Trip planning ~ May 2025

[djkeev]

Well, come May I'm headed to the Oregon Coast to spread my Wife's ashes in one of her favorite spots.

To say this trip is one of mixed emotions is an understatement!

Excitement mixed with great sadness.
Odd this emotion thing......

Anyway...... I've got the house sitters arranged for while I'm gone.
I've many people to see on my journey, both family and friends.

A rough plan is from my home, journey to my Wife's Sister in Indiana.

Next to Missouri to see another Sister.

And from there to visit her Brother in Colorado Springs.
Yes, these are my Wife's siblings, but after 55 years, they are just as much mine too!

My Wife and I had good friends we met in Miami back in 1977.
We grew close and spent much of our life in contact if not visiting.
She ended up being of my Wife's dearest friends.
We were so close that our oldest daughter is named after her,

Anyway, after my Wife's passing I received a condolences phone call from her.
We talked, my Youngest daughter and I went and visited her one Sunday.
Through a series of event's we kindled a new but different friendship, not based upon romance but rather upon years of shared experiences.

When I was telling her my plans to head West she quietly asked if I had an empty seat and if so can she come?

This sparked a LOT of discussion for my camper is a mere tintop..... one bed..... hmmmm......

We finally decided to go together and have worked out many details.
After working out sleeping details I stumbled across a used Mini Mate camper trailer designed for motorcycles.

https://www.kompactkamptrailers.com/minimatecamper

I purchased it yesterday. For us it is basically an extra bedroom and changes almost everything!

These little campers have piqued my curiosity for several years but never saw the need to seek one out.
They are made about 45 minutes from my home.

Anyway.....

From Colorado Springs I am heading to the Glen Canyon Dam in Northern Arizona where her Son is a Park Ranger.
She is flying out to visit him.
I will pick her up there on the 17th and we head to Utah.

Once we leave Bluff?
Our journey gets fuzzy.
She hasn't ever traveled the West so she wants to see many things.
I think we will run up to Arches and Canyonlands.
My next real "must do" stop is at my Brothers home in Ashland Oregon.
We may stay in Eastern Utah up to Salt Lake and eventually make our way to Crater Lake and from there to Ashland.
But that path is just a raw thought.

Once we leave Ashland I'll head to my Brother in Crescent City.

After visiting there we will head North up the Oregon Coast with the destination being Tacoma to see my Niece and my old 86 Van.

At that point, IF I get my renewed Passport in time, we will cross over and head to Nanaimo where my Brother has a vacation home.

Then we will point the old Van East to Banff Park.

And from there South to my daughters home in Great Falls Montana.

Then there will be a leisurely mere 2000 mile trek back home.

........

So...... I've never been to Western Canada.

Does anyone have tips and suggestions about the journey from Nanaimo to Banff?
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[E1]

This will all be great for you, your friend, and for All.
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1984 Westfailure/2.1 Digijet/5.43 Ring & Pinion/Peloquin/D-rated BFG KO2s
AI has spoken to further illiteracy, to steal, to cheat, and to replace humans

"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere." — Colin Chapman

[Mckinleyvillian]

god speed.

the stretch of 101 from Crescent City down to Arcata or even Garberville (sans Broadway/Eureka 101) is quite incredible that time of year... Driving through Klamath and the Avenue of the Giants in a van is like nothing else. Best food on the coast between SF and Portland (which might not be saying much, but ya know) is probably in Arcata/Trinidad too
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so many roads i know
all i want is one to take me home

85 Vanagon GL 1.9 stick

[ProvoCyclist]

If you do come up through SLC and need a place to park for the night, i'll gladly make a spot in my driveway for y'all.
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Clark
Current: 1986 Tintop GL 2wd, stock 2.1L, manual trans, Savanna Beige Metallic LH1V.
Past: 1985 Sunroof GL, 2wd, Subaru 3.3L, manual trans, resprayed to Diamond Silver L97A

[Walty87]

sounds like an epic trip!

If you find yourself in the middle of california (central valley) and need a driveway to park in.. feel free to reach out!

[latelogan]

What a trip! (edited for my mistake, because im actually supposed to be working, but your ask got me going!!)

nanaimo to Banff: there are three ways to go going east from Vancouver to Kelowna (lake county area)
Highway 1 (slow windy road) honestly not been on that route for 40 years!
Highway 5 (Coquihalla) This was mostly built as a high speed cutoff, but I don't know if Id recommend it as a vanagon w/trailer route.
Highway 3 (south route) This is the way I mostly go. Two lane black top small towns, 90 kmh speed limit (but Im old)

In any case, Id suggest you stay a night or two somewhere in the Kelowna area. There are winery's, and some of them have camping, so you can grab a meal and a wine.
Alternately, you can stay at Herald Provincal park and NOT go south if you are travelling #5 or #1.
Or you can stay south (#3) and stay in Oosoyoos/Oliver )
That night in the middle of BC should be hot and dry in the summer

Then moving on. to banff.... take the #1 East. Hit Lake Louise. Its super busy with crowds, but its is absolutely beautiful Glacial green lake. There is some camping around there if you want to stay one night but i have not done that in years, so RMV.

In banff there are campsites in Banff, I have not been there in the summer for a long time. I have heard that the crowds are nuts. having said that the falls, and the cave and basin hot springs are really nice to see. Sulpher mountain gondola is also a highlight.

our favorite for camping and hanging out is really canmore! quieter lovely town.

From banff/Canmore (if the van is running excellent), you can take highway 40 south and connect up with #2 southern alberta and stop at the "Head smashed in buffalo jump" before you hit glacier national park on the way south.

ALTERNATE FROM KELOWNA on the south route:
Lets say you decided to skip lakelousie/Banff/Canmore... Stay on the #3 and take any crossing into the you like. You can go all the way to Glacier NAtional Park on this.

