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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32574
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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 Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 4:39 pm Post subject: A Long Summer ending with a Westy trip for 6! |
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My oldest Daughter moved to Montana with her family..... Four children.
Along comes surprise package #5! Very premature (24 weeks, now 8 weeks old) very sick and may be in the Hospital for a year!
What to do with the older four for the Summer? Dad has to work, Mom at the Hospital........
Well, my forever helpful Wife is ready to offer US as a 10-12 week Summer child care service!
We would house, feed, clothe and entertain them for the Summer (really not a daunting task considering that taking care of children while parents work IS our Summer occupation)
Just throw them in with the other 500 cherubs! Who will really notice four more!
The tricky part will be driving them all home in my 86 Weekender!
I knew getting a weekender that seats 6 was a smart move!
I think I'll be needing a roof top box and Jack Bombays heavier pop top struts! Also a tent and a heap more food and silverware!
I may be staring at quite an adventure..... We aren't young and to have a 10 yr old Girl, 8 yr old Boy and two Six year old twins, one Boy, one Girl, will add up to an exhausting summer!
But alas! Memories will be made, the Van very well tested and just a few more grey hairs in our heads!
We may however hibernate throughout the Fall recovering........
So...... Camping with kids...... Haven't done that for Decades!
Boy, how the best laid plans change in a heart beat!
Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Last edited by djkeev on Wed Jun 17, 2015 3:22 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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BlueGrasser
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2014
Posts: 562
Location: Sacramento
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds like a fun road trip. From my experience kids LOVE hammocks and climbing around in the luggage rack. Keeps em' occupied for quite some time 
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Going to where the grass is bluer...
1985 Vanagon Westfalia Camper with 1.8T |
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newfisher
Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2012
Posts: 1764
Location: The wet spot--Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 9:29 pm Post subject: |
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Wow Dave!
Good on you guys to help. Best wishes for mom and the new ones recovery. As you know, kids CAN be fun, they also allow us to become one again. You were tired of restoring your van anyway....right? |
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rubbachicken
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2004
Posts: 3058
Location: socal
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:17 pm Post subject: |
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i think you'll all have a blast 
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lucy our westy
lucy's BIG adventure
meet 'burni'
markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 or 617 935 4182 |
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jimf909 
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 7462
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2015 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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Do we get before and after pics? And who'll babysit this place while you're away?
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- Jim
| Abscate wrote: |
Do not get killed, do not kill others.
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Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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morymob
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2007
Posts: 4683
Location: east-tn
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 4:55 am Post subject: |
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| Reminds me of our daughters that age, now 2 grandkids 14 & 15,kept them a lot as they grew up, now both are quite a bit taller than me (5-7).4 fresh nephew's/niece, all under 6 yrs, we have really realized why it's the young that have those things. |
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6829
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:09 am Post subject: |
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not a problem!
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dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16501
Location: Brookeville, MD
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7754
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 6:34 am Post subject: |
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You know how to have fun - go for it!
Best wishes to your daughter & her family - stop by if you're in the neighborhood!
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32574
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 6:08 am Post subject: |
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So...... It's happening.
Four kids arriving Early June to spend the Summer.
We will be taking them home to Montana in the VW camper.
Talk about motivation to finish this project!!!!
My Wife is giddy with excitement and making plans for their arrival...... I fear this Summer will be costing me more than I are making!!!!!! 
So many overwhelming aspects to this plan.
Luggage and daily needs for 6 are FAR different than for 2.
Bedding, clothes, food, toys, tent, etc.
Roof rack or rear 2" receiver carrier Basket?
Roof rack, I'll need to contact Jack Bombay for some heavier top shocks! I only purchased the light duty ones.
Fortunately I've the Weekender with the Bench seat for three and the jump seat for one.
I will be adding/upgrading the rear seat belts. Happily, they are big enough......No bulky infant car seats, just a few booster seats.
Hmmmmmmm...... 3 point belts in the rear?
Life was oh so simple a few days ago!
