It's been (a bit) warmer out here than is usual for this time of year, tho
that could change within any given few days. Seems that most people go to
Death Valley in the spring to see the flowers if/when they come up, but it
you may be a little early for that- shouldn't be too hard to get some
definitive info on it tho. As far as the 2WD / 4WD- you can get around the
area and to most of the touristy spots with no problem in a car. I would
think a Westy would do better than most family cars off the beaten path, of
course, but whether you can do any given 'off-road' trek or not is almost a
case-by-case decision anywhere in the desert, particularly if there's been
any rain recently.
Keep in mind that certain resources are very limited out there, and they can
be expensive- I can't imagine there's a ready source of Vanagon parts
nearby, for instance (maybe at that guy's boneyard in Pahrump). You should
take anything you might need with you, if that doesn't go without saying.
Make sure your brakes are in top shape.
Death Valley is definitely worth seeing, at least once. : )

Have a good trip,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "bueses" <bueses@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 2:25 PM
Subject: Death Valley Camping/Sightseeing in a 2wd westy?

>I am thinking of going w/ the significant other to Death Valley, CA for her
> 50th B-Day. Anybody got any Vanagon related tips for the trip in the
> middle
> of February? Can I go most places w/o 4wd?
>
> I know, I know, that I am way to thoughtful in planning such a trip for
> her
> Big 50, but what the heck, she doesn't want a big party, no cruise to BFE,
> no trip to Cancun, etc. for that girl-she wants to go camping in the
> Westy!
>
> Tom-never been to Death Valley, Is it worth seeing?