VW Camper Family2024-03-28T20:06:56ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laurahttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1970607208?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/group/vwwomen/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=1r49fjzdw800m&feed=yes&xn_auth=noLooking for women campers in the Southern New England areatag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2020-08-01:4450389:Topic:1204862020-08-01T18:49:47.713ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laura
<p>Hello VW enthusiasts,</p>
<p>My name is Mary and I have been a VW bus owner for over 30 years. Currently, I am on my 3rd VW, a lovely 1987 Westie. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I recently moved back to the east coast where I am originally from (RI). I miss my camping buddies on the west coast and was hoping to meet up with a few women in this area. I can camp alone and have done a lot of it, but it is always nice to have some company.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Since I am retired, my time is pretty…</p>
<p>Hello VW enthusiasts,</p>
<p>My name is Mary and I have been a VW bus owner for over 30 years. Currently, I am on my 3rd VW, a lovely 1987 Westie. </p>
<p></p>
<p>I recently moved back to the east coast where I am originally from (RI). I miss my camping buddies on the west coast and was hoping to meet up with a few women in this area. I can camp alone and have done a lot of it, but it is always nice to have some company.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Since I am retired, my time is pretty open. </p>
<p></p>
<p>My idea of a good time camping would be to share a good meal, a fire, a nice glass of wine, some good conversation, a hike, bike, swim, or kayak adventure, and some tips on travel. I also like to take in some of the local sights, particularly anything having to do with history. </p>
<p></p>
<p>In my former life, I was a college English professor. I have traveled across country in my Volkswagen bus, gone up and down the west coast innumerable times, and rented VW Westies abroad, most notably in England, Wales, Germany, and the Netherlands. I would love to do that again sometime... maybe New Zealand?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Please contact me via email: maryforman2017@gmail.com is you have any desire to look into becoming camping buddies. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Take care, Mary</p> Introductiontag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2016-05-19:4450389:Topic:957622016-05-19T19:15:46.521ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laura
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333399;">Hi Ladies:</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-2" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333399;">Mary Lou Atkins here. I live up in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains between San Jose, CA and the coastal town of Santa Cruz. What more could you ask for: surrounded by tall, majestic redwood trees and only a 20-minute drive to the beach!…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333399;" class="font-size-2">Hi Ladies:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333399;" class="font-size-2">Mary Lou Atkins here. I live up in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains between San Jose, CA and the coastal town of Santa Cruz. What more could you ask for: surrounded by tall, majestic redwood trees and only a 20-minute drive to the beach!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333399;" class="font-size-2">Have owned my '87 Westy for almost 2 years now, but was not "feeling the love" the first year. Bought it from a guy who am pretty sure was a "car flipper" so even though it looked good, it had MAJOR problems right off the bat.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333399;" class="font-size-2">Anyway, hopefully that is all now in the past & I'm feeling more comfortable about taking trips more than 50 miles from my home (and heaven forbid out of range of AAA roadside service).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333399;" class="font-size-2">Would love to connect with like-minded women who enjoy day-hiking, camping adventures, Golden Retrievers & upgrading their Westy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #333399;" class="font-size-2">It's been a while since I celebrated (?) my 65th, but have lots of energy & love the outdoors.</span></p> Hello from Pacifica, CA!tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2014-04-02:4450389:Topic:841132014-04-02T06:24:35.307ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laura
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Hi I'm Tré Taylor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I live in Pacifica, CA and own a 1973 T2 Bay Window VW Camper Bus. Everyone I know has given me a hard time for loving my old bus, but I adore her and I am a VW girl at heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> My family car growing up was a square back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I had a 72 Beetle for 12 years.…</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Hi I'm Tré Taylor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I live in Pacifica, CA and own a 1973 T2 Bay Window VW Camper Bus. Everyone I know has given me a hard time for loving my old bus, but I adore her and I am a VW girl at heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> My family car growing up was a square back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I had a 72 Beetle for 12 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I finally had to get a vintage bus, and am very happy I did. <br/></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">I am a corporate event planner by day and have been a jazz & blues vocalist for over 25 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I bought the bus 10 years ago for hauling band equipment etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> My old band is called <a href="http://www.dangerousmartini.com/">Dangerous Martini</a> so I ended up hand painting her Leopard print and converted her into a sort of retro cocktail leopard lounge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I had no idea that hand painting my bus and doing fun upholstery would make her an "Art Car."