| Author |
Message |
llilibel03
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2008
Posts: 767
Location: Redondo Beach California
|
 Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 4:55 pm Post subject: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
 |
|
Moderator Edit: Thread was created for photos and Park advice. So, post your best Vanagon-In-National-Park photos, stories and tips and keep political comments to yourselves.
************
I've taken it upon myself to start this thread since none like it seems to exist.
We just got back from Joshua Tree National Park. I'm only going to post a couple pics because we're going over the river and through the wood to grandmothers house for Thanksgiving .
Campsite
Old Geology Road
Skull rock (missing jaw)
Found jaw a little further down the trail
Barker Dam
Chola Cactus Garden-
Fabulous sunsets every night-
Happy Thanksgiving!
_________________
87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
MsTaboo
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4087
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2017 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: Official National Parks thread |
|
|
Going, going, gone.
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
Help the fight against Truth Decay.
Defend democracy, support Ukraine.
Last edited by MsTaboo on Sun Nov 26, 2017 1:58 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jeffrey Lee
Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014
Posts: 1488
Location: Wisconsin
|
| Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2017 10:23 pm Post subject: Re: Official National Parks thread |
|
|
This past September, we ended a month-long Westy road trip in Acadia NP, and had the chance to see Dayton Duncan speak. Co-producer (along with Ken Burns) of “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea”, Duncan passionately makes the argument that the inherent birthright of all citizens to visit and partake of these sacred lands and places rivals nearly any other freedom outlined in our Bill of Rights. The parks, he says, are woven into the very fabric of our democracy, yet like any fabric, if not cared for they can be unraveled.
“The National Park idea says it doesn’t matter if your parents came over on the Mayflower or your parents just arrived. Each one of you is the owner of some of the best seafront property this nation has … You own awesome views of stunning mountains and breathtaking canyons. They belong to you. And all that is required in return is that you put it in your will for your children so that they can have it too.”
As Duncan speaks, we reflect on all our own visits to our National Parks, usually in the Westy, and we realize that the parks are perhaps the one truly eternal element in the fleeting impermanence of our lives.
If interested, check out our trip here: http://campwestfalia.com/seaway-trail-nova-scotia-week-4/
_________________
Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Love My Westy
Samba Member
Joined: August 08, 2007
Posts: 1837
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:22 pm Post subject: Re: Official National Parks thread |
|
|
Rocky Mountain National Park
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Alaskaberrys 
Samba Member
Joined: June 19, 2016
Posts: 1001
Location: SE Alaska
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2017 12:02 am Post subject: Re: Official National Parks thread |
|
|
Kayaking in our Glacier Bay National Park. To visit on a cruise ship your paying $25 or so entrance fee, but free* if you drive in. And stop at our place for a beer and we can talk of the importance of having places kept “wild” and “accessible” to all. Two very important aspects of a healthy conservation system and a healthy society.
*free after you get here anyway 
_________________
'91 Westfalia, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2.1L 2wd Auto
'91 T3 Syncro Doka, Escorial Green 1.9L TD AAZ “Gremian” (to provoke, irritate, exasperate, vex...) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
llilibel03
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2008
Posts: 767
Location: Redondo Beach California
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2017 9:01 am Post subject: Re: Official National Parks thread |
|
|
Photos...and advice or stories.
I have a question for anyone who has driven the Old Geology Road in Joshua Tree- is it doable with 2WD.. There was a big sign "4WD ONLY" at the entrance to the road and we drove down it for a few miles (bad washboard sections) but then it went down a fairly steep, sandy grade. Wife and daughter were going, "No Daddy! Don't do it!" The only other car we saw was a Jeep Rubicon.
ps everywhere I looked it seemed a talented landscape designer had proceeded me, leaving delightful compositions everywhere.
Just before the grade-
Saw a lot of hawks-
_________________
87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
jackbombay
Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2007
Posts: 2723
Location: Eastern Idaho
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 26, 2017 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Official National Parks thread |
|
|
I spent a couple months this fall working in eastern Cali, which means BIG mountains and Yosemite!
Glen canyon rec area, cathedral canyon,
Sunrise from the top of Cadillac mountain in Acadia ,
_________________
Gas struts to pop your top easily!
Pop Top strut kits now available for late Bay window Westies 
Samba ad here.
DIY artificial rain gutters (ARGs) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
llilibel03
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2008
Posts: 767
Location: Redondo Beach California
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:38 pm Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
We just got back from 4 days in Pinnacles National Park. The campground was deserted. One or two campers per camp loop at most. It was COLD! First morning I woke up thirsty and could not drink anything because all liquids were frozen solid.
Trails were pretty empty and the drive home on Highway 25 we only passed one car. It was pretty magical. Like California in he 1800's ?
Cold!
Had to heat water every morning to dethaw our toes.
