Hi,

We're not buying one because we have a similar Century stove that
doens't yet need to be replaced.  But we have our eyes on this ...

2 Burner Electronic Ignition Propane Grill Stove
Model No. 9922-750

Other helpful stuff that we carry:

A tortilla press.  We snobbishly insist on corn tortillas, since flour
tortillas have neither fiber nor (much) nutrition and have non-trivial
amounts of fat.  We loathe the leather that's sold in stores as "corn
tortillas".  So we've found a source for (1) masa harina flour, or
even better (2) masa mix.  We have a griddle that rests on either the
Westy stove or our outdoor Coleman stove and plays the role of the
comal.  The resulting corn tortillas are waaaaaay better than anything
from a store.  Though, I'm certain that any self-respecting abuelita
would laugh at my poor gringo attempt at tortillas ...   (and our
Westy stove grill now has peeling chrome :-( )

Closet organizer, for the Westy closet.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_1/602-2338301-0763023?%5Fencoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0006ZP6LC
Natural Soft Canvas 6 Shelf Organizer 
Makes it much easier to reach all the stuff that gets shoved into the
Westy closet.

If we have an electric hook-up,  then our electric heater and our DVD
player.  And our 15-or-so-watt shop lite.  Something comparable to
Harbor Freight 46114-7VGA (if you don't have an electrical hookup,
then see the microColeman lamp lower down.(

On trips into BajaCal, Mexico, satellite radio.

My little table.  Google the exact phrase "Table Mate II".  It's
convenient to put outside between our camp chairs.  And when the wasps
chase us inside, it's convenient for me to eat dinner seated on my
throne (the front passenger seat, rotated 180 to face the living area
of the Westy).  (We stored our Westy-supplied tables for historical
purposes, but find them heavy and inconvenient for actual usage.)

Model No. 3113A722 Micro-Coleman propane lamp.  It provides more than
ample light and doesn't annoy us and our fellow-campers as much do the
normal-size propane lanterns.  And it fits nicely along with our
campstove onto the propane tree that Greg mentioned.

Our 12V bicycle-tire inflator.  Also works on vehicle tires (ask Simon
how he knows!)  $10 from Wal-Mart.

Water connection Y-piece ... so that when we have a water hookup we
can have "city water" for the van and also have an outdoor tap.

Simon's solar panel.  See:  http://www.oddstray.com/solar/

Several and various battery chargers.

GMRS radios (we don't use 'em often, but they're nice to have when the
occasion arises).

Scrabble game.  And, very importantly, one of the official Scrabble
dictionaries to settle the inevitable challenges.

Hats.  Since we live in SoCal, sun-protection hats are not optional.
So we make sure to have hats that "live" in the van.

Electronic "tennis raquet" insect zapper.  Not terribly useful, but
makes a satisfying noise.  Ackshirly, it wos quite useful on our last
trip when a whole canvas-wall-ful of midges had snuck their way in
during the evening.  We paid too much for ours.  Have since seen them
as inexpensive as $2.99 at Harbor Freight.

B&S
'87 Westy 'Esmerelda Blanc'
SoCal

On Wed, 4 Oct 2006 12:48:29 -0700, you wrote:

>A Coleman camping supply outlet store just opened near us.  Verrrry interesting.
>
>  What (besides sleeping/cooking basics, tools, & extreme AAA coverage) do you bring along on camping trips that you find extra helpful for life in a Westy?  I have checked the archives but would appreciate an updated take on this.
>  Thanks,
>  Patricia