INTRODUCTIONS - VW Camper Family2024-03-29T14:54:43Zhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/forum/topics/introductions-1?groupUrl=vwwomen&commentId=4450389%3AComment%3A83227&groupId=4450389%3AGroup%3A11535&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHi, I'm Wendie Wu
I’ve had an…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2023-10-07:4450389:Comment:2230562023-10-07T17:14:34.953ZWendie Wuhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/WendieWu
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Hi, I'm Wendie Wu</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve had an ‘02 Eurovan EVC (Beulah) since ‘17. She’s the VW first I bought but not the first in my life. Learned to drive on a ‘66 21 window ragtop and a ‘70 square back. In college (mid ‘79s) mom got me a ‘70 bug. So it was a long time before I got back to VW land. </p>
<p>I live in San Francisco, California, USA. Happy to have the only camper van that fits inside a San Francisco garage. <span>Holler if you’re…</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Hi, I'm Wendie Wu</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">I’ve had an ‘02 Eurovan EVC (Beulah) since ‘17. She’s the VW first I bought but not the first in my life. Learned to drive on a ‘66 21 window ragtop and a ‘70 square back. In college (mid ‘79s) mom got me a ‘70 bug. So it was a long time before I got back to VW land. </p>
<p>I live in San Francisco, California, USA. Happy to have the only camper van that fits inside a San Francisco garage. <span>Holler if you’re camping in the area and want a buddy. If I’m available I’ll go. (Lordy I love being retired!)</span></p>
<p>Beulah is for camping and very occasionally hauling. <br/>We camp close to the Bay Area but have covered most of the west coast. Hubby hates to camp (except Bus City) so I’m usually camp with women’s groups (mostly Tow Girlz).</p>
<p>She doesn’t sound or smell like a VW. But I decorated her up with flower stickers so she looks a bit like one. I love the smiles and happy waves she gets when we’re on the road.</p>
<p>Personal likes: campfire smells, someone else cooking. <br/>Dislikes: loud music/generators/ACs in campgrounds, dirty campgrounds, rude people. </p>
<p>Other hobbies: sewing (especially under the trees at camp), cross stitch, world travel and Girl Scouting. </p>
<p></p> Hello. I am Paula Whitney and…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2016-09-26:4450389:Comment:972322016-09-26T21:42:17.806ZPaula Whitneyhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/PaulaWhitney
<p>Hello. I am Paula Whitney and live in Walnut Creek California.</p>
<p>I drive a 1997 Eurovan camper and am the original owner. It was a dream of mine since childhood to own a VW camper and as much as I covet the charm of the older styles, when it came to obtaining one for our family, we opted for the new model. The van has been multi-purpose for us, being a car to haul a group (we have the one with the removable extra bench seat), move furniture, and, of course, take road trips.It has been…</p>
<p>Hello. I am Paula Whitney and live in Walnut Creek California.</p>
<p>I drive a 1997 Eurovan camper and am the original owner. It was a dream of mine since childhood to own a VW camper and as much as I covet the charm of the older styles, when it came to obtaining one for our family, we opted for the new model. The van has been multi-purpose for us, being a car to haul a group (we have the one with the removable extra bench seat), move furniture, and, of course, take road trips.It has been our primary vehicle for many years of road trips to visit family in Washington State. With each visit we work to find new spots while still visiting ones we enjoyed on previous trips. (We are not above out of the way side trips like Glacier and Yellowstone.)</p>
<p>I have had an account on VW Camper Family for at least a couple years, but I have not been active. Now recently retired, I hope to have more opportunity for adventures. Having met one of your active members last weekend at a local neighborhood car show I was reminded that VW Camper Family is a good way to begin.</p>
<p>I hope to connect with a community of like minded individuals, make new friends, and expand my knowledge of the VW camper line, and the many places of delight to take them.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Thank you - Paula Whitney</p> Hi Jimi
Nowadays mostly we ch…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2015-10-19:4450389:Comment:935192015-10-19T16:11:25.586ZCarole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan'http://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/CaroleBrown
<p>Hi Jimi</p>
<p>Nowadays mostly we chat on facebook, so it would be great to see you there.</p>
<p>It's kinda hard to answer all your questions. I think the best thing is to get out on the road as often as you can and see what happens.</p>
<p>When I was new to having my Westy, another VW gal helped me with some simple tips that were really useful - things like use rain-x on your glass to reduce your need to use wipers, buy a plastic flex tube and also a locking tube to use when you add oil…</p>
<p>Hi Jimi</p>
<p>Nowadays mostly we chat on facebook, so it would be great to see you there.</p>
<p>It's kinda hard to answer all your questions. I think the best thing is to get out on the road as often as you can and see what happens.</p>
<p>When I was new to having my Westy, another VW gal helped me with some simple tips that were really useful - things like use rain-x on your glass to reduce your need to use wipers, buy a plastic flex tube and also a locking tube to use when you add oil (because its so difficult to get the quart of oil anywhere near the fill tube!). I was lucky in that my eBay purchase turned out to be a splendid bus. I drove her home from Oregon to Massachusetts after exploring lots of the west coast. You can read about our adventures at <a href="http://yeswecanjourney.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://yeswecanjourney.wordpress.com/</a></p>
