East Coast or West Coast for August 2021 |
East Coast |
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34% |
[ 10 ] |
West Coast |
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55% |
[ 16 ] |
Great Lakes again |
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10% |
[ 3 ] |
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Total Votes : 29 |
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Rorke Samba Member
Joined: August 04, 2016 Posts: 255 Location: Traverse City, MI
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:08 am Post subject: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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If you were starting in the middle of the country...on a once in a lifetime, 3 week road trip with your kid and ZERO plans...
......would you Go West or Head East?
Suggestions are appreciated. My concerns are crowds/no campsites, fires, and heat.
Bus is functional. Old subie still kicking. Trans is good to go. Tools and spares are above average. No recovery gear aboard. We have a fridge and heater.
Thanks |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2797 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:18 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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My partner and I like to take van-less vacations every now and then- outdoor destinations with a little bit of urban mixed in, staying in nice places, spending the money we work so hard to earn.
After not being able to go to Scotland last year and that being off the table again this year, we were planning on going to Northern CA in October. Can't take an earlier trip because I missed a bunch of time from work earlier this year d/t medical issues. Sadly, my anxiety and guilt kicked in. I could not justify traveling to a region so greatly impacted by climate change, drought, wildfires, all the interconnected things. Furthermore, after Scotland (very understandably and correctly) falling through I was not willing to take another trip with enhanced odds of our enjoyment being thwarted.
So we're going to NYC and Maine. Sure, things could obviously still stop this from happening, but it seemed like the least risky option and I needed what peace of mind I could get.
Just sharing my thought process, your decisions are yours to make. _________________ 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 |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16505 Location: Brookeville, MD
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32630 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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It seems to be hot everywhere.
Michigan? A lot of pretty areas East of you along the Great Lakes into Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
I am partial to Vermonts NorthEast Kingdom and New Hampshires White Mountains.
I avoid the heavy tourist areas like Lake Champaign and most of Southern Vermont.
Now if you are sick of people, head West! Again avoiding the heavy tourist areas there is a lot to see and open space. It is amazing how much empty land is out there before you hit the Rockies.
Denver Sucks as do many popular cities.
Stay off the Interstates, experience the Nation on US, State, County and local roads. I find them relaxing yet sad as you realize how rural America has withered and died.
Empty stores, abandoned gas station and dead downtowns.
The big impressive sights get the crowds. You couldn't pay me enough to go to Yosemite any more!
Seek the State Parks, BLM or the "lesser" National forests.
Dave _________________ Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6247 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:37 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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I would go west; Glacier, Tetons, Yellowstone, Arches. Beautiful places that need to be seen. Yellowstone is very commercial but I've never seen it. Everyone should go once. _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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mikemtnbike Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2015 Posts: 2797 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:42 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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PDXWesty wrote: |
I would go west; Glacier, Tetons, Yellowstone, Arches. Beautiful places that need to be seen. Yellowstone is very commercial but I've never seen it. Everyone should go once. |
I do agree with this. If I had not been to those places already, my van would be pointed west in your situation. For sure. And an advantage to travelling by van vs. the kind of trip my wife and I are taking- fire drought pestilence meteors push you off your plans, you can just go someplace else. _________________ 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 |
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Captain Pike Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2003 Posts: 3343 Location: Talos IV, Piedmont Arizona
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 9:51 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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Follow as best you can Lewis and Clark Trail to the sea. _________________ LEARN TO SELF RESCUE
59 Panel bus, 1966 Single cab. 73' 181. 73 Westy. 91' H6 Vanagon 3.3L.
.....................All Current....................... |
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Igeo Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2018 Posts: 888 Location: Oakland, CA
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16505 Location: Brookeville, MD
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16881 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:01 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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west is on fire. i'd go east _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3119 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:07 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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Here's a view of the Bridger Mountains from my office parking lot taken a couple minutes ago. They're 4 miles away. I can usually see them VERY clearly from over 30 miles away. It's hard to tell from the photo but in real life there's an obvious haze of smoke between me and those houses on the other side of the field.
The smoke is largely from forest fires in CA and OR. Smoke from the fires in MT and ID seems to stay a bit farther south but not always. My nostrils burn a little when I go biking and I wake up with a scratchy throat and crusty eyelids most mornings. It's been like this since late June and will probably get worse until fall rains or an early snow. Late Sept. early Oct. can actually be a nice time to visit - listen to the elk bugling in Yellowstone.
We're under drought and fire restrictions which, in part, means no campfires or charcoal grilling ANYWHERE in southwest MT (not in developed campsites, primitive campsites, or my backyard).
