A wonderful report!  Glad you made it home safely.  I enjoyed reading your
occasional dispatches during your trip as well.  Now I'll be carefully
studying your equipment inventory to see how I can improve the
"camp-a-bility" of our 85 Westy Weekender.

Dave in KC
85 Westy
http://members.fortunecity.com/davebaker1

----- Original Message -----
From: PSavage <psavage@SABER.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 12:35 PM
Subject: Back From Mexico!

> Saludos Listees!
> After four  months & 9,000 miles in my '85 Westy
> I am safely back in northern CA from mainland Mexico.
> Que Milagro!
>
> NO serious trouble, mechanical or otherwise.
> Ni Modo!
> (A tailpipe went south, after slamming over an unmarked "tope,"
> but was quickly replaced by a ten year old welder for five bucks.
> Ditto my A/C fan, which screeches unmercifiully now.)
>
> Milgracias!-- to all who contributed to the success of this,
> my second successful  roundtrip SOB in this beloved Westy.
> Your advice, suggestions, humor & goodwill proved invaluable.
>
> Nuts & Bolts:   My van, tho in lovely shape, inside & out, when
> bought a year ago last fall from her single PO, now has 225,000
> original miles.  The engine was rebuilt by the PO at 175,000 miles.
> In the past year I've have spent nearly $5,000 on maintenance.
> Prevention is the name of the game.
>
> Spares:  Fan belts, lenses & tail light assemblies, hose clamps, fuses,
> a case of Castrol 20/50, 1 gallon Autobahn coolant, 3 Mahl oil
> filters etc.  Heavy duty tow straps & jumper cables; emergenty flares.
> A mounted fire extinguisher.  A few very basic tools & lots of duct tape.
>
> Tires:  Kirkland light truck all weather from Costco, still have
> plenty of tread with 30,000 miles on them.  I like these tire!
> Tires inflated 45 front, 50 rear.
> Two round trips to Mexico--& not a single flat.
>
> A spare ECU is mounted alongside the original, for a quick
> changeover, if needed.  I considered carrying a spare fuel pump,
> & even a water pump, but, lacked the funds.
> Happily, the Bentley never saw light of day!
>
> Gear:  Simplicity/ Low Tech is my approach.
> My Wolfsburg is the "weekend" model & suits my travel style.
> I much prefer to carry my little propane stove in a zippered bag.
> A pair of 1 gal propane tanks fit nicely under the jump seat.
> This allows me to set up my kitchen anywhere I like...
> My sturdy pair of folding nylon ice chests, small & large, are preferred
> to a quirky propane fridge or even a rigid chest.  Much of the time,
> I enjoy meals in little cafes & taco stands, cheaper than cooking.
>
> I am powered by an aux house battery & a small solar panel which
> I use in a variety of ways.  A Radio Shack charger keeps my
> numerous AA batts topped off to power flashlights & nifty clip-on
> book lite for reading under the covers.  I carry a power inverter
> for my Canon digicam batt charger & coffee grinder.
> All of my "kitchen" fits nicely into a large, heavy vinyl plumber's bag
> from Travel Smith.
>
> I don't like clutter.
> Everything I need for a winter in Mexico fits easily under seats or in
> a variety of nylon duffle bags behind the fold-down seat.
> Four bungee cords secure my two captain's chairs to the luggage rack.
> Seeing my van, fully loaded for a winter's Mexican travel, you wouldn't
> suspect I was going anywhere--which is just the way I like it.
> A fleece blanket, same color as the interior, camoflages luggage stashed
> behind the fold-down seat.
>
> Indespensible:  Two large, folding, silver quilted sun shades--easily
> positioned to block sun, are also wonderful for darkening the canvas
> in the pop top when sleeping near bright light.  On chilly evenings, I
> use the quilted shades to keep the upper berth warmer.
> Security:  One large plastic police whistle & some pepper spray--
> comforting to have on hand, but I've never needed to use them.
>
> Luggable Loo:  At under $20, this discreet porta-potty, a 5 gal sheetrock
> bucket with comfortable seat/lid, is my MOST beloved item of gear!
> Dubbed it my "huggable loo"--for women especially, this is the #1 piece
> of  Westy travel gear; pack a couple bottles of the environmentally
> friendly blue liquid from Wallmart to keep it smelling fresh.
>
> Thunbs up! on the solar powered Nicro vent, I mounted in the sky light.
> Great when it's raining, or when beach camping  when salt mist is heavy
> while sleeping at nite. Helps keep the van interior cool, much appreciated
> by Stella, my little Pug.
>
> Camping in tropics/beaches:  I replaced my screens with the
> necessary "no-see-em" mesh, available at outdoor equipment stores.
> I also attached a length of the same material to the sliding door curtain;
> Cut it long enough so it hangs down over the threshold
> at least six inches--otherwise a breeze will blow it open continually.
>
> Costs:  I spend $800 per month traveling in Mexico.
> This amount covers gas, toll road fees, food, restaurant meals
> (including the occassional splurge), camping fees, which run from a low
> of $5 to a high of $15 per nite, beer & liquor, trinkets & gifts, email,
> etc.
> I could manage on less, if need be, & still do nicely.
> I speak good Spanish, which is a factor.
>
> I met LOTS of Volks traveling in VW vans  & Westys--both airheads
> & waterboxers.  Many Canadians, others from Oregon, CA, Texas,
> New Mexico. I met several other women traveling alone, as well--
> including a 76 year old retired hooker from Las Vegas!
> Just do it.
>
> Great to be back!
> Phaedra