<p>Wishing you lots of happy vw adventures,<br/>Carole</p> Hi Jimi
Yes, I do what I can…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2015-10-19:4450389:Comment:934832015-10-19T15:45:43.504ZCikan Vuzhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Cikan_Vuz
<p>Hi Jimi</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes, I do what I can but if I do not have the tools, or simply do not want to tackle the job/task at hand, I either take her to Dave's VW Repair in Hemet, CA, ot I have my friend VW Jeremy of Hemet, help me.</p>
<p>Oh, I do not know if you are on facebook, but most gal's here are and are in the group VW Women. You should check it out as well. =]) …</p>
<p>Hi Jimi</p>
<p></p>
<p>Yes, I do what I can but if I do not have the tools, or simply do not want to tackle the job/task at hand, I either take her to Dave's VW Repair in Hemet, CA, ot I have my friend VW Jeremy of Hemet, help me.</p>
<p>Oh, I do not know if you are on facebook, but most gal's here are and are in the group VW Women. You should check it out as well. =]) <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/VWwomen/?fref=ts" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/VWwomen/?fref=ts</a></p>
<p><br/> <br/> <cite>Jimi said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/forum/topics/introductions-1?groupUrl=vwwomen&commentId=4450389%3AComment%3A93517&xg_source=msg_com_gr_forum#4450389Comment93517"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p><br/> <br/> <cite>Cikan Vuz said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/forum/topics/introductions-1?groupUrl=vwwomen&commentId=4450389%3AComment%3A93601&groupId=4450389%3AGroup%3A11535#4450389Comment91023"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Yes, that happens to the best of us; I must have spent well over 13k on her so far since I got her two years ago; and given I had at least 80% of the stuff I used on her interior already in my house ( I just re-purposed it), that amount went to her purchase price, fixing the motor, tranny, and just about everything else sadly. But after I replace her front drums, pretty much everything will be new or like new and hopefully last me a long time ( so long as I take care of her).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Best of luck to you on your creative journey with Vardo!</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>hi</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Hi, was wondering, do you perform all the mechanicals on your vehicle, or do you have a mechanic?</em></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Cikan Vuz said:
Yes, that h…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2015-10-19:4450389:Comment:935172015-10-19T15:25:42.713ZJimihttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Jimi
<p><br></br> <br></br> <cite>Cikan Vuz said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/forum/topics/introductions-1?groupUrl=vwwomen&commentId=4450389%3AComment%3A93601&groupId=4450389%3AGroup%3A11535#4450389Comment91023"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Yes, that happens to the best of us; I must have spent well over 13k on her so far since I got her two years ago; and given I had at least 80% of the stuff I used on her interior already in my house ( I just re-purposed it),…</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p><br/> <br/> <cite>Cikan Vuz said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/forum/topics/introductions-1?groupUrl=vwwomen&commentId=4450389%3AComment%3A93601&groupId=4450389%3AGroup%3A11535#4450389Comment91023"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Yes, that happens to the best of us; I must have spent well over 13k on her so far since I got her two years ago; and given I had at least 80% of the stuff I used on her interior already in my house ( I just re-purposed it), that amount went to her purchase price, fixing the motor, tranny, and just about everything else sadly. But after I replace her front drums, pretty much everything will be new or like new and hopefully last me a long time ( so long as I take care of her).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Best of luck to you on your creative journey with Vardo!</p>
<p></p>
<p><em>hi</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><em>Hi, was wondering, do you perform all the mechanicals on your vehicle, or do you have a mechanic?</em></p>
</div>
</blockquote> Is this still an active group…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2015-10-17:4450389:Comment:936012015-10-17T18:21:16.379ZJimihttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Jimi
<p>Is this still an active group?</p>
<p>My name is Jimi; I'm newly retired, <span style="font-size: 13px;">live in golden colorado and bought my first vw camper in 2013. She is an 82 air-cooled orange vanagon westfalia. Her name is Chelsea. I had one wonderful camping trip and then the engine blew. (Totally my fault, i believe). So after waiting a year, after the snows and gathering funds, i had the engine rebuilt. I haven't been entirely sure that it is running correctly, so haven't…</span></p>
<p>Is this still an active group?</p>
<p>My name is Jimi; I'm newly retired, <span style="font-size: 13px;">live in golden colorado and bought my first vw camper in 2013. She is an 82 air-cooled orange vanagon westfalia. Her name is Chelsea. I had one wonderful camping trip and then the engine blew. (Totally my fault, i believe). So after waiting a year, after the snows and gathering funds, i had the engine rebuilt. I haven't been entirely sure that it is running correctly, so haven't been out on the road, except for two camping trips about 40 min away. ( the luxury of living in the foothills of the rockies-full mountains 30 min away).</span></p>
