This may come as a shock to you, but you can camp without solar panels.  Mankind has been doing it since our ancestors first came up with the idea of camping.  Just leave the flatscreen, espresso maker, electric blankets, hot tub, 12 volt tiki lights, etc, home.:<)

Now if I can just figure out how to carry two 21 1/2ft long tandem kayaks on top of our Westy Syncro this weekend.  Can't leave them home as they are the reason for the trip.

Mark in AK

----- Original Message -----
From: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
Date: Friday, August 21, 2009 7:11 am
Subject: Friday: Learn From My Lessons
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Despite this broken ankle, Mrs Squirrel and I have plans to go camping
> this weekend.
>
> I tell ya fellows, learn from my mistakes and don't do what I did.
> Specifically, do NOT make a 1,000 mile move from one state to
> another with
> a good portion of your camping gear packed with the furniture in a
> movingtruck, unpack your van and moving truck and stash the stuff
> here and there
> around the house, telling yourself that when next year's camping
> seasoncomes around you'll just gather everything up and make the
> van ready to
> go. I still can't find, like, half the gear.
>
> Anyone see the cables I use to connect the solar panels to the
> van? How
> could I lose track of those?
>
> I've even looked in the sock drawer.
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> Bend, OR
> KG6RCR
>