 677
Location: Senoia,GA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome, Kevin!
Join us for the monthly Atlanta Vanagon meet, lots of great folks.
I would advise passing New Orleans by.
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1990 Westy Multivan
2015 Passat TDI 6sp
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furrylittleotter
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Joined: May 19, 2008
Posts: 1506
Location: West Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:29 pm Post subject: Re: Van Diego -Just Scored a Van 2300 Miles From Home- Rd Tr |
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| landkholdings wrote: |
| if anyone has any advice on where to go in El Paso, please chime in. |
East, as soon as possible. Do not stop, do not collect $200, keep going.
ElPaso is the crappiest city.
[/quote]"Nights three and four are to be spent in New Orleans. " [/quote]
Now you are talking!
Check out the "Spotted Kat" for REAL jazz and Coop's Place for fantastic food. I would get the jambalaya pasta and fried chicken (with homemade tasso), don't miss the jukebox. Great selections on there...
These are both local favorites so, if you go, please keep that in mind…
Cafe Envie is THE place for breakfast with fresh Croissants, espresso and omelets… and of course everyone has to see Cafe Du Monde, but The Beignets (and service) are actually ten times better at Cafe Beignet,
(don't miss their courtyard, it is hidden)
Take a bicycle tour, it's fun. Make sure you see the garden district, Best souvenirs are at the Hard Rock.
Have Fun and enjoy your new van! Congrats
Neil2 |
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ledogboy
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Joined: September 19, 2005
Posts: 578
Location: Scappoose, OR / Oakland, CA
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| Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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| CessnaJon wrote: |
I would advise passing New Orleans by. |
Sacrilege! (Though I would pass up Bourbon St for sure).
El Paso is one of my less favorite spots, but there is charm almost everywhere if you dig hard enough...
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Now a full camper
1.8t Syncro conversion
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dagriztx
Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2009
Posts: 78
Location: TX
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| Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 6:17 am Post subject: |
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Found mine in San Diego, I loved the drive back. Slow down & enjoy the experience.
I'm in San Antonio if ya need help along the way...Big Easy, oh yeah. |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32625
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 6:59 am Post subject: |
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Nice looking Van!
I love blind confidence in unfamiliar machinery! I'm probably too versed in autos and the potential problems, I probably fret too much and worry about things that are better left unsaid............ What's that noise? did you hear a grinding noise? that tick? WHAT'S THAT TICK???!!! Aargh!
Enjoy the trip, I'd slow down and enjoy the journey but then again, I avoid large cities and larger towns like I avoid the plague! Give me a deserted mountain or a babbling stream rather than a night club or fancy restaurant.
Keep us posted, check your oils and fluids frequently and I'd suggest to start out slow and gradually add distance. Get the feel for the unit, how it brakes, corners, accelerates, any idiosyncrasies, etc. but again..... That's just me fretting about things! 
Dave
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landkholdings
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Joined: March 11, 2008
Posts: 250
Location: N. GA
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| Posted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 7:02 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for all of the comments! We're getting ready to head east now. We drove around yesterday quite a bit, and the van appears to be sound. I don't have a tach, and we're in no hurry whatsoever, so 65 looks like cruising speed. It has a stock Vanagon tranny, so what am I turning at 65-70mph? Is that pushing it? My splitty would be turning 3500-4000 at those speeds, but she's more of a 55-60mph kinda gal.
| levi wrote: |
| That shot of the engine bay is..... interesting. |
I agree, but that fuel line doesn't go anywhere, and all of those hose clamps are on an a/c line, so I don't have to worry about them for a few months. But it runs, drives, and stops like a new car. My other bus is a 58, so the Vanagon with a 2.2L really is like a new car.
| dr. no wrote: |
| I think most of us avoid staying in or near cities |
I'm with you, but I consider myself lucky that she's willing to do this at all, and that she's willing to camp one night. My buddy's girl is using our trip and Melissa's report as a barometer because he's itching to do the same thing.
Wish us luck and stay tuned!
Here's us tooling around San Diego and a pelican.
[/quote]
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