I had my boys in the van all day long traveling without any problem, as long
as they could play on the table, had stories read to them, used the porta
pottie and changed diapers on the fly, etc.  The Westy is a little house on
wheels.  They can sleep behind the rear seats over the rumbling engine, eat
and drink while we drive, get out of the seats for a while and walk around
to rest their bottoms, etc.  Yes, it is a little hard on them but they are
with you and next to you and it is not hard if you are not complaining
yourself.  And when you stop for gas, let them walk around, run around a
little at the rest stop.  Spending time with them and be with them in the
back is very valuable to them.
Zoltan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Shawley" <easywind1975@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 5:36 PM
Subject: Thoughts on Travelling w/ 4 year old

So here's the deal, I've had my 86 Westy for 3 1/2 years now.  I don't put
many miles on it, it gets alot of use hauling lumber and other crap from
Lowes.  Each summer we take it locally to camp and what not on weekends that
we have nothing planned.  I've never taken it more than 5 or 6 hours away.

Well I gotta bug up my butt to go see the Wanee Festival (
http://www.waneefestival.com/ ) in Florida this spring.  Take a week or so
to take our time driving back and see some friends in the Carolinas.  It is
a 15 hours straight drive and I know that is out of the question with a 4
year old, we'd break it up in two chunks, use a motel on the ride down.
We've gone to North Carolina once with our daughter when she was two and she
did great, we did it in a comfy 80 mph crusin' Passat.  Oh yeah we live in
western Pennsylvania.

So here are my concerns;

Will travelling this distance with a 4 year old be more of a pain than it is
fun?

I'm not worried about the festival she loves that stuff.

I'm concerned about taking the van that far away, I maintain it pretty good
and it has never let me down but that is a haul.  I'd probably get someone
to check it out for me and of course pay for the Premium AAA.  My other
option is to take on of the cars and pack a tent and all that crap, hope for
no rain.

I'd just like to hear some varying perspectives on this before I reach a
decision.

Ryan

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