Thanks for all the tips guys!
I will be taking a very similar cross country trip here starting May 30th,
i'm driving from PA to Nevada.
I will be using many of these tips!

-Craig
'85GL turned WESTY

On Mon, Apr 13, 2009 at 11:42 PM, Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@mac.com>wrote:

> Joy,
>
> Thanks for all the great insights.
>
> I too am not so sure if believe that all rest areas are death traps.
> But I will have to make those decisions based on what I see at
> individual location.
>
> I was trying leave NY and get to Northern California for a big music
> festival called the High Sierra Music Festival. Its a 4 day camping
> and music fest. I am not going to stress about making thought. I want
> to enjoy the journey and not worry about the destination...  I have
> waited 10 years to make this journey so I want to be about the
> experience of the people, places and the interactions along the way.
>
> As I am not a mechanic, I just tinker with the van and try to fix
> things I know I am capable off so I am trying to be sure everything is
> tuned and replaced way before I leave so I can test it out. Make
> adjustments and have a safe, enjoyable, worry free trip.
>
> I most definitely want to hit the national parks, yea I know it's
> going to be packed but the warm weather is the best time be there.
> Mind you it would have been nicer to be there when it was sweater
> weather but it will have to do. I could postpone the trip till the end
> of July or August but it would be even hotter then.
>
> Did you ever have areas where there was no cell phone or internet
> service?
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Robert
>
>
>
> On Apr 13, 2009, at 9:01 PM, Joy Hecht wrote:
>
>  Some thoughts on Jim's suggestions;
>>
>>
>>> Flying J parking lots. Always felt safe and there's coffee and a
>>> shower waiting in the morning.  Breakfast too if you're lazy.
>>>
>>
>>
>> I'll second that, about most large chain truck stops.  They are very
>> busy
>> and safe.  No charm, and not quiet, but okay places.  It's better to
>> park in
>> front, with the cars, than in the back with the trucks.  The trucks
>> idle
>> their engines all night and you might get asphyxiated.
>>
>>
>>  We spent
>>> a couple nights in highway rest areas. Highway rest areas are NOT a
>>> safe place to sleep. See the website dedicated to late Type2
>>> listmember Kristin Laurite <http://www.kristinlaurite.org/>
>>>
>>
>>
>> I'm not sure I agree with that sweeping generalization.  Kristin
>> Laurite got
>> murdered in a rest stop, but that doesn't mean all rest stops are
>> dangerous.  In many it's illegal to camp.  But in others it is not,
>> I've
>> been in rest stops that filled with trucks and vans at night.  If
>> it's busy,
>> it's likely safe.  Camp near the lights, near the bathrooms - not
>> off in a
>> remote corner.  As with all stealth camping, don't pop the top of
>> the van,
>> lock the doors, close the curtains, and screen off the back of the van
>> behind the front seats.  Putting on the windshield curtain is like
>> advertising that you're sleeping there.  You want to look like
>> you're just
>> there for fifteen minutes having a break - but also not be visible.
>>
>>
>>
>>> Best Places to Shower: i.e.
>>>
>>>> - KOA Camp Grounds
>>>> - State Campgrounds
>>>> - Truck Stops
>>>> etc.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>  If you're a member of a YMCA or a gym with national branches, they
>> are good
>> too.  Also municipal pools, if you like to swim.
>>
>>
>>> See above. We stayed one night in a state campground.  Flying J.
>>> Going camping and traveling are two quite different things.
>>> Listmember's driveways are good too.
>>>
>>> Best Places to Wash Up while on the road: i.e.
>>>
>>>> You sleep in the van the night before in a parking lot, have to
>>>> brush
>>>> your teeth, wash your face and shave.
>>>> - Walmart Bathroom
>>>> - Target Bathroom
>>>> - Rest Stop Bathroom
>>>> - Small Hotel
>>>> - In the van with a wash basin
>>>> etc..
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Westy wash basin. Baby wipes.
>>>
>>> Safety when traveling:
>>>
>>>> - parking and sleeping in the van issues
>>>> - tinting window for safety
>>>> - keeping the curtains up when you are not around the van, good idea
>>>> or bad?
>>>> - covering the stuff you have in the van with blankets, good idea or
>>>> bad?