My opinions about Yellowstone/Glacier and other nearby destinations are tainted by my memories of "the good 'ol days" so I'll spare you those
Just know that tourism EXPLODED around here as the coasts went on lockdown in 2020 and it has not abated at all. _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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brickster Samba Member
Joined: January 05, 2004 Posts: 512 Location: CO, USA
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:14 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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Just in case you weren't aware, you can see fire/smoke activity here. It's updated every day:
https://fire.airnow.gov/
As far as crowds and campsite availability, that's harder to predict. It's tough all over! It was already on the uptick before the shutdown, and it has increased since then. I'd say that research would be necessary in order to determine that aspect.
What kinds of activities are you interested in doing at your destination? Have you seen either area before?
And, perhaps most importantly, what does your kid want to get out of the trip? If it were me, that would guide my decision. |
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nmerrill Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2014 Posts: 388 Location: Vermont
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:18 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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Recent reports from Maine are = Sh** show busy. Sure, this is likely "the usual places" and the state is large. But, based on what I see in VT, Maine coast must be out of control.
So, deal with the people, or deal with the bugs, your choice!
Also, there are a shocking number of Sprinters (et. al.) running around VT. I swear I see at least one every time I leave the house.
Maine an NH are similarly swamped... |
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SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3119 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:30 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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nmerrill wrote: |
shocking number of Sprinters |
LOL, it's virtually a Sprinter parade in Moab and Yellowstone, even downtown Bozeman! Not knocking a different platform but when did everyone decide a car and tent weren't enough?*
* I'll admit that my wife decided that after our first camping trip in the Westy _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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bobbyblack Samba Member
Joined: May 21, 2015 Posts: 4351 Location: United States, Iowa
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:41 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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Personal reports might help... Anyone happen to be up in the Lake Superior area? I'd like to go somewhere I can still breath.. My fav has been Grand Marais, MN.
Maybe DHaavers can shed some light on conditions up there?
I'm kind of lucky, as to actually be about as close as can be to "starting from the middle"
-bobby _________________ '87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6833 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 11:51 am Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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West to Little Bighorn National Monument and Yellowstone.
Along the way as you get within a hundred miles of Ellsworth AFB you might see low flying B-1 Bombers out of training missions
Then you get to Little Big Horn National Monument by whichever route you take from the east.
They did this monument to stupidity well. From the top of the hill down into the Indian camp and back out again as they tried to escape there is a tombstone where every soldier and Indian fell.
It is worth seeing.
(Okay I had to edit this for senility.)
From there head southwest into Wyoming to get to Cody, Wyoming and take Hwy 120 north to Hwy 296 the "Chief Joseph Scenic Byway"
It is a beautiful way into Yellowstone coming though the Lamar Valley.
Out along that way you have the Dakoata "BadLands" and many other things to see. If you can get up to Glacier park that would be good too. _________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.
Last edited by Steve M. on Tue Jul 27, 2021 3:30 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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fxr Samba Member
Joined: December 07, 2014 Posts: 2325 Location: Bay area CA
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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Glacier is almost impossible to get into. New for this year:
https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/gtsrticketedentry.htm
Tetons, Yellowstone etc will be heaving with people in August. Long hot lines for everything, ghastly traffic, 'bison jams' all day long around the roads. Not a good time to visit.
From the centre in August I'd head east, away from the fires. _________________ Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300 |
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SCM Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2011 Posts: 3119 Location: Bozeman MT
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 12:21 pm Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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Steve M. wrote: |
It is a beautiful way into Yellowstone coming though the Lamar Valley. |
I think you mean Hayden Valley. The Lamar is accessed from the Northeast Entrance (Cooke City / Silver Gate). That does sound like a great itinerary though. I haven't seen it yet, but the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody is supposed to be pretty darn cool. https://centerofthewest.org/ _________________ '91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine |
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childofthewind Samba Member
Joined: October 19, 2010 Posts: 763 Location: Eastern Sierra
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:36 pm Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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Definitely go west. Less people, more wide open spaces, lots of BLM land, big mountains. Come visit the High Sierra with the most perfect creeks & backcountry lakes to fish. And the wildflowers!
There's definitely some fires out here but in the Eastern Sierra especially up high where I am, there is no smoke from them. _________________ 1987.5 wolfsburg hardtop; 2.1
“As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch for things remote." - Melville |
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Steve M. Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013 Posts: 6833 Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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Posted: Tue Jul 27, 2021 3:11 pm Post subject: Re: Go West or Head East for August '21 |
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SCM wrote: |
Steve M. wrote: |
It is a beautiful way into Yellowstone coming though the Lamar Valley. |
I think you mean Hayden Valley. The Lamar is accessed from the Northeast Entrance (Cooke City / Silver Gate). That does sound like a great itinerary though. I haven't seen it yet, but the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody is supposed to be pretty darn cool. https://centerofthewest.org/ |
Dammit, now I have to go look!
i did and you are right...%$#% senility _________________ This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.
There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them. |
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