solo road trip - new interior - camp set up (pic heavy)

[ultralite]

Have I proclaimed my love for my Westy lately?

Friday I got out for a solo trip, leaving hot, steamy Atlanta for the cool Appalachian Mountains. I found a great, new camping spot in the southern Nantahala. I spent the better part of the weekend exploring forest service roads, hiking, and meeting great folks.

I packed my 12volt refrigerator with leftovers from home and stopped at this roadside overlook for lunch:

Then into the woods, this being my first of a few water crossings:

For miles and miles, it looked like this:

and this:

After some exploring, I set up camp in a Federal campground. Here are some photos of the interior we re-did over the winter and, how I like to set up:

I know this isn't stock but I was going for a "stockish" look. I took the entire interior out because that's new carpet too. While everything was out I put a layer of sound dampening over everything from the windows down, including the floor.

My wife made the curtains and disassembled the original vinyl to make a pattern for the new vinyl you see here. She had never worked with vinyl like this before, man I was impressed.

I fill the solar shower up at home, by the time I get to the mountains the water is typically 110-120 degrees. Ahhh! Hot showers after hiking, can't beat it.

The next morning I got up and made coffee:

After some more conversation with camp neighbors and new friends, I took off for several more miles of dirt roads. But eventually I came out of the woods to this:

And this:

Once I got back to civilization I stopped for a biscuit and more coffee and looked over my maps for future campgrounds to scout. Eventually I made it to Glen Falls which I'm standing in the middle of here (though the water seems to not really contrast with the stone in the photo):

Then, it was over to Whiteside Mountain where I found this:

and more views:

Once I got home I washed the Westy and "tucked it in"

_________________
Godspeed

'76 Beetle (sold)
'69 Beetle (sold)
'72 BMW 2002 (RIP)
'69 Westy
'02 BMW wagon AWD w/stick shift(sold)
'67 Beetle (sold)

[ultralite]

some other thoughts as it gets difficult to remember all the pics AND what I wanted to say:

1. If you can ever get out for a solo trip, I highly recommend it. The freedom to just wander where you want when you want is something most of us rarely get to do.

2. I could spend months cris-crossing the Appalachian Mountains, there are so many corners and far off places with amazing views.

3. I know I'm preaching to the choir but can anything beat these Busses? It fits in my 7 foot garage but has clearance for forest service roads AND maneuvers easily through tight spaces and parking lots. I slept in it, showered, prepared meals, sat back and relaxed in it AND I even have a camp toilet in there.

4. It ran like a top the entire time. I must have done at least 100 miles of forest service roads in total, it never gave me a moments pause except to look around and marvel at all.
_________________
Godspeed

'76 Beetle (sold)
'69 Beetle (sold)
'72 BMW 2002 (RIP)
'69 Westy
'02 BMW wagon AWD w/stick shift(sold)
'67 Beetle (sold)

[Marleybus]

I hear you Brother.. Im planning a week in September here in Ontario
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1972 VW Westy (Hit by dumptruck)
1963 VW Beetle (RIP)
1974 VW Beetle (RIP)
1981 Vanagon Westfalia (Sold)
1969 VW Beetle Convertible (Wifes)
1977 VW Westy 2.0L FI Chrome Yellow
1978 VW Westy 2.0L FI (Under Restoration)
1973 VW Westy 1.7L Tourist Delivery Orange
Check out my thread!!http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=556709

[72camper]

Great trip, man. Let me know next time, if you want, and we can pack the families up and do a solo trip together.

My wife and children just got in from a day trip to Senoia. We take one each Sunday. Both times over 130 miles and it's been great.

[chabanais]

Like the color.

For some reason it seems like the front air vents on the blue Buses are often white... much more so than with any other color Bus.
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"I spud therefore I yam."

[86scotty]

Nice trip report! Looks like a great, and quiet time. Just returning from almost 3 weeks on the road I can honestly say two of my favorite camp gadgets are a pour over coffee setup like yours and the same little butane Coleman stove. I only used my grill stove once or twice, for grilling. Also, I almost made it through the entire trip on one $3 canister of butane.

[Brian]

Radical man
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Wash your hands

'69 Bug
'68 Baja Truck
'71 Bug
'68 Camper

Only losers litter

[t-hardwick]

Beautiful bus man! Love the pics! I like what you made for the back! What is it?
_________________
If the vans a 'rockin' dont come a 'knockin'
If you pay peanuts, then you're going to get monkeys'

1975 Beetle

[ultralite]

Something I left out about this Bus weekend; the car show.

There was a car show this Sunday evening in our church parking lot which is shared by a tattoo parlor and microbrewery, among other restaurants and businesses. The respective owners of the brewery and tattoo place attend our church. Tattoo dude put the car show together and owns a beautiful Bel-Air about the color of my Westy.

I took the Westy. Folks come walking up with the biggest grins on their faces.

Point here is; it was great to end the weekend among friends and make new ones. From the wilderness to the city, folks love these things...
_________________
Godspeed

'76 Beetle (sold)
'69 Beetle (sold)
'72 BMW 2002 (RIP)
'69 Westy
'02 BMW wagon AWD w/stick shift(sold)
'67 Beetle (sold)

[ultralite]

[bspeaks1]

Looks like a good trip. I've done the Blue Ridge Parkway multiple times on a Harley but haven't had my bus out there. After seeing your pics I hope to remedy the situation soon!
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1972 Westy Bus w/2.0 motor

[BerryBus]

I am totally envious. I am still working on getting mine on the road for first trip. Hoping to get it out of paint this week for first trip this weekend. I will need to share as well.

Thank you for sharing.
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1970 7 Pass/Riviera/Westfalia - Ours
1968 + 1971 Bus Trailer
1991 Porsche 964 C4 Cabriolet - Mine
2005 New Beetle Convertible - Wife
2012 Touareg TDI

[Bala]

Looks like a great trip!
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1976 Westy

1966 Beetle

[71whitewesty]

Looks like a great trip and a dialed westy. Thanks for the photos and trip report.
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71 Westy 1600 DP, all stock Bus 1
1970's Snow Trac 1600 SP (sold 12/2016)
1968 Tucker sno cat, sold 2021
1969 Tucker Sno cat 542
2017 VW Alltrac
71 tin top stock 1600 DP (project but runs)
Twin 71 White Westy, Bus 2, that I pulled from a 15 year slumber in a dry eastern WA field in 2015.
1966 Sundial Camper "Boomer"

[wcfvw69]

Hey, beautiful westy ya got there! Nice pics too.

What color is that blue out of curiosity?
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[ultralite]

[Klaussinator]

Looks like an awesome trip -- and yes, I agree with you on the "solo" aspect. Not always, but sometimes it's very much needed! These buses sure are unique and wonderful in their own way. You just don't get that from any new vehicles being offered today.

Your pic of the rear hatch tent made me do a double-take! Looks oddly similar to my homemade shower room. I use a big shallow tote as the "floor" to stay out of the mud. All the pieces, including any towels and toiletries, then pack into the tote for easy transport and storage. Two stakes into the ground plus a few magnets to the bumper, hold the shower curtain from flapping in the breeze.

-Klauss

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the Klaussinator - `73 hardtop Bay custom-built camper