Love this shot my daughter took of lichens
_________________
87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
llilibel03
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2008
Posts: 767
Location: Redondo Beach California
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2017 11:42 pm Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
Forgot to mention- the cold was exacerbated by the campfire ban. Of course it was totally understandable. ON our way up we were passed by what I think was a funeral procession for a fallen firefighter while going through Ventura. Over 100 cars. Prayers go out to the firefighters and residents.
ps It was not a funeral procession as I heard days later of the funeral for the fallen firefighter. My hypothesis now is that other PDs were helping out with evacuations. All the freeway offramp in south Santa Barbara were closed and a Highway Patrol car was posted at each one.
_________________
87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present)
Last edited by llilibel03 on Thu Dec 28, 2017 12:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
danfromsyr
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004
Posts: 15144
Location: Syracuse, NY
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2017 7:05 am Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
Pics from our 2017 NY to Yellowstone to Grand Canyon 6,8oo mile trip..
The cell takes crappy rearview mirror pics while driving.. but you get the idea..
Badlands was a major highlight of the trip (other pics are on point and click camera).
if you haven't been to Badlands, GO... the scenery is so dramatic. incredible sunrises and sunsets.. incredible star filled night skies.. and the changing terrain to drive thru is amazing.
_________________
| Abscate wrote: |
| These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
llilibel03
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2008
Posts: 767
Location: Redondo Beach California
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2017 11:46 am Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
| danfromsyr wrote: |
Pics from our 2017 NY to Yellowstone to Grand Canyon 6,8oo mile trip..
The cell takes crappy rearview mirror pics while driving.. but you get the idea..
Badlands was a major highlight of the trip (other pics are on point and click camera).
if you haven't been to Badlands, GO... the scenery is so dramatic. incredible sunrises and sunsets.. incredible star filled night skies.. and the changing terrain to drive thru is amazing.
[pics] |
That is on my short list. Go up stopping at Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and then Badlands. I think we'd need a minimum of two weeks though...
_________________
87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Yellow Rabbit
Samba Member
Joined: August 31, 2005
Posts: 1146
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2017 11:56 am Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
I agree. The Badlands are excellent.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joetiger
Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 5078
Location: denver
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2017 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
My pics don't do any of these places justice, but here goes....
Yellowstone:
Grand Teton:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison:
Rocky Mountain:
Mesa Verde:
Grand Canyon:
Canyonlands:
Arches:
Glacier:
Capitol Reef:
Bryce:
Zion:
Waterton Lake:
Banff:
Jasper:
Going through these pictures just now...I am dying to get out there!
_________________
Joe T.
'86 NAHT Vanagon GL Syncro/ supercharged ABA 2.0 "Pigpen"
'04 GTI 1.8T
'04 Golf R32
"get metaphysical with it. if it's simply a means to get to and from places, it will let you down. if it becomes your zen, it can't fail you." -dabaron
"Still, it's good to be afield."--VWagabond
Available Now! Vanagon to Louisiana--A Two-Lane Reckoning Through Past and Present
www.josephtrussell.com |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SLIKROC
Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2012
Posts: 22
Location: Salt Lake City
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
Me Tiger, Great photos! Can’t wait to see where you go in the Syncro!
Happy New Year! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
SCM
Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011
Posts: 3115
Location: Bozeman MT
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 10:37 am Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
| llilibel03 wrote: |
That is on my short list. Go up stopping at Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and then Badlands. I think we'd need a minimum of two weeks though... |
That would be best. Another thing to consider is the time of year. There's benefits to making the trip in the spring time, soon after the roads in Yellowstone open (mid-late June?).
- WAY fewer tourists and traffic in Y-stone and far better chances of seeing wildlife.
- The Badlands look absolutely stunning when the grass is green.
The weather may totally suck though.
_________________
'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16503
Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Merian
Samba Member
Joined: January 04, 2014
Posts: 5212
Location: Orygun
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:33 pm Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
“In North America there is a lot that is in public domain, which has its problems, but at least they are problems we are all enfranchised to work on.” - Gary Snyder
_________________
.... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
llilibel03
Samba Member
Joined: February 03, 2008
Posts: 767
Location: Redondo Beach California
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2017 2:49 pm Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
Seeing others photos makes me want to hit the road again even though I was just on the road 10 days ago.
_________________
87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RainierSyncro
Samba Member
Joined: February 26, 2013
Posts: 806
Location: Seattle
|
| Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
I always hit Mt. Rainier at least twice a year to hike. My goal is to day hike every trail in the park. So far I'm about halfway there. Here's a shot of the feuerwehr syncro at Reflection Lake. I dropped off a bicycle here and drove to Box Canyon in the park. I hiked one way to the bike, hopped on and coasted all the way back to the van. The hike was about 6 hours and the bike trip back to the van was under 30 minutes all downhill.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Jake59
Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2007
Posts: 179
Location: Seattle, WA
|
| Posted: Sat Dec 30, 2017 12:19 pm Post subject: Re: Official Vanagons in National Parks Thread |
|
|
Love these photos! This does bring out the best in the Westie experience
_________________
Curent ride: 87 2WD Westy, 2012 Jetta Sportwagon 2.5S
Past Rides: 62 (23 window) Bus, 64 Ghai convertable, 68 single cab, 72 Super Bettle, 78 Bay window Bus, 84 GTI. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
