Travels in a NV SMB

[radin2son]

Thanks. One more dream, long trip in the works? 
 

Since we had to cut our last trip short due to my getting sick, we still have to make it to Maine. (Clan gathering in July.) Once there, we may look at Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Quebec. All we need are 2 spare tires…so they say. 
 

Went to high school in Sept-Iles, Quebec. The road ended there at the time. Always wanted to head west on the Trans Canada Highway. 
 

My other dream trip was the Pan American highway. Did the northern part, but the southern is out of reach.  
 

[Local Apparent Friday]

Ah man.  Yah we missed Maine this year too....first summer we missed it since I started going in 2014.  Beautiful country up that way.

[radin2son]

Found this photo in a box my parents had. Crossed the country several times to see them when they lived on Cape Cod.  May have made it to Kittery, Maine. 

 

Forecast was warm and sunny. Used our ‘83 VW as a base camp on a short backpacking/day hike trip in northern New Mexico. Second night out, torrential rain. Able to dry things out until it started snowing. Headed back to van. 
 

Same floor plan as our NV, so it was a no brainer when decide to return to van camping. 

 

[Local Apparent Friday]

That's killer.  There's a place up near Belfast that specializes in those things, if you get up there and want to reminisce.  It's a younger guy that owns it, but you'd think he was in the thick of it in the 50s and 60s from talking to him and picking his brain about VWs.  Must have come out breathing them and cut his teeth on shop manuals instead of nursery rhymes.

[radin2son]

The problem with the VW was unreliable reliability. Most of the time, no problems. Never stranded. 
Speed/power and MPGs weren’t a strong points. 
 

Our NV has been reliable, plus it just is a more capable van. 
 

Met a “large” guy in a rented VW Weekender van. He looked at our NV and the VW, and he was overcome with nostalgia for a VW of his own. (That reminds me, I would have loved to own the ‘67 VW van with 911 Porsche engine and chrome wheels. VW nostalgia.)

[radin2son]

We are in the process of deciding whether to keep our van or move on. Depends on how many compromises we can live with. 
 

When the weather was perfect in the SW, I made reservations for 2 nights at Cottonwood CG in Joshua Tree National Park. Again, since the weather was perfect, I made reservations for 3 nights at the Grand Canyon. (If you plan to stay more than 1 night at JT or GC,  you have to make reservations thru Recreation.gov to ensure you get a site.)
 

Joshua Tree:  We have yet to find a level site anywhere in JT. Very windy and low temps in the 30s. So much for great weather. 

[radin2son]

Grand Canyon:  Rain then snow from Kingman, AZ to GC, south rim. High temps in the upper 30s with snow showers for 2 days. (Snow level about 7000’.) Lows in the 20s. Considered bailing but a hot cup of coffee does wonders. 
 

Lots of empty sites, either no shows or 1 nighters. Can’t see spending just one night. 
 

A little over 1000 mi trip that didn’t settle our debate or dilemma. 

[Last2ConvertNV]

Hi Radin2son,

 

Weather is so unpredictable this time of year.   My wife and I drove two weeks ago from our place in S. Arizona to Park City, UT to pick up a horse (1600 mile round trip).   We were concerned that it might be a bit chilly for the horse in an open trailer.     It turned out to be awesome weather and the concern turned to being too hot for the horse going from Las Vegas to Phoenix in 90 degree heat.   We made a trip through Moab on the way up.   No reservations were necessary for Arches,  but it was crowded and was not the same tranquil Moab that we remember from 30 years ago.   I saw a good t-shirt that said "Moab sucks, tell all your friends."  Key is to stay off the pavement and explore the back-country.

 

I'm glad you guys have not sold your van yet.   You guys are tough using your pop-up tent with no heater in snowy weather.    I'm a woosie and I have a eberspacher diesel heater to install soon.   I enjoy your pictures and trip logs as well as the phone conversations we have had.

[radin2son]

Thanks.
 

Staying off the pavement is one of our compromises. No longer willing to risk getting stuck. 
 

Did you camp at Arches? Last time we did, we got caught in an early November snow storm. Too windy and temps in the teens, so we pulled the top down and slept below. Learned we needed better winter gear.