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> The art car artists found me and soon I was the official bar car for <a href="http://www.artcarfest.com/" target="_blank">Artcar Fest</a> for a few years. <br/></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">She has been to many a concert, festival, and lots of fun camping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> She broke down in 2009 and sat for 5 years not running. Finding a mechanic who would work on my year vehicle was near impossible. But I did and I just finally upgraded the engine from a 1.7 liter dual carb to a 2.0 liter long block from <a href="http://www.gex.com/content/index.htm">GEX International.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I am completely artfully restoring her. I am still breaking in the new engine, so I haven't really taken her out for a big trip yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Her first camping trip will be at the <a href="http://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/events/bus-city-2014-the-sixth-annual-vw-bus-gathering-in-the-redwoods">Bus City 2014 - the Sixth Annual VW Bus Gathering in the Redwoods, Guerneville, CA</a> I am going alone and don't know anyone, so this is a big step for me this year. I have heard so many great things about the VW community, I thought it was time to introduce myself in person. I am no stranger to glamorous camping however.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">I am planning on taking her “Glamping” all over the western United States. I started a community called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://glamp-o-rama.blogspot.com/">GLAMP-O-RAMA, west coast glamping community</a></i> this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I have a few friends who restore vintage trailers and have fancy tents etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> We have our first co-ed trip planned for this summer in Guerneville as well. I am also looking to organize a woman’s only glamping weekend get-a-way maybe in early October this year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone is welcome to join.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Here are the details: <a href="http://glamp-o-rama.blogspot.com/">http://glamp-o-rama.blogspot.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I am divorced, no kids, just turned 51, and I feel like I am having more fun now than I ever have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> Life does get better after 50!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I hope to meet new fun interesting people, so I started something and I am reaching out to the VW Bus world for the first time this year and I am looking forward to making some new friends. Especially VW Bus owners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> I am on Facebook at: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tre.taylor">https://www.facebook.com/tre.taylor</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> ~ Thanks for being here, I had no idea there was a ladies only VW group...awesome.<br/></span></p> NEW MEMBERtag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2012-05-16:4450389:Topic:635302012-05-16T12:40:49.371ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laura
<p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: courier new,courier;">Hello Ladies,</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: courier new,courier;">I've just joined the group and am so looking forward to catching up with everyone.</span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-3" style="font-family: courier new,courier;">I've got a 91 westie, I've yet to name. She (yes it's a she) is new to me as of early May this year and goes by big blue at the moment. It's a step up from the 79 air…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: courier new,courier;" class="font-size-3">Hello Ladies,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: courier new,courier;" class="font-size-3">I've just joined the group and am so looking forward to catching up with everyone.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: courier new,courier;" class="font-size-3">I've got a 91 westie, I've yet to name. She (yes it's a she) is new to me as of early May this year and goes by big blue at the moment. It's a step up from the 79 air cooled westie I had way back when.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: courier new,courier;" class="font-size-3">I live and work on Cape Cod year round and hope to find some</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: courier new,courier;" class="font-size-3">gals close by to go on weekend road trips or camping adventures . I hope to plan a trip up the coast thru Maine and into Canada. Also on my short list of trips is a camping adventure thru the bad lands of South Dakota.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: courier new,courier;" class="font-size-3"> I have a dog,Maxx, a giant schnauzer that I adopted in late January of this year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: courier new,courier;" class="font-size-3"> If you're every on the cape give me a shout out. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: courier new,courier;" class="font-size-3"> Gayle</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: courier new,courier;" class="font-size-3"> </span></p>