>>>> - best places to park for safety when sleeping either in a parking
>>>> lot, side road, etc..
>>>> - items to keep in the van for first aid
>>>> - items to keep in the van for protection, i.e. bat
>>>>
>>>>
>>> We typically did not pop the top. We did fully curtain the Westy when
>>> sleeping. For safety, we loved the truck stops.  Lisa says that she
>>> wished that she had a white noise generator though.
>>>
>>
>>
>> I also have stealth camped in cities a good bit.  You need to pick a
>> reasonably nice but not fancy neighborhood, busy, and of course
>> overnight
>> parking has to be legal.  Near universities can be good - someplace
>> where an
>> out of state van won't be conspicuous.  Of course no popping the
>> top, no
>> lights in the van at night behind the curtains.  Neighborhoods with
>> a mix of
>> retail, apartments, and single-family homes are good.  Scope out the
>> neighborhood during the day, park there once you are ready to go to
>> sleep.
>> In the morning leave before doing much else.  If you want to cook
>> breakfast,
>> definitely go elsewhere first.
>>
>> Municipal parks are usually not a good place - they empty at night and
>> usually overnight parking is illegal.  But on the street next to the
>> park
>> can be fine.  Shopping center parking lots are only okay if the
>> stores are
>> open 24 hours - and then do check for signs about parking limits.
>> For this
>> kind of stealth camping you need a porta-potty of whatever sort
>> works for
>> you, unless you've got a bladder like a camel!
>>
>> First aid: we carry an Industrial First Aid kit.  About a 10x14x2
>>
>>> metal box with everything except drugs. Looked it up. Johnson &
>>> Johnson 8161 Replace plastic band-aids with cloth.
>>>
>>> We had  "protection items." 1.) Misfit. An 80# German Shepherd mix.
>>> 2.) other items that would (if history is any guide) provoke a hissy
>>> fit on the list.  I'll choose to not evoke Ben and David's wrath for
>>> starting a flame-fest.
>>>
>>
>>
>> I have none of those.  Common sense, locked van doors, and cellphone
>> to call
>> police if needed.
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Temperatures in different areas of the country:
>>>
>>>> - how much did it vary?
>>>> - were you ever cold?
>>>> - cold sleeping in the van?
>>>>
>>>>
>>> It was the middle of summer. It was hot and dry and hot and muggy.
>>> Not
>>> much change in temperature.
>>>
>>
>>
>> South in winter, north in summer.  It depends on your own tolerance
>> for heat
>> and cold, whether you are cold in the van.  How cold do you keep
>> your home
>> at night?  If it's, say, 50 in your bedroom, are you cold under your
>> blankets?  If so, you'll be cold in your van too.  I had a 9-volt
>> fan for
>> when it was too hot in the van - that's more often my problem.
>>
>>
>>> If you slept in the Van Did you bring a mattress pad? i.e.
>>>
>>>> - Memory Foam pad to put in the rear of the van to make it more
>>>> comfortable?
>>>>
>>>>
>>> No.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Whatever you're comfortable with.  Sleep in your van for a few
>> nights at
>> least before taking off.  And remember, you're not going to the
>> moon, you
>> can buy anything you decide you need or want while you're on the road.
>>
>>
>>>
>>> How many hours a day did you drive?
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> 10 hrs?  Whatever felt right.
>>>
>>
>>
>> MUCH less.  But I wasn't in a hurry to get to a destination.  How
>> much do
>> you like to drive?  How fast do you want to get anywhere?
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Did you drive a long distance each day or take a couple days off here
>>>
>>>> and there?
>>>>
>>>>
>>> We were traveling to a wedding so were on a schedule. We were
>>> 'traveling' for two weeks. There were places that we wanted to visit
>>> that we didn't.  We'll catch them next time.
>>>
>>
>>
>> I almost never drove more than 200 or so miles in a day.  I wasn't
>> interested in driving, I was interested in being places.  But it's
>> totally
>> what you enjoy, where you want to stop, what you like to do.
>>
>>
>>>
>>> What the critical maintenance you did to the Van before the trip?
>>>
>>>> i.e.
