Just completed a short 5 day camping trip to Hornby Island in BC.  Not
really much of a haul given I live in Vancouver but it was a really nice
drive taking the lower road on Vancouver Island - Highway 19 A and it was
also a comfortable camp for a growing family of 4 even in spite of a little
rain the last 2 nights.

The van ran very well - coolant level has not dropped in the refill tank
for awhile now and no oil drips on any ferry decks.  A couple of new
squeaks and groans from the shocks I think - so I'll keep an ear and eye
out for that. Saw quite a few vans out there and got some very enthusiastic
waves from some van owners - also had a couple of conversations with people
who wanted to jump on the vanwagon.

Highlights included: a very cool Dometic fridge - I ended up never turning
off the propane when driving around Hornby from the camp site - which is
new for me...(usually I shut off the propane when I drive anywhere).  Beer
was still cool when I got home 4 hours later after turning off the propane
and not bothering to switch to battery.  Making grilled cheese sandwiches
in the van one afternoon with the sliding door wide open and peering out at
a secluded beach with the kids exploring.  Driving back to the campsite
with a dozen oysters from one of the beaches and having an oyster cook.

Anyway there were a couple of Type IIs in the campsite which made me think
of John Muir and the previous thread about Wabi Tek Sabi.  I recall loving
that book when I had my 77 Westy and reading how to set the timing, the
valves and gap a set of points.  One of the vans was backfiring when it
left the camp site which made me recall those particular pages and drawings
from the Idiot Guide.  In some ways I miss having to set the timing on the
water boxer - but in other ways I don't miss it whatsoever.

BT

Whitesail - Westy Syncro