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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3392
Location: Bozeman MT
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 Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 9:47 am Post subject: Average weekend trip report |
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After living with a leaky torque convertor seal for far too long, then a couple other issues that would be well addressed at the same time, our van has been in the shop for a few weeks (Straight-A-Way Motors, Bozeman MT - I can't say enough good things about them. Hell, I might want to take an early retirement job just to answer their phones). We had an easy shake down trip a couple weekends ago but this Saturday went for a more typical venture. Lots of dirt roads, hoping to find a dispersed site in our ever more busy National Forest, mtn biking, etc.
After getting shot down at the official campground, realizing that all the regular non-official sites were already taken, then thinking, "I seem to remember this one spot...", we got lucky.
Recently updated sticker display. I'm bummed the Mad River Canoe sticker is about to fall off. That was a gift from a good friend from VT.
I forgot how much I like staring at the van while we camp.
This is the face of a happy vanagoneer. She was really bummed while it was at the shop. She also paid the repair bill. God I love her.
Love her so much I picked flowers for the dinner table. It's mostly spotted knapweed (an invasive that needs controlled) so I killed two birds with one stone on that.
But rules are rules. If you lose a round of "campsite Bocci" you owe 5 pushups.
You may now return to the usual pondering of mechanical mishaps. 
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine
Last edited by SCM on Mon Aug 18, 2025 10:02 am; edited 1 time in total |
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danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15373
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 9:55 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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we really need a like and thumbs up button here on samba.
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| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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Red Ryder
Samba Member
Joined: June 26, 2021
Posts: 1187
Location: PNW — Washington
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 10:03 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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We like to play “campsite Yahtzee” but never thought about loser penalties. Hmmm… 
_________________
“Most everyone’s mad here. You may have noticed I am not quite all there myself.” — Cheshire Cat, Adventures of Alice in Wonderland
“Scarlett” — 1990 Vanagon Carat Wolfsburg Edition (Tornado Red)
“Nigel” — 1999 Jaguar XK8 convertible (Alpine Green Metallic) |
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4Gears4Tires
Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2018
Posts: 4259
Location: MD
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 10:18 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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Looks like a beautiful spot!
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'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 10240
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 10:33 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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Nice to read such a positive reminder of why we're here.
In case you didn't check eBay:
4 (Four) Mad River Smoking Bunny 3" Vinyl Stickers Canoe Boat Paddle Sailing | eBay https://share.google/kaqt5FfGdt8qoqoDc |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 4600
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 10:36 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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Are we changing the Thread name to SCM's No Big Whoop Trip Thread....
It went like 'butta' after the repairs in the Shop. 
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3392
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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| Red Ryder wrote: |
| We like to play “campsite Yahtzee” but never thought about loser penalties. Hmmm… |
Hmmm. The wife isn't too into table games but I'll float the idea.
Campsite Bocci rules...
- Closest to the white ball gets 2 points, second closest gets 1.
- First to get 15 points wins*
- Loser of each round does 5 pushups
- Any player losing a ball that causes a delay of game does 5 pushups.
* We're drinkers and weed smokers. Sometimes the scoring gets damn near impossible in which case each round is a stand-alone game (with pushup rule in effect) until we get hungry.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8184
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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That looks like time well-spent. Except for the push-ups.
I’m on my second year of distributing weevils to kill the spotted knapweed. Check back in three years to see if I’m making progress.
http://www.weedbustersbiocontrol.com/knapweedinsects.html
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- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
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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Xevin 
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 8673
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 10:54 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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| jlrftype7 wrote: |
Are we changing the Thread name to SCM's No Big Whoop Trip Thread....
It went like 'butta' after the repairs in the Shop. |
Looks likes a great trip. Thanks for sharing
_________________
Keep on Busin'
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!  |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
I respect Xevin and he's a turd  |
| SGKent wrote: |
My God! Xevin and I 100% agree  |
Last edited by Xevin on Mon Aug 18, 2025 10:55 am; edited 1 time in total |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3392
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 10:54 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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| jimf909 wrote: |
That looks like time well-spent. Except for the push-ups.
I’m on my second year of distributing weevils to kill the spotted knapweed. Check back in three years to see if I’m making progress.