Maybe I need to setup one of those "Go Fund Me" accounts! 
Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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BavarianWrench
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Joined: January 18, 2004
Posts: 1045
Location: Oceans Edge
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| Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 7:11 am Post subject: |
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| Dave, hopefully those six year olds still need nap time. You might need some rest. When I was six, I had a key to the house and got around on two wheels. I did look both ways before crossing the street though. You keep this place sane and fun. You'll show those kids a good time. |
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leathersmyth
Samba Member
Joined: September 23, 2012
Posts: 122
Location: Calgary,Alberta
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| Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 9:23 am Post subject: |
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Well,weve slept six in the van with not problem....
Have the middle seat for driving time,comes out at campsite. For sleeping,i made a cot up that hangs above steering wheel,then turn front seats so they face each other.then i made up a foam covered board that sits between the turned seat. So two sleep in bunk beds in front of van,two sleep above and two sleep in lower bed......
when everyone gets too big for the front bunkbeds well that will need to be addressed but right now,it works....
The cot and foam board fit on top bunk when we are driving so they are out of way.... |
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leathersmyth
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Joined: September 23, 2012
Posts: 122
Location: Calgary,Alberta
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| Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 9:32 am Post subject: |
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Forgot to add....
Use one or two black ski boxes on roof to hold alot of the gear that is needed when you camp. So the van on the inside is not That crowded with gear... |
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dobryan
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Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16501
Location: Brookeville, MD
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Jeffrey Lee
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1488
Location: Wisconsin
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| Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 11:19 am Post subject: |
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| leathersmyth wrote: |
| Use one or two black ski boxes on roof to hold alot of the gear ... So the van on the inside is not That crowded with gear... |
Dave, for your sanity I'd suggest you put the children in the ski boxes and the gear inside the van.
But that's just me ... |
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Jake de Villiers
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Joined: October 24, 2007
Posts: 5911
Location: Tsawwassen, BC
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| Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 11:50 am Post subject: |
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Dave, you are going to have fun!!
Yes, there will be some petty squabbling and some time-outs will be necessary, but those kids will remember it as the trip of a lifetime.
Definitely put the camping stuff up top - let the kids climb up to get it, too - they'll argue over whose turn it is!
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'84 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX
'86 Westy Weekender Poptop/2.5 Subaru/5 Speed Posi/Audi Front Brakes/16 x 7 Mercedes Wheels - answers to 'Dixie'
@jakedevilliersmusic1
http://sites.google.com/site/subyjake/mydixiedarlin%27
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
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Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50336
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| Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 1:02 pm Post subject: |
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| This will surely be one of your grandkids' great memories. |
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CdnVWJunkie
Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004
Posts: 1110
Location: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 5:26 am Post subject: |
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Sounds like a fun summer!
We have four ourselves.
Do you have a trailer hitch? Maybe a small utility trailer would be handy? Surely there will some gear that won't be needed during the trip (extra clothes, bikes, who knows what else?) that could stay "put" for the trip duration. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32574
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 8:55 am Post subject: |
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| CdnVWJunkie wrote: |
Sounds like a fun summer!
We have four ourselves.
Do you have a trailer hitch? Maybe a small utility trailer would be handy? Surely there will some gear that won't be needed during the trip (extra clothes, bikes, who knows what else?) that could stay "put" for the trip duration. |
Huh! Hadn't considered that option!
Pull it to Denver where I drop the Kids, let my Son In Law tow it to Montana where I'll pick it up on the return journey, or just leave it there.
No roof racks, no expensive roof boxes, no heavy duty Jack Bombay shocks, no rear carrier basket!
I like this........
And look whats out by the Ghia screaming ROAD TRIP!!!!!
Get a spare, repack the wheel bearings, get a spare set of bearings........ Hmmmmmm
Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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singler3360
Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2009
Posts: 1191
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
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| Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 9:28 am Post subject: |
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^^^^ x2
Just for the dreaded footwear clutter alone  Besides, some report better MPG with a trailer. |
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