Glad to know everything went right!!

Javier Zavala
84 German Westy
01 Prospector Hovercraft
----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Baker <DBAKER5@KC.RR.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 6:11 PM
Subject: Re: Back From Mexico!

> 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
>