Just looking out for your ankle, the more you stay off of it the faster the recovery.  Besides once you start packing all of that stuff with you it is a slippery slope and soon you we be eyeing a class C RV.  From there it is only a matter of time until there is a shiny new class A sitting in your driveway.  At that point you have officially gone over to the darkside and we will have to deny your existence.  People will only speak of you in hushed tones away from others for fear of banishment.  You will have become "one of those" that Vanagonauts avoid parking near when camping.  Some of us go so far as to seek out places to camp that larger RV's can only dream of getting to.  The last level of this inferno will find you spending your nights trying to see the sunset through  the L A smog form the parking lot of a Wal-Mart.  Maybe, if you are lucky, one day you will remember what you gave up for the life of luxury you now have and in a moment of strength throw off the shackles
 affluenza for the more simple Vanagon life.  If so we will welcome you back with open arms but you will have to go through a 12 step process with a sponsor at your side.  From then on your life will include weekly meetings, late night phone calls when the urges get too strong.  There will be relapses of course but if you are caught in time you will pull through.

Hang in there we are here to help, even though we are NOT from the government.

Mark in AK

----- Original Message -----
From: Rocket J Squirrel <camping.elliott@gmail.com>
Date: Friday, August 21, 2009 10:39 am
Subject: Re: Friday: Learn From My Lessons
To: Mark Tuovinen <mst@ak.net>
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Oh great -- now I get a lecture on what I should take camping, and
> what I
> should not.
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> Bend, OR
> KG6RCR
>
>
>