SW Montana Westy Life

SCM · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 7:29 pm Post subject: SW Montana Westy Life

After being inspired by Jed's awesome trip to Morrocco, and reading threads about how "the Samba ain't what it used to be" (and I'm not sure that I know what "it used to be"), and also a post that "we put a lot of work into these things and it's good to remember what they were meant to do", I realized it was time for me to provide some content to the Samba.

I spent this weekend deleting my fridge, changing drinking water lines, and a few other things that aren't worth describing here. So, I thought volks might like to see what us Sambanistas in southwest Montana have available to us. Maybe this will also provide some ideas for a SWMT Vanagon outing later this year.

On the road to Homestake Pass for our first camping trip of the season

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

Camping vehicles of choice were = Westies (2), Subies (2), and Toyota Tundras (2 - one pulling a "Little Loafer").

The love of my life killing it on the "Wolfman" trail run along 9 miles of the Continental Divide Trail.

The two most cozy accommodations in the campsite

The love of my life happy as can be that we're in one of the two most cozy accommodations at campsite

And an added bonus on the drive home! I would love to own a splitty.

More to come.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

SCM · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 7:46 pm Post subject:

And then...

Holy Sh-t! An aircooled VW show in MT!! Actually, it was the Boise Thing Club's annual rally that just happened to base themselves out of our town this year. The travelers that we met were super friendly and gave us a good tour of their vehicles. They actually ALL run the SAME lightly modded power plants in order to cut down on the amount of spare parts that the group needs to carry on a trip. A good idea I think, and a bit of comfort to know that these simple machines also require a bit of forethought before a major outing. But alas, they were not interested in the Westy at all...

No worries. We have a nice secluded spot way up the valley that used to be known as Squaw Creek to lick our wounds at...

And maybe some wine and ambiance will help too (there's also a great, albeit cold, soaking spot adjacent to the "dining room")...

And the next day we'll really have a ball mountain biking one this single track

Next up, some pictures from a music festival, which I would say is ingrained in the DNA of these awesome machines.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

SCM · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:16 pm Post subject:

Here are some photos of the Red Ants Pants music festival. Merle Haggard and a few other well known folks graced us with their presence for three days in a gorgeous spot. Turns out the lesser known acts who felt the crowd was more gracious than themselves were the REAL attraction.

Those of us who are "MIDDLE" aged maybe slept too well in the cocoon that is the Westy and may have missed some good times. Maybe it was the beer. Either way, next year I'll know to spend way more time in the lot.

Well, I wasn't driving anywhere all weekend so I had plenty of time to get "artistic" with our new camera. Here's Corb Lund...

And here's why you go a to show up here. Majestic if you ask me

Because he's my new absolute favorite songwriter of all time (ahead of Hunter/Garcia, Prine, and Dylan - yeah THAT TALENTED), a poor photo of Todd Snyder,

OK, time for bed. The next posts will show some great wild camping spots.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

tarandusVDub · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:18 pm Post subject:

Word!
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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

SCM · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:47 pm Post subject:

Well then, maybe some more concert photos

I'm stoked with how cool this picture turned out. Another of Corb

And to keep it on topic. This was parked just outside the backstage fence/rope

the Wailin' Jennies were fantastic and seemed so at home on the windy prairie

And in case you think you think this thread will be all about a music show out in some dude's hay field - think twice

But before we leave the show, you may also want to check out Drew Landry, as unPC as they come but just as soulful too

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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

tarandusVDub · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 8:58 pm Post subject:

Great thread! Makes me itchy for the ice to go away and the campers to come out!

I'll throw one in from RAP Festival 2012. Emmy Lou and Corb!

A couple of vans from the Flathead nearby.

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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
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Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

SCM · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:09 pm Post subject:

Those of you from 'round here know that this spot isn't wild at all. We're all very fortunate to think of this spot as "the old standby".

Gratuitous show-off-the-toys photo

Because it is about the vans, after all

And one of the reasons we come up here

And one of the reasons you DON'T always go up there. Large dogs have been bucked of the mountain by these guys.

