I didn't live in a Westy, but I spent 18 months traveling in my Ford Van and
can give some good tips.

Cleaning dishes:  Boil water and put into a deep dish plastic tray with a
small drop of soap.  Wash the dishes, dry and put away without rinsing.

Pots and Pans:  Have 2 pots (1 for boiling water), and a fry pan. 1 or 2
plates extra.  Good bowls.  2 sets of silver No more.

If you have other than a propane fridge:  give it up.

Paying for camping:  Don't do that!!  When transiting stay at Safeway and
Wal-Mart National Park.  Master the art of Guerilla camping (free camping on
the sly).  National Forests are good too.

Saving money:  Stop moving

Email:  Libraries are free (usually).

Laptops:  Only if you REALLY need them.  They will drain your batteries
fast.

Solar Cell:  Good idea for a 5-10W.

Propane:  Gods Gas.

Awning:  EXCELLENT

Folding lawn chair:  Needed

Outdoor lights:  Use candles, less bugs.  Sleep with the sun.

Showers:  Natl parks, community pools.

Bicycles:  Good if you will be visiting cities.

Valuables:  Don't take any with you or you will live in fear of losing
(stolen) them.

Fishing gear:  Light tackle.

Cash:  Travelers checks in emergency stash, ATM otherwise.

Dry goods:  Lots of in bulk.  Oat meal is amazingly good.

Dry milk:  Mix with a small amount of water to make a thin paste then add
the rest.

Flashlight:  get an LED one.

What to do with your time:  Allow lots of free time to think.

Mixing with locals:  Do.

Washing clothes:  Keep a 5 gal bucket with a tight lid.  Put clothes in with
soap, drive, rinse, hang up.

Type of clothes:  Fast drying, nice looking, Salvation Army good.

Anything else:  Make sure it has more than one use.  If you don't use it in
2 weeks, pitch it.

Feather Comforter:  Never leave home without it!!

Good luck!

Rob G.

http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/PassportPl/gunter01/

 for a few months while travelling

I'd be interested in hearing  how folks fare on extended traveling trips
in these vehicles.

things like :

Cooking and cleaning dishes with these tiny kitchens ?
   do you use supplemental equipment ?

portable toilets ?

Showers ?  do you use a portable setup or stop someplace that has
showers ?

Cold... do you use some kind of portable heat or just dress warmly ?

Sitting through storms with the top up... ?  the canvas doesnt look
water proof.. ?  is it ?

Tents, how many folks use tents along the side for this stuff ?

any thing related to these issues would be appreciated.

------------------------------

Date:    Thu, 23 May 2002 00:07:45 -0400
From:    "Russell, William" <william.russell@UW-INC.COM>
Subject: Re: living in a westy or weekender for a few months while
travelling

I can tell you that I've sat through a viscous storm on the north shore
of Lake Superior and was nice and dry.  The wind was blowing so hard
that I could barely face into it when I walked to the edge of the water.
The vehicle felt more stable then I used to feel in my father's 1971
Lionel Crank-Up Camper during a storm.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Clay Moore
Sent: May 23, 2002 00:01
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: living in a westy or weekender for a few months while
travelling

I'd be interested in hearing  how folks fare on extended traveling trips
in these vehicles.

things like :

Cooking and cleaning dishes with these tiny kitchens ?
   do you use supplemental equipment ?

portable toilets ?

Showers ?  do you use a portable setup or stop someplace that has
showers ?

Cold... do you use some kind of portable heat or just dress warmly ?

Sitting through storms with the top up... ?  the canvas doesnt look
water proof.. ?  is it ?

Tents, how many folks use tents along the side for this stuff ?

any thing related to these issues would be appreciated.

------------------------------

End of vanagon Digest - 22 May 2002 (#2002-629)
***********************************************