We just made that trip a couple of weeks ago in our Westy .  I grew up in
Carmel, and we were going to camp at Limekiln Creek, but the FS has a shack
as you drive in now, and the woman there was a real bit^# (snotty attitude
that just spoiled the whole mood).  Decided to head on further south.  Had a
great drive down the coast and  camped at Plaskett Creek (about 50 mi south
of Big Sur.  Great camp site and no PITA busy-body camp hosts to deal with -
just shove your $$ in the slot and enjoy the solitude.

There's also some great primitive spots up off the highway if you don't mind
a bit of dirt driving.  The dirt roads eventually go up to a place called
Comb Peak (there was snow a couple of weeks ago), and also wind their way
into Ft. Hunter Liggett.  I think the maps are marked "Nacimiento-Fergueson
Road" or something like that.  Some good camping inside Hunter Liggett, but
watch out for tank crossings.   :-)

Enjoy your trip.  PS - I carry a Bentley manual and a really big Swiss Army
knife.  My friends call me McGyver.  :-)

Brent Christensen
'89 Syncro Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: Glommen, Jon <Jon.Glommen@NOVELLUS.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 1999 8:00 AM
Subject: Maiden voyage of Westy, what to pack?

> Thanks to the help of this list our '86 Westy is off for our first camping
> trip. The ATF in the crankcase quieted an otherwise noisy lifter; so noisy
> in fact the SMOG check place would not test it, thus holding up our
> registration process! I was about ready to install new lifters until if
> found the posts advising the ATF treatment.
>
> Our first trip is to Big Sur (California central coast) for a weekend of
> family camping. Our Westy is the 1/2-camper version --no appliances.
>
> In addition to the usual camping gear, what should I pack for a Vanagon
road
> trip? Extra coolant? Bottle of oil? Flares? CV axle (just kiddin')?
>
>
> Thank you,
> Jon Glommen
> Product Engineering
> NOVELLUS Metals Group
> 408.570.2814
>