2019 Quick Trips

[mikemtnbike]

So far this year, all my camping has been and is planned to be for 1-3 nights- not really trip report-able, but also what I think many of us here end up doing IRL. I decided I'm going to post about these quick trips in a short format. The "rules" I'm setting for myself are no more than one photo (which must include my van) and as few words as possible unless something unusual or mechanical happens. So, here's the first run...if others want to post similar, please do!

#1: Petersburg Campground Augusta GA. Beach cove with all three sites. 3 nights, 4 days, mountain biked every day. Perfect!

#2: Yellow Gap Road, Pisgah District, Pisgah Natioinal Forest. 2 nights. Broke mountain bike frame first day . Peaceful, solo.

#3: Start of Pisgah Mountain Bike Adventure Race. 1 night, volunteering. Great time with all my little friends.

#4: Camp Grier, Old Fort NC, for Pisgah Enduro MTB event. 2 nights. All the summer camp amenities (swimming pool with mountain views!), creekside, private- one of my favorite places to camp anywhere.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[Jeffrey Lee]

Great idea!

Epic road trips are ... well, epic.

But there's a lot to be said for these shorter, more frequent trips closer to home: more flexibility, usually no reservations/commitment required, less driving=more loafing, and they're great for 'shakedown cruises' after major mechanical repairs/upgrades.

And the Westy makes it so easy to be impulsive. An unplanned weekend jaunt often requires little more than chucking in some clothes, stowing a bagful of groceries, and picking up a couple of cold six-packs on the way out of town. Oh, and some cheese. Always cheese.

In fact, maybe we should start a new companion thread: "Short drive, did you get out? < 100 miles."
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[vegpedlr]

Fantastic!

Epics are great, but the short trip reports can give much appreciated travel tips Nd inspiration.

My summer will be similar. No epics, but a few trips to the Sierras and OR Cascades for MTB. Some day I’d like to check out the trails in NC.

I love the Westy stories that start with knocking off work early, on the road with minimal plans that turn into great trips.
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[mikemtnbike]

6/23-6/25 two nights Damascus VA Beartree Recreation Area. Supposed to be doing Iron Mountain 100k mtb event but it was canceled oh well go camping with wife and dogs instead, great time. 3 hikes and a 6 hour mtb ride great food. Going to break my own “rule” and here’s a couple pics.

Night views.

Very tired/happy dogs on way home. Yes I know need more secure cargo lashing.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[Abscate]

We can hit the Berkshires, Catskills, and Adirondacks all within an hour.

One of favourites is Petersburg pass in August during the Palaides meteor shower. No city lights, gorgeous stars.

And cheese is mandatory.
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[shagginwagon83]

I've heard of Damascus! I once did like 15 miles from Chilhowie-ish area and traveled west into Damascus once. It was very nice.

Paint job look great Mike!
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[mikemtnbike]

7/5-7/7/19 Cove Creek group campsite, Pisgah National Forest. Couldn't get the 5th off work or I could've headed down July 3rd, plan better next year. 2 great mountain bike rides, good times with friends old and new. Best part of many awesome things about this camp- dogs off leash entire time, what a luxury.

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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[Steve M.]

A day in the woods is a day in the woods...they all count!
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[Silverghost500]

Spent the night on the property up in North Georgia planning on working my way up to the Smokies over a few days. Tried a different spot on the property this time shown in the pic. It was 89 degrees when I arrived. Got everything set up, air conditioner/generator setup and running. Walked around the property and came back in to cool off.

While I'm cooling off I hear "plink, plink, plink" and I'm looking around trying to figure out what it is. It's rain. It had been sunny all day up until that moment. All of a sudden a storm settled over the property and sat there for two hours. No campfire, no hiking. Rivers of water flowing through the meadow. The plus side to it was that when the storm finally went away the number of fireflies out was amazing! I don't think I've seen that many fireflies in one spot since I was a kid.

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[mikemtnbike]

My wife and I have a goal of buying some property a half-hour or so north of us, building a tiny house to airbnb on it, and having a separate area for quick getaways in the van. Your posts are very motivating towards this goal.

Also, THANK YOU for adding to this thread. I know I started it, but it's intended to be open for anyone else who takes a quick trip they want to share.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[bjrogers86auto]

Fathers Day weekend has been a regular for us for the last 10 years or so. My better half started going to visit a close friend who moved away that weekend so now it's me and my kids. Two nights, 90 minutes away, on the ocean. Perfect. Trust me, the ocean is 200' away.

Brian
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[mikemtnbike]

Price Lake campground off the Blue Ridge Parkway 2 nights. Perfect weather, lots of paddling and hiking, left bikes at home. The parkway is made for these vans, cruising panoramas and 22mpg. Completely unplanned two of my best friends and their kids camping there too, good times.

I promise, there’s a van in there somewhere.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[mikemtnbike]

2 nights at Mile High Campground off the Blue Ridge Parkway, last minute after mechanical fears held us back from a planned beach camping trip. Great campground with most sites having amazing views. Ours -as a last minute thing- was view free but private and nice. 4 awesome hikes in the Appalachian high country.

If you look closely that’s our van as viewed from Waterrock Knob.

View from the campground.

Happy dog. I’m on the phone with my mom in the background, happy birthday!
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[mikemtnbike]

Realized middle of last week that I had today off so did a quick overnighter. This is at the end of 5 miles of gravel road With lots of hiking and biking immediately nearby. I can honestly say I was the only person in a square mile. This is a rarity in the east with such easy car access. Fantastic!

Camping spot, there’s a fire ring and tent spaces in the woods down the hill.

One of two big waterfalls on the hike, I’m still recovering from an injury and can’t bike right now, plus one of my dogs is pretty old and it’s a delight to hike with him still.

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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[bobhill8]

I am a 2-3 hour van ride from the White Mtns in NH and that's been the perfect distance for many van trips this summer. The trips have been with my son, dog or solo and often the camping has been free - there are a few spots up there, but not many. This is along Zealand Rd off Rte 302. Not camping, just a good photo op. BTW the foliage this year has been phenomenal.

[dabaron]

[jimf909]

[shadetreemech]

One from the Desert on the Left Coast: Joshua True - Indian Cove - 101 miles from the house. My Birthday last November. Got reservations for the same spot, same days this year.

Dan
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'84 GL 1.9
'01 Volvo V70 T5
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[Brownj]

Westies @ Watkins Glen, NY September 6-7-8. Great time, albeit a bit loud!

[Vanagon Nut]

111 KM's from my place to Birch Bay WA for pumpkin carving and bus gathering. Spent 4 nights there. No van issues. Rainy, not too cold, a spec of sun showed up, as hinted at in photo. About 15 buses were there?

Neil.

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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
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1988 Westy DIY 50º ABA

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