>>>> - Spark plugs
>>>> - Oil Change
>>>> - Oil Filter
>>>> - Change the front disc pads
>>>> - New Coolant
>>>> - Tranny fluid change
>>>> etc..
>>>>
>>>>
>>> My Westy is continually maintained.  I changed the oil and filters.
>>> (They were due.)
>>>
>>>
>>
>>> What were the critical upgrades if any before the trip?
>>>
>>>> i.e. headlight upgrade to see better?
>>>>
>>>>
>>> None.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Ditto.
>>
>>
>>>
>>> What kind of issues did you keep a watch on the van while driving?
>>>
>>>> i.e.
>>>> - coolant
>>>> - oil
>>>> - fuel lines
>>>> - belts
>>>> - tire pressure
>>>>
>>>>
>>> All of the above. It's part of owning and maintaining your vehicle.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Yup.
>>
>>
>>>
>>> What extra parts or supplies did you bring in case something went
>>>
>>>> wrong with the van? i.e.
>>>> - Belts
>>>> - Coolant
>>>> - Plugs
>>>> - Oil Filter
>>>> - Misc Tools
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Fuses. A bit of fuel line. A belt or two. A couple quarts of motor
>>> oil. You have 'coolant' in the Westy water tank. If you need to
>>> replace an oil filter at the side of the road, you have serious
>>> problems.
>>>
>>> Most important tools to bring?
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Your brain. I  typically carry enough tools to fix what can easily be
>>> fixed at the side of the road. Experience (or the lack thereof) will
>>> determine what's best for you.  Some feel that a AAA card, a credit
>>> card and a cell phone are all the tools they need.  Works for them.
>>> Wouldn't work for me.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Some of us aren't much good as mechanics, hence the dependence on AAA,
>> credit card, and cellphone!
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Best places to visit in each area?
>>>
>>>> i.e. Sedona AZ- Go visit the Energy Vortex's
>>>>
>>>> Best things to do activity wise in each area?
>>>> i.e. Go scuba diving or snorkling in Key West FL
>>>>
>>>>
>>>  All depends on what interests you.  If you haven't seen the Grand
>> Canyon,
>> head there now, do not pass Go, do not collect $200.  People asked
>> me what
>> was the most incredible thing I saw in two and a half years on the
>> road, and
>> trite as it sounds, it was the Grand Canyon.  Crater Lake (in
>> Oregon) is
>> also quite incredible.  Lots of people told me to go there, and I
>> couldn't
>> understand why - just a lake, right? - but it's amazing.   A lake
>> like no
>> other.  Yellowstone is amazing too.
>>
>> Oh, but I'd avoid Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon in summer!
>> Yellowstone
>> is PACKED.  I assume the Grand Canyon is mostly just hot, though I
>> was only
>> there in cold weather so it was fine.
>>
>>
>>>  Best places to eat in each area?
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Yeah, right. I'm answering an email. To answer that would require a
>>> book. That's what guide books are for.  In Oregon, find a copy of
>>> "Oregon For The Curious." Best food? Well, I'm partial to the fish
>>> sandwich at Pt. Loma Seafood. Ditto Rubios fish tacos. The lobster in
>>> Ensenada BC was pretty good too. Mahi-mahi Almondine at the Cotton
>>> Patch on Midway in San Diego was to die for. Your tastes might be
>>> different. <smile>
>>>
>>
>>
>> You might have a look at the road food website - down-home
>> restaurants all
>> over the country.  I think it's roadfood.com.  Good fun!
>>
>>
>>>
>>> How long should a journey from East to West take to really see the
>>>
>>>> sites as well?
>>>> i.e. 1 Month at the minimum?
>>>>
>>>>
>>> About month longer that we have. If I had a month, I'd need two. If I
>>> had a year, I'd *need* thirteen months... You get the idea.
>>>
>>
>>
>> A year.  Are you trying to get somewhere and make a few stops en
>> route?  Or
>> trying to see the country?
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Looking forward to hearing from all of your collective experiences...
>>>
>>>
>>>  Do what makes you happy.  Talk to people on the way, every place you
>> stop.
>> Coffee shops, campgrounds, bars, restaurants, on the beach, on the
>> hiking
>> trail, wherever.  That's really how you "see" the country!
>>
>>
>>
>> Joy
>>
>