Cute though, aren't they?

OK, now I really do have to go for a bit. Those of you in SWMT that might be interested in a trip next summer, pull out your Gazateers and look to the mtns south of Butte. Hone in on Fish Creek, Highland, and Limekiln Roads. Pictures to follow.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

SCM · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:13 pm Post subject:

tarandusVDub · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:17 pm Post subject:

Absolutely! Merle was hard to miss this year but we had scheduling conflicts. And, we must have a spring campout as soon as we can, even if its Hyalite or something. Must camp with more westys!!
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1990 Syncro 16" DoppleKabine 2.1 DJ 112i
________________________
Sold: 1972 Bay Campmobile; 1984 Westy, base model, 2WD.

TopBud · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:33 pm Post subject:

I bought my lady red ant pants a few years ago. Loves them.
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86 bostig SYNCRO
66 convertible Karmann Ghia

SCM · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 8:58 pm Post subject:

So, just south of Butte, MT is a lightly used mountain range called the Highlands. I've been doing a bit of work over that way and thought it might be a cool spot to explore. I think I was right.

We drove up Fish Creek to a spot called Limekiln Hill. Red Mtn is just off to the right of the photo.

Passed by this massive tree on the way there. It's surprising to see something this old considering how much timber was cut to support mining in the early days.

Better shot for scale. Wifey is about 5' 2"

Before setting up camp we played around with some mild hill climbing/descending. Camp spot is just inside the trees to the left in the gbackground.

Then we found a sweet camp site just inside the trees with great views all over the place. You could easily fit 4 vans there and probably more. I THINK one could figure out an awesome mtn bike ride from this spot, down to the Beaver Pond/Toll Canyon trail network.

There are some hazards to watch for though.

We drove out Limekiln Road at the end of the trip. I doubt my 2wd could climb UP that road and driving down was somewhat hair raising (so no photos). You Syncro drivers might like it as long as you're not nervous with exposure. A bit of a stair-step ledge filled road, super narrow, and on the side of steep hill. I was worried about rolling off the road but didn't mention that until we had made it down.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

SCM · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:06 pm Post subject:

Finally, after wanting to go for years and years, we were able to pull together a long weekend at Cliff and Wade Lakes. It's surreal. You drive through this dry, sage, and rattlesnake infested high prairie then the earth falls away and conceals two emerald green lakes. It looks like you arrived in the Caribbean.

I think the van looks so cool with a boat on top.

The best campsite is at the far end of the upper loop near Wade Lake. You have your own cove just down the hill to play in and not much traffic or noise from other campers. We usually try to avoid developed campgrounds but were pleasantly surprised by this one.

That's all I got. Hope you enjoyed.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

joetiger · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:26 pm Post subject:

pnwkayaker · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 9:28 pm Post subject:

Great posts, thanks! I also love the picture of the canoe on top of the Westy, hopefully this summer I'll be able to do the same.
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87 Syncro Westy EJ25 ("Tardis")

Seattle Meetup at Marymoor (link)
A collection of Simple Useful Mods (SUM) (link)

Blueconundrum · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 10:13 pm Post subject:

Noooooo!!! You can't let everyone know how awesome Bozeman is, or else everyone is going to want to move here. Wait, having a ton of Vanagon owners out here would actually be pretty awesome.

I'm in for any meetups/campouts!
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1988 Vanagon Syncro EJ22

SCM · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:25 am Post subject:

luVWagn · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 11:49 am Post subject:

So fantastic, so majestic, Montana seems to marry the best bits of prairie and highland and rivers and lakes all together in one place!
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'91 Syncro 16 Reimo Hightop Conversion, eTDI

kalispell365 · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 1:29 pm Post subject:

Jake de Villiers · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 1:44 pm Post subject:

JCTahoe · Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 2:08 pm Post subject:

I wish I had my Westy all of the years I lived in Bozeman!
But my old Scout did a good job getting me out into Big Sky country.....
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84 Westy - Jean Claude Damn Van

VW's from my past:
72 Bay
79 Campmobile
81 Vanagon


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