Personally, I love all the little towns on the south route. You cant go wrong....it wont be banff, but its still gonna be lovely! Then again, Ive been through the #1 route into calgary many times... so not fussy anymore!

If you want Id be happy to setup a couple of google routes for you.. let me know.


Couple of items:
You need to reserve the ferry to vancouver island.... I live here... I know... it can really suck if you dont. and you need to be there 30 minutes before departure for use your reservation.
You will need to prebook your campsites on this route. It gets super busy, so youll need to get on many weeks in advance. Most provincial sites have FCFS sites besides their bookable ones, but with Canadians trying to stay put this year... it could be extraordinary!
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1991 Westy stock 2.1 auto transmission
1978 Westy (Sold)
1971 Westy (Sold)

[Howesight]

Hi Dave:

I was so sorry to learn about your beloved wife's passing and I send my condolences.

My sisters (in Ontario) and I are likely going to get together for Syncro Solstice as they have gotten spellbound by the pictures of Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. They have never seen the American West and barely seen much of the Canadian West and have placed that kind of travel on their bucket lists. I'm the only Western guy in our family, living in BC since 1987, with my siblings all staying in Ontario.

You'll find a lot of interesting places on your trip through Western Canada. I can suggest a few pointers:

1. Vancouver Island is very beautiful in its own right. From Nanaimo, it's not a long drive to the gorgeous West Coast of Vancouver Island at Tofino. There are camping opportunities there, both public and private. Beautiful sunsets are likely in May.

2. You can drive down from Nanaimo when getting ready to leave Vancouver Island to see Victoria itself, which is rather like a Disney version of a cute city (pop 300,000) with lots of touristy things ot see and do, most reasonably priced. A bonus for a woman!

3. The ferries that depart at Nanaimo and from the Victoria area go either to Horseshoe Bay or to Tsawwassen. As others have said above, reserve your ferry trips to avoid disappointment and delay.

4. I agree with the poster above about taking Highway 3 to head west towards Banff. There are a number of hotsprings along the way that are very worthwhile visiting. Highway 93 and 95 are both great, scenic routes to get to Banff. Reserve a campsite at Banff at the Tunnel Mountain campground. The campsites there are okay, but are really a place to call home while you poke around the park and the touristy Banff townsite. Do take the gondola up Sulphur Mountain and also take a soak at the Sulphur mountain hot springs.

5. Canmore is where Mrs. Howesite comes from! There's alpine camping not far away at Spray Lakes. You will likely see Elk there and possibly grizzlies also.

6. To head south to Montana, you can take the "Cowboy Trail" between Calgary and Lethbridge and then on Alberta Highway 4 to the border where it become I-15 at Coutts, Alberta, and takes you straight to Great Falls, Montana.

We will all be watching for your updates and plans!
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'86 Syncro Westy SVX

[dobryan]

Sounds great! We will be at Syncro Solstice outside Moab Utah May 15-18. We’d love to see you there although that would require a change in your schedule.
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2010 Subaru EJ25 (Vanaru) and Peloquin TBD

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[MsTaboo]

[termuehlen]

That's a big trip Dave! I will be in Ashland much of May. Sounds like you are set up with your brother there, but if you need any support while you are there let me know. Safe travels!
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1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

[dhaavers]

Lake Louise!!! If you’re that close, you should go to there… Spectacular!

Decide for yourself whether or not to visit one of the restaurant$$$ at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (pictured).

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Xevin]

I know you are familiar with the Pacific Northwest. Should you get in to Portland. You can always use my place for a pit stop. I’m close to a few Vanagon specialty shops and live in a Vanagon friendly area. I’ve had more than few VW travelers camp out over the years. You are probably heading up the coast and crossing into Washington over the Astoria-Megler Bridge but if you get into to Portland, let me know. Safe travels
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Keep on Busin'

[Chris-a]

If ya need some advice from a former local for whitefish/glacier let me know.
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[jimf909]

[4Gears4Tires]

I am sure it'll be an epic trip to her final destination.
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'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition

[RoryGirl]

I'm in Nanaimo if you need anything or want to drop by and stare at my pile of parts.

Be careful if you're parking in the Downtown area...I'd probably want a tongue/coupler lock on that trailer.
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1991 Twin Slider VR6
1985 Audi 4k

[Abscate]

We are going to mark all the roads with 55, Dave. You know why.


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[THE KESZTHELY KID]

What an amazing road-trip you are planning there Dave.
I'll be doing a similar task in September when I will be driving my 1980 Westy to take my late Hungarian father's ashes back to Hungary.
Hull to Rotterdam ferry
https://www.poferries.com/en/routes/hull-to-rotterdam#route
Then drive through Holland, Germany, Austria then finally reaching Magyarorszag.

Lake Balaton is also known as Plattensee in German. Father always wanted his ashes to be scattered at sea and I have to honour his wishes. As a '56 Freedom Fighter my family wished that he should return to Hungary rather than be scattered onto the Mediterranean sea, or even worse North Sea!
My folks will then pay their last respects to my father by all having a Cat-fish Goulash here https://halaszcsardakeszthely.hu/#
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Current owner of 1980 T25 Westphalia Joker.
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe - Semi-automatic!!
1983 Trabant 601S Sedan

Daily Driver - 2024 Dacia Duster Journey - Automatic

[GoEverywhere]

Sounds like an amazing trip! If you make it anywhere near Portland, there's a huge contingent of VW people here that'd love to say hello or provide support in the event you need anything!

Safe travels!!

[Ar_sims]

That sounds like an amazing trip. If you run into any trouble around missouri feel free to reach out, I am in NW Arkansas and have a garage full of tools and a full 2.1 wbx sitting in the corner of my garage.