<p>I bought Chelsea so I could do some traveling and now I'm concerned about being "out there" and having mechanical difficulties. Do any of you VW women have any tips, suggestions, etc., for getting me out on the road?</p>
<p>I'm so excited by this forum, where many women can help me learn the ropes.</p>
<p>A few items of concern:</p>
<p>What do you do for air when it's hot (no compressor for air) and in the same vein, heat when it is cold?</p>
<p>Do you always boondock and if so, did you find these areas via website?</p>
<p>If you have spent a good 30-days traveling between places, what is your average cost for these travels?</p>
<p>Did you ever have concern for your safety?</p>
<p>Have you bought some nifty gadgets to help out? Mind sharing?</p>
<p>Anyone out there with air-cooled, what is your average speed going over mountain passes and what was the elevation of the highest pass.. (I've been told my girl won't make it up 11,000 ft).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Please write back ladies, I'm excited to find you all.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Evenstarjm (Jimi)</p> Yes, that happens to the best…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2015-05-19:4450389:Comment:910232015-05-19T04:00:32.071ZCikan Vuzhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Cikan_Vuz
<p>Yes, that happens to the best of us; I must have spent well over 13k on her so far since I got her two years ago; and given I had at least 80% of the stuff I used on her interior already in my house ( I just re-purposed it), that amount went to her purchase price, fixing the motor, tranny, and just about everything else sadly. But after I replace her front drums, pretty much everything will be new or like new and hopefully last me a long time ( so long as I take care of…</p>
<p>Yes, that happens to the best of us; I must have spent well over 13k on her so far since I got her two years ago; and given I had at least 80% of the stuff I used on her interior already in my house ( I just re-purposed it), that amount went to her purchase price, fixing the motor, tranny, and just about everything else sadly. But after I replace her front drums, pretty much everything will be new or like new and hopefully last me a long time ( so long as I take care of her).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Best of luck to you on your creative journey with Vardo!</p> Hi Cikan,
Thanks for sharing…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2015-05-19:4450389:Comment:908342015-05-19T03:51:59.492ZKim Bailyhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/KimBaily
<p>Hi Cikan,</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing your pics. I have a long way to go to get my van looking half as gypsy as yours. I'd just like to get the darn thing on the road - spending way too much money!</p>
<p>Kim</p>
<p>Hi Cikan,</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing your pics. I have a long way to go to get my van looking half as gypsy as yours. I'd just like to get the darn thing on the road - spending way too much money!</p>
<p>Kim</p> Hi Kim! I would LOVE to see…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2015-05-18:4450389:Comment:907502015-05-18T01:20:12.647ZCikan Vuzhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Cikan_Vuz
<p>Hi Kim! I would LOVE to see the inside of your "Vardo", as you can see from my pics, I have a gypsy wagon too. =]) <a rel="nofollow" href="http://cikanvuz.weebly.com/as-the-story-goes" target="_blank">http://cikanvuz.weebly.com/as-the-story-goes</a></p>
<p>Hi Kim! I would LOVE to see the inside of your "Vardo", as you can see from my pics, I have a gypsy wagon too. =]) <a rel="nofollow" href="http://cikanvuz.weebly.com/as-the-story-goes" target="_blank">http://cikanvuz.weebly.com/as-the-story-goes</a></p> Hello Everyone,
My name is Ki…tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2015-05-16:4450389:Comment:907402015-05-16T15:51:20.876ZKim Bailyhttp://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/KimBaily
<p>Hello Everyone,</p>
<p>My name is Kim and I am now the proud owner of a 1984 Vanagon named "Vardo". I chose the name from a Dickens story in which he describes Mrs. Jarley's gypsy caravan with its bed, stove, closet or larder and several chests (Old Curiosity Shop, ch. xxvii):</p>
<p><i>One half of it... was carpeted, and so partitioned off at the further end as to accommodate a sleeping-place, constructed after the fashion of a berth on board ship, which was shaded, like the windows, with…</i></p>
<p>Hello Everyone,</p>
<p>My name is Kim and I am now the proud owner of a 1984 Vanagon named "Vardo". I chose the name from a Dickens story in which he describes Mrs. Jarley's gypsy caravan with its bed, stove, closet or larder and several chests (Old Curiosity Shop, ch. xxvii):</p>
<p><i>One half of it... was carpeted, and so partitioned off at the further end as to accommodate a sleeping-place, constructed after the fashion of a berth on board ship, which was shaded, like the windows, with fair white curtains... The other half served for a kitchen, and was fitted up with a stove whose small chimney passed through the roof. It also held a closet or larder, several chests, a great pitcher of water, and a few cooking-utensils and articles of crockery. These latter necessaries hung upon the walls, which in that portion of the establishment devoted to the lady of the caravan, were ornamented with such gayer and lighter decorations as a triangle and a couple of well-thumbed tambourines.</i></p>
<p></p>
<p>I have a dog named Towser and we've been camping together in various pop up campers for the past few years. We "upgraded" to a vanagon last fall and we have taken little trips since then. We set off on our first big trip last Sunday to the Russian River camp-out but we only made it to Buellton - Bummer! Hopefully we will be back on the road soon and then we'll get to meet some of you in person.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Happy Travels,</p>
<p><i>Kim</i></p>
<blockquote><p></p>
</blockquote>