<p></p> Are you on my route?tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2011-12-12:4450389:Topic:593452011-12-12T02:57:12.816ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laura
<p>See <a href="http://vw4causes.org/mga-route/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow nofollow">http://vw4causes.org/mga-route/</a></p>
<p>If you are anywhere near the route west of Mobile, Alabama, please text me at 617 417 1286.</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Carole</p>
<p></p>
<p>See <a href="http://vw4causes.org/mga-route/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow nofollow">http://vw4causes.org/mga-route/</a></p>
<p>If you are anywhere near the route west of Mobile, Alabama, please text me at 617 417 1286.</p>
<p>Cheers,</p>
<p>Carole</p>
<p></p> Road Trip Videotag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2011-09-30:4450389:Topic:511312011-09-30T22:56:35.889ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laura
<p><a href="http://www.westywoman.com/Home/Road_Tripping_1.html">http://www.westywoman.com/Home/Road_Tripping_1.html</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Click here to watch my 9-minute video taken through the windshield during my June Road Trip in Northern CA and Oregon. I hope you enjoy the scenery and the music track. Cheers! Melissa.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.westywoman.com/Home/Road_Tripping_1.html">http://www.westywoman.com/Home/Road_Tripping_1.html</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Click here to watch my 9-minute video taken through the windshield during my June Road Trip in Northern CA and Oregon. I hope you enjoy the scenery and the music track. Cheers! Melissa.</p> WHICH DO YOU PREFER - this group or Facebook VW Women's group?tag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2011-09-21:4450389:Topic:503012011-09-21T22:52:30.007ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laura
<p>Hi everyone, After I set up the Facebook VW women group, it became obvious that many members liked that better, judging from the amount of interaction in that space by members and posts from others besides me.</p>
<p>However I am aware that some of the members here may not like Facebook, so this is a chance for you to say which you prefer and if you'd like both groups to continue.</p>
<p>Please make a comment so that we can continue with one or both to suit members' tastes.</p>
<p>And also…</p>
<p>Hi everyone, After I set up the Facebook VW women group, it became obvious that many members liked that better, judging from the amount of interaction in that space by members and posts from others besides me.</p>
<p>However I am aware that some of the members here may not like Facebook, so this is a chance for you to say which you prefer and if you'd like both groups to continue.</p>
<p>Please make a comment so that we can continue with one or both to suit members' tastes.</p>
<p>And also please let me know if you did not receive an invitation to join the Facebook group. You need first to join Facebook and then send me a friend invitation, before sending me a request to add you to the Facebook VW Women group, because it is private and cannot be found by searching facebook.</p>
<p>In this VW Camper Family group hosted by ning, our discussions and comments can be read by all camper family members, I believe, so the level of privacy is different, too.</p>
<p>Hoping to hear from you.</p>
<p>Cheers and Happy VWing! <br/>Carole</p> VW Newbietag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2011-03-15:4450389:Topic:234262011-03-15T01:43:56.330ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laura
<p>Hey all! My name is Carrie and I just bought my first VW in November 2010: my '74 Westfalia named Otto. I was soooo sick of people naming their cars "chick" names, so that's why I picked a masculine name for him. Otto and I live in Fairfield, OH which is just north of Cincinnati. Unfortunately, I brought him home from Nashville where I bought him JUUUUUST before the cold weather hit. So I have not camped with him yet. I HAVE, however, been lucky enough to take him out on a handful of…</p>
<p>Hey all! My name is Carrie and I just bought my first VW in November 2010: my '74 Westfalia named Otto. I was soooo sick of people naming their cars "chick" names, so that's why I picked a masculine name for him. Otto and I live in Fairfield, OH which is just north of Cincinnati. Unfortunately, I brought him home from Nashville where I bought him JUUUUUST before the cold weather hit. So I have not camped with him yet. I HAVE, however, been lucky enough to take him out on a handful of warm days we've had here on the outskirts of the winter. I have taken him to 3 parks so far for the day with friends and family....fishing, hanging out, photography, exploring the beautiful outdoors... Otto fits right in! Yesterday I broke the "body work in progress" seal, so I'm very excited to do some work on him. BUUUT it can't take away from our quality CRUISIN time! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I've already scheduled to take Otto and a couple friends to the great mountains of West Virginia to the annual All GOod Music Festival in July--but that's by NO means the first time I shall camp with him. Planning on camping with a couple friends this weekend at Paint Creek as a matter of fact (in central rural Ohio).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>That's all I got for now! I feel like owning and being interested in classic cars is all too frequenty viewed as a "guy thing" so it makes me really happy that there's a group dedicated to chicks and our V-dubs! I'm on facebook so look me up, and if you're in the Cincinnati area and wanna hang out and get into some trouