Trip planning/report ~ May 2025

[Abscate]

I check in with via text every few. He’s not a “ hey look at me post every day kind of guy” but I’m sure he will chime in when ready.

Safe travels , Dave, we are looking out ftom on Earth and her from above.
_________________
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊

[VeeDubn]

[clamay]

djkeev, How is your trip going? I check the Samba daily hoping to read your progress. Are you on another thread or just busy having fun. Keep us posted.
_________________
91 Carat, automatic, GW 2.2, GW EFI, Peloquin TBD

When you come to a fork in the road, take it. --Yogi Berra

[Tobias Duncan]

If you want to dip south a bit and hit Taos, let me know

[clamay]

Did you decide not to use the little camping trailer? I was thinking about purchasing one and wanted to hear your review of said. Happy trails!
_________________
91 Carat, automatic, GW 2.2, GW EFI, Peloquin TBD

When you come to a fork in the road, take it. --Yogi Berra

[Braukuche]

Sounds like a great trip, albeit under sad circumstances. All the best.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now
1989 Westfalia

[Abscate]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

awesome Dave!

I hope the rest of the trip goes as well as the first part. Any window crank from about any vw 1968 onward will fit
_________________

[sanchius]

[AndyBees]

Dave I've been following along like others. Thanks for the updates.

Safe travels..

Edit: Dave how did you go through or around Columbus, OH? Also, besides the paper maps, DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteerare, are you using a GPs unit such as Garmin or Tom Tom?
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful.

[Xevin]

Nice trip Dave. Thanks for sharing. If you are near Denver when you read this I’m sure Van Cafe has a window crank
Did you take the right side crank and swap it to the left. You could just leave the vice grips on the right side if needed until you get a replacement. Let me know if you need help in the Portland and PNW area. Between Samba user GoEverywhere, myself and local VW shops in the PNW we could source parts, help, or find beers. Safe travels.
_________________
Keep on Busin'

[djkeev]

Today will be an easy day, just headed to see my Wife’s brother in Colorado Springs.
It will be a fast visit for they leave headed to Africa on the 15th.
I’ll only spend the night of the 13th and in the morning of the 14th to get out of their hair as they get ready to leave.
Short and sweet, often the best visits!

From there I have the luxury of time to cross the Rockies.
I need to be in Page Az on the 17th to pick up my travel companion for the rest of the trip.

After picking her up I’ve a get together on the 18th and then my next stop is my brothers house in Crescent City Ca.
My only firm date after that is June 12th at my Daughters home in Great Falls Montana.
My path is loosely planned, travel the coast to Tacoma Wa.
Maybe a quick visit to Nanaimo BC if my brother isn’t off sailing ….. he has an ever changing sailing trip planned.
_________________
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

[djkeev]

Troubles you wonder?
1700 miles on a largely untested machine.
I did indeed take it to see Duncan in Vermont before he passed.
I had running problems, a severe oil leak and l left my gas cap at a gas station in Vermont if you recall.

All of those items have been repaired before taking this journey.

My differential oil leak has been repaired!
My weak reverse problem has been repaired!

Both were ….. I freely admit, results of poor mechanical practices on my part.
Damage to rubber parts on assembly.

The engine and transaxle are now bone dry!!!!
Zero coolant loss or leaks!

The heat works well….. as does the Air Conditioner!

I did develop a high speed miss, above 3000 rpm.
As I drove along I remembered my years of thesamba post reading……
I mulled over in my brain the possibilities.
One time I stopped for a break and to walk Beau.
I lingered for an hour or better after a severe bout of high speed missing.
I noticed as I again set out and headed West… no engine miss!
I could wind that puppy up to 4000 and smooth as silk!
Until
It warmed back up….. ignition coil is heat sunk! My brain shouted at me!
The next morning I dug out my new Busch coil I carry and temporarily hung it off the Air Conditioner pipes.
I went the entire day with no missing!
First guess on the cause and nailed it!!!
As a bonus?
My fuel mileage jumped up significantly and I have more power!