] |
That's good work! I know some places near me have been using goats but obviously that's a bit more complicated. I've heard of the weevil strategy but I'm not really up to speed on where its been implemented here in Montana
or how well its worked.
| jlrftype7 wrote: |
| It went like 'butta' after the repairs in the Shop. |
Well, ya know, I didn't really see the need to mention that my axel seal still seems to have a small leak, or that I now have a weird idle issue to hunt down. And my gas tank crossover tube is leaking and I've had the parts to fix it for FOUR years now but have been running with the "meh, just don't fill it unless you're going to drive on the highway for a while" strategy.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 4600
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 11:03 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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| Xevin wrote: |
| jlrftype7 wrote: |
Are we changing the Thread name to SCM's No Big Whoop Trip Thread....
It went like 'butta' after the repairs in the Shop. |
Looks likes a great trip. Thanks for sharing |
Discuss.
Talk amongst yourselves...
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 4600
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 11:18 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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| SCM wrote: |
| jimf909 wrote: |
That looks like time well-spent. Except for the push-ups.
I’m on my second year of distributing weevils to kill the spotted knapweed. Check back in three years to see if I’m making progress.
] |
That's good work! I know some places near me have been using goats but obviously that's a bit more complicated. I've heard of the weevil strategy but I'm not really up to speed on where its been implemented here in Montana
or how well its worked.
| jlrftype7 wrote: |
| It went like 'butta' after the repairs in the Shop. |
Well, ya know, I didn't really see the need to mention that my axel seal still seems to have a small leak, or that I now have a weird idle issue to hunt down. And my gas tank crossover tube is leaking and I've had the parts to fix it for FOUR years now but have been running with the "meh, just don't fill it unless you're going to drive on the highway for a while" strategy. |
Well, sorry to hear about the axle seal- they do seem to be hard to get rid of, or, they crop back up a few months after you're replaced the seal on them, and driven the VW a bit.
Fuel Tank seals, well, get them done sooner than later. I can't imagine Montana has Gas stations in abundance on all roads.... 
_________________
'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 23976
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 11:24 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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It does. You wont run out of gas, but you will run out jerries.
I miss Bozeman. Its like the LIE without traffic or bagels.
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🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🍊 🍊 🍊 |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3392
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 11:32 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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It's the crossover hose that weeps gas when I fill the tank. It's the older style woven hose that was all that was available when I replaced the tank when I first bought the van. It doesn't lose gas but just smells bad for a while. I've had the better Van Cafe replacement in my garage forever now but... THE REAL problem with Montana is that when the weather is nice enough to work on your van you want to be out camping in it. When camping season is over its too darn cold to work on your van.
I suspect the crossover hose job will wait (again) until next spring. We're making up for lost time on the camping front now!
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3392
Location: Bozeman MT
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 11:34 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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| Abscate wrote: |
It does. You wont run out of gas, but you will run out jerries.
I miss Bozeman. Its like the LIE without traffic or bagels. |
I've been told by my east coast friends that I'm spoiled when I say this, but I will say it. Traffic sucks here.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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Xevin
Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2014
Posts: 8673
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 11:58 am Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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| SCM wrote: |
I've been told by my east coast friends that I'm spoiled when I say this, but I will say it. Traffic sucks here. |
That’s cute. And I’m in the Pacific Northwest and not the east coast. Abscate has not commuted to work in a vintage VW for decades. And good for him. He hasn’t driven a VW camper for camping since?????
I’m F’ing with abscate. That dude flys the globe constantly. He’s kinda of a bad ass.
_________________
Keep on Busin'
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
| Clatter wrote: |
| Damn that Xevin... |
| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| I respect Xevin and he's a turd |
| SGKent wrote: |
| My God! Xevin and I 100% agree |
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uberaudi
Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013
Posts: 629
Location: Hi-top Country
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| Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 1:33 pm Post subject: Re: Average weekend trip report |
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Sometimes the average ones are the best ones. Looks like you found a nice spot away from everyone else...bonus!
Also, KGLT is the best! I've been a supporting member for many years now.
To the next weekend!
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'84 Adventurewagen 1Z TDI, '08 Audi Avant Quattro 6spd BHW TDI |
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