Road Trip-Utah to Newfoundland and Back Over Lake Superior

[Syncro Jael]

Last month we completed our summer Vanagon road trip. I posted this on Facebook and it was mentioned that posting it here would be of some interest. St. Johns Newfoundland was the goal.

I was surprised at how many vanagon owners live in the North East. I had the pleasure to meet a few.

No issues with the van at all. The EJ25 enjoyed the elevation change from home and the performance was very noticeable at sea level. We really loved the NAHT. Yes, it has transformed our van into a "higher" profile vehicle, but the wind did not change the driving conditions much from a lifted Syncro Westfalia anyway. The added inside storage and volume much outweigh any detrimental wind issues. Fuel mileage was about the same. 9,206 miles in 22 days was the final result. We had a few 800-900 mile days across the plains and the North East "tree" states. Maine was fabulous along with all the Great Lakes bordering States and Provinces. I wished we had more time, like months, to enjoy this beautiful part of the world.

It was very difficult to condense 22 days into 15 minutes. So much has been left out. Here are some of the highlights. Enjoy.



Link

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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[E1]

Very cool and will watch the video when having some time.

We love it there. Looks like Low Point lighthouse near Sydney, NS? That's one of our "Big Print" images scanned from 4x5-inch film to 4x5 feet.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[Cobra88]

Superb Video

Superb Scenery too
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84 (85) model year Caravelle GL 1.9 DG Auto WBX Bronze Beige Metallic w Steel Sunroof

[Steve M.]

Most excellent! Thanks for bring us along.
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This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[dobryan]

Thanks Ron!
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794

[E1]

Let me tell you, I am one picky SoB when it comes to imagery -- and I have/had to be to build a business showing pretty places. It's rare, especially these days, that I am impressed with most of what I see in these digital times.

But you nailed this, and I applaud you. The Missus and I really enjoyed watching this, and it's a helluva effort in particularly considering you averaged, what, 400+ miles a day?

I recognize by name every lighthouse you showed, not to mention Lunenberg, St. John, and many others. The Split Rock footage is awesome, hope you stopped to see Dhaavers. There's few people as fine on this entire forum.

Very well done. Makes our hearts "homesick" for Newfies and their home, the finest culture of people we've ever met as a whole. We wept a little getting on the Air Canada plane to come back to Colorado, softened only by my then-flight attendant better half getting me into the cockpit for the entire flight back from St. John to Logan (Boston) -- the only time I did over her 15 years of flying. Ten months before 9-11...

Nova Scotia's great, too, a cross between Maine and Newfoundland. The latter is more a time machine and preferable, but both are great.

After 28 days and 6,800 miles' driving, seeing there and southern Labrador, we almost stayed. Wanna go back for May icebergs sometime.

Thank You.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[sanchius]

Wow, spectacular. So much water, so much beauty. I loved the 5:20 drone pass.

And that cute pup is such a sensible size for road tripping.

Great job on putting this together and thanks for sharing your adventure with us.
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The Syncro years (2005-16) - The 2WD years (2017-23) - Westy & WBX rebuild spreadsheet - Sanchius & Tuna: The Video
Your gold star membership keeps this awesome list going!

[E1]

Tuna not shrinkable.

You must expand van, or view with fisheye lens.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[thatbaldwinlife]

Nice job! We have been considering converting to a high top sometime soon. Just for the rain and stealth camping situations.

nate
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1987 Westy
Insta: @Thatbaldwinlife
Vanagon Adventure and DIY videos:
That Baldwin Life YouTube Channel

[Gruppe B]

Love the video, I want to hit the road again just watching it.

Great meeting you driving thru Shuniah and thanks again for showing me your incredible van with the beautiful NAHT install.

Cheers,
Gruppe B

[Syncro Jael]

[J Charlton]

Great video Ron. I'm glad that you enjoyed your time "on the rock" - ie in Newfoundland. We travelled there 2 years ago, spent 2 weeks, wished that we had another 2 weeks and want to go back. For anyone planning to go to Newf - some suggestions - 1. don't rush it - the island is huge and varied with great places to be east side, north side and west side 2. Icebergs and whales - the summers vary, but generally mid summer is good for both. A hot summer has more icebergs breaking off and floating down towards eg Twillingate. 3. We found that we had incredible whale watching - actually encounters - while out cod fishing (jigging) with local fishermen. 4. Every small town has a history - and a small local fish store - mostly only the locals know of it - find it and you'll find a variety of fresh fish - enjoy it.
When we were there the weather was mainly awful -and we loved the Rock even more. We knew some people there and had the opportunity of a genuine shed party - I even got "screeched in"
This thread reminds me of another from the past
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Glad that the hightop worked out for you and will continue to do so
JC
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NAHT hightop availability May 18 2023 -
Bend Oregon - for Oregon, California- (7 tot , 3 available), Kennewick Wa (6 tot, 1 available), Small Car Performance Fife Wa. (7 tot 4 avail ), Fairbanks Alaska (1 tot 0 avail)
Future availability TBD : Springfield Mass. Staunton Va, Florida, Colorado, Grand Junction Co., SLC probably late 2024

[Syncro Jael]

[michaelbteam]

WOW, Thanks for sharing this!

[jacrider]

Ron: Great video! You managed to cover some beautiful places in a short period. Inspiration to go back!

I could see some high res stills in the video. What camera are you using? Much post production required? You had great vibrance and colour. Good looking skies in your shots.

Thanks.
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1987 Syncro Westy, Bostig conversion

[Syncro Jael]

[E1]

Presume you're using a calibrated monitor and saved in sRGB, as color was very consistent (on my phone).

Lightroom is great. Photoshop was never designed for digital captures and degrades everything except scanned film.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[82westyrabbit]

Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the video. It sparked some great memories as I have been to most of the places in the video. I have enjoyed Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador. Although not in my van. John

[SCM]

As I sit in my hotel room in Bowman ND, lamenting my failure to grab something to read before this work trip, I am SO glad to have stumbled your video John. Thanks!
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

[dhaavers]

Beautiful video as usual, Ron! As others have noted, full points for consistently high production values...
Looks like a great trip. This one has moved to the top of my list!

I was excited to see my corner of the world show up on your return route... (I'm just 5 miles inland
from the Silver Creek Tunnel - 12:45 in the vid) but unfortunately I missed my chance to meet you
for breakfast/coffee/lunch/pie/dinner/beer on your way through. I still owe you for the great
Utah pro tips for our trip last year! Maybe next time...???

Thanks for a great start to the day...I don't even mind it made me late for work!

- Dave

PS: Agawa Rocks, so cool...