The other tragedy is my window crank handle broke!!!
These aren’t available on every street corner!
Anyone meeting up around Durango have a spare?
Please throw it in your van before you come!
I’m kicking myself!
I knew it was sloppy and I have new ones at home but I forgot about it.
_________________
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

[djkeev]

The journey thus far has been amazing!
I’ve purposed to avoid freeways and I only succumbed but once to their draw.
As US 40 weaves its way alongside I 70 in Ohio, I thought, the Van is running well, how bad can the interstate really be?
So West of Springfield Ohio I left the calm and beauty of US40 and slid down that enticing entry ramp to the hell of interstate travel!
The road was worn, patched and bumpy!
Trucks! OMG the trucks!!!
Bumper to bumper, cars whizzing by at terrifying speeds!
Within a few miles I saw an exit sign and boy did I take it!!!

I meandered a few miles south, found my calm and mostly empty US 40 and continued West!
No traffic, few trucks and beautiful scenery!
I am now almost 1700 miles in, and have traveled just one exit of limited access highway!
Missouri’s roads have been excellent and lightly used, the same with Kansas though the speed limits jumped up to 65 in many places and surprisingly the traffic is heavier!
I’m doing 55-60 mph purposely, I find it to be a good speed for the Van and I find it comfortable to maintain.
Am I a road impediment?
I’m sure I am!
But I keep an eye behind me and pull over as necessary to let folk by.
They honk, flash lights and wave in appreciation as they zoom off into the horizon!

I’ve already received the astonished glances and comments……. Folk look at my Plate and exclaim “you drove here in THAT from Pennsylvania!?!?!

Stories then follow on how they had one, their parents had one or some buddy had one……

They smile as they reminisce and then wish me safe travels as they climb into their expensive go fast machine.
_________________
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

[Abscate]

Safe travels ,Dave , and enjoy your trip.
_________________
🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊

[jimf909]

Best news of the month. Safe travels!
_________________
- Jim

[djkeev]

Well,
I am SO PAST DUE for an update!!


I’ve photos that I will add but many are in my other phone.
I am carrying two phones, my phone on Consumer cellular and my deceased Wife’s phone on Verizon.
From experience traveling I am well aware that some services work, where others do not.

I am currently at the Goodman State fishing lake in Kansas for the night.
Absolutely beautiful weather, A gorgeous sunset, As the sun is setting in the west I could simultaneously see the full moon rising in the east!
The full moon has lit up the flat Prairie in a most magnificent and beautiful way.

My dog Beau and I are lying in the back of the van with the curtains wide open, we are admiring the starry night, the full moon and the silvery landscape!

But let me back up….

My plan was to leave on May 5, Monday ….. Cinco de Mayo, which sadly because of transmission rebuilding issues and late part delivery I did not get the van running until Saturday morning, May 3.
I drove a few small trips on Saturday after I got it running and then Sunday morning the 4th I took off for a quick trip to the Poconos as a long distance test drive. I needed to pick up camping supplies and trip supplies from the person I’m picking up in Page Arizona on the 17th.
It was also their last day of work retiring Sunday afternoon.

I did not return home until the early afternoon of Monday the 5th and I began packing.
It became quickly obvious that there is no way I was leaving on Monday!


I readjusted my schedule and made a goal of leaving on Tuesday at 10:00 am.
Sadly, with all the trip prep I had to do …. that time came and went, I readjusted to leave at noon. I readjusted to leave at 1….. and as 3 o’clock rolled around I was ready to go!


It was suggested that I not go and spend another night at home, get up early Wednesday and leave, but I was so frustrated.
I just decided to take off.
So at 3 o’clock the dog and I pointed the Van West and headed towards Hershey and Harrisburg ….. really not knowing how far we would travel or where we were going to spend the night.
Leaving at 3 o’clock, I hit school bus hour. There was an accident on the road, causing a traffic jam. Then people got off of work and quite honestly getting through Hershey. Pennsylvania was the worst portion of this trip thus far! Harrisburg wasn’t even as bad as Hershey!

I spent that Tuesday night at a state park just to the west of Harrisburg.
I had a wonderful campsite. I backed the Van up to the creek and was able to listen to the gurgle of the creek all night long.
There were very few other people in the campground.
It was very quiet and I got a good night sleep.

The next morning Wednesday I got up and purposely planned a route avoiding all interstates and limited access highways…. I struck a path West.

I crossed the Appalachians on gorgeous roads. There was fresh spring greenery with little to no traffic.

just an absolutely delightful drive.

