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Trip report with pix: SW from Richmond
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campism
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Joined: September 07, 2007
Posts: 4485
Location: Richmond VA
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 11:35 am    Post subject: Trip report with pix: SW from Richmond Reply with quote

Took off Cyber Monday and the newly extended mirror stalk helps seeing to the rear past the Westy upper cabinet. The only real problems with camping at this time of year are the early sunset and the cold, although we had a week of fairly mild weather. Still got dark too early.
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Stopped to visit Bay Westy friend Dickie to see his new treehouse. Note the distinct lack of the supporting tree. He sees no fundamental problem with this.
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Made the obligatory stop in Pulaski to check on the Vanagons. There are even more of them now than during my last visit. One whole side lot that was vacant is now filled.
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Sign sculpture in eastern Tenessee. Passing semi puts it in scale, so to speak.
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We get a wave from a passing Eurovan in Tennessee. This should settle many arguments.
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When you see a sign for Volkswagen Drive, you just have to stop…
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…to see the new Jetta factory in Chattanooga. Huge place and no other Vanagons to be seen.
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View of the Minnesota monument on Missionary Ridge overlooking Chattanooga.
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Camping at Cloudland Canyon SP in Georgia. Georgia has nice state parks but they charge you a $5 park pass in addition to the camping fee so it winds up being about $10 more per night than other states for a similar site.
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The canyon itself.
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The big draw in Scottsboro AL is the famous Unclaimed Baggage Store. I bought a $3 belt to celebrate my new, slimmer waisline.
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We arrived in Birmingham AL too late for the Barber Museum and it was here that I heard the noisy alternator bearing for the first time.
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I just happened to have a spare in the van, along with my tools. Replaced it next day in the lot of Advance Auto in Pelham. Thanks, guys. Made it back to Barber before closing after this exploit.
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We later camped in Mt. Cheaha SP, home of the highest point in Alabama. Campground is just behind and downhill from this stone observation tower.
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Then on to FDR’s Little White House in Warm Springs GA, where we saw his ’38 Ford with hand controls.
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And the Little White House itself.
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Antique shops have the most interesting junk. This Scooby van could not be positively identified as a Vanagon, although the shape is generally correct.
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If you’re serious about your driving in a Be-here-now kind of way, here’s your bumper sticker.
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Last stop on the last day out we finally see another Vanagon in Durham NC!
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Trip total was just over 2,000 miles at 19.15 MPG. Thanks for looking!
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grittysoutherngirl
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Joined: November 07, 2011
Posts: 78
Location: Pensacola, Florida
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like an awesome trip. I enjoyed your pictures. Always wanted to go to the Unclaimed baggage store in Scottsdale but never made it. If you do ever get the chance to go back to the Barber Museum, it is so worth it. I spent an entire day there once.

Nice van btw!

cheers,
Misty
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Misty
Thrilled owner of a 1985 VW Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg Edition with Automatic Transmission

http://photobucket.com/franthevan
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DAIZEE
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Joined: January 26, 2010
Posts: 7552
Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 1:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I always enjoy peoples trips. I broke down in my Westy in Chattanooga 2 years ago coming home (4000 mile trip) and was treated royally. Yep that's that Scooby's Mystery Machine (a panel vanagon). Mine's a titch different but Scooby is the same!
Thanks for the pics
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'09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
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Sam Bateman
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Joined: August 07, 2010
Posts: 101
Location: Arvonia,VA
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great trip report!
I was looking at maps this morning planning my trip South in February.
My Brother lives near Auburn, AL and I was thinking of heading down the coast to near Charleston, SC and then across Georgia to Auburn to see them for a few days.
Would like to make it down to the Gulf Coast while I was down that way.
Gulf Shores, AL or somewhere close.
Hope I have as good weather in February as you did for this trip!
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Salem7
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Joined: January 24, 2010
Posts: 203
Location: Washington County, New York
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for sharing.
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1982 Westfalia 1.6NA diesel. Converted to Turbo 1.6 and sold.

1995 Eurovan Camper
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