Then I crossed into West Virginia. I believe it was on route 21 south of Wheeling.
I pretty much drove directly across the state and crossed into Ohio that same day.
West Virginia may win the curviest road award!

My first destination was my Wife’s Sister in Greenville, Indiana.
I have been part of my wife’s family for 55 years.
The sister I went to see is her youngest sister who does not remember life without me in it!
Greenfield is just east of Indianapolis, but I could not make it in one day.

I had set as a goal for the night an Ohio State Park.
But while I was still a good hour or so from my destination, the skies opened up, the thunder roared and The lightning flashed!
Then torrential quantities of rain came down late Wednesday afternoon turning daylight to darkness.

While driving in the intense rain, I cease out of the corner of my eye a state park sign pointing to the right and said camping 2 miles, I jammed on my brakes, cut the wheel hard and then headed down the road.

Turns out I had found Jesse Owens State Park in Ohio and the place was far from full.
As I pulled in during the rain, I noticed that every camper in the place was parked on the grass which I initially thought was odd …. and against my better wisdom and better judgment, I pulled off of the road onto the grass.
I promptly sunk up to the wheel rims in mud!


I was stuck! Absolutely stuck!
At least I was level and could wait until morning to figure out how to get out of the mud.
I wasn’t going to go anywhere without somebody pulling me out of the mud.
It was still raining hard. I didn’t either bother getting out of the van. I just climbed into the back, poured myself a bowl of cereal and lay down on the bed to do some reading and some writing.
After a short period of time, I noticed a glimmer of sunshine shining into the van. I peeked out the windows and saw that the clouds were parting and the sun had come to brighten up the late afternoon and early evening.

I also noticed that there was a group of guys in the campground sitting around a roaring bonfire!
I also noticed that for each guy seemed to be a four-wheel-drive pick up truck!

I put Beau on his leash and we went visiting.
I introduced myself admitted my stupidity that I had pulled off the gravel roadway, and that I was horribly stuck.
I asked if any of them had a tow strap and would be willing to help me get out of my predicament. One by one the men around the fire made a comment that they usually carry a tow strap, but didn’t bring it on this trip or no they didn’t carry a tow strap ever., and finally one of them shouted over to a gentleman, not in the circle asking if he had a tow strap to which answer was yes he did!
When informed of my situation he said “well I haven’t had that many beers. I think I can still drive! Sure, I’d be happy to pull you out.”
He graciously came over, hooked up the strap, and with hardly any effort at all, pulled my van up the mud.
I offered him beer money to which he refused and said he enjoyed helping me and that he’s been helped so many times in the past the least he could do is to help me!

I thanked him profusely and decided to take a walk towards the office to see if I could locate any cellular service because no one knew where I was and I carried my phone and my deceased wife’s phone which we’re both on different networks both sadly had no service!
I did find service and I let my daughter know where I was, and other people know where I was.
I did walk the dog for a bit and went back to my van.

As I approached my Van, I noticed the guys still sitting around the campfire and by this time it had grown dark, and I decided to thank them all once again for their help. Their response was for me to pull up a chair. We got lots of beers visit for a while.
I spent the next two hours talking to them hearing their stories how they come here every year for the past 35 years to fish together.
When was all said and done and I was saying my good nights they invited me back next year to go fishing with them.

So, what could’ve been an absolutely horrible situation turned out to be when the most enjoyable nights I’ve had for quite a while!
_________________
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

[dabaron]

safe travels Dave.
_________________
1991 Vanagon GL Camper
i had no idea i wanted to be a mechanic

[coqcitywesty]

My condolences for your loss - hoping the trip will be therapeutic for you.

If you travel to Vancouver Island and ferry back to the mainland via Horseshoe Bay, Whistler is only about 75 minutes north of Horseshoe Bay. Whistler should be on any BC visitors bucket list in that it gives you a reason to take the Sea to Sky highway which is a spectacular piece of ‘must drive’ roadway. There are a few campgrounds near the village including Riverside https://www.parkbridge.com/en/resort/resort-detail/riverside which is very well appointed. I have driveway space available in Coquitlam, which is 30 minutes west of Vancouver if you’re stuck. Best of luck.
_________________
1991 Westfalia EJ251, 1972 Volvo 1800 ES

[Schuylersister]

Heartfelt Condolences! Sounds like an amazing trip! So much will happen on the road. I'm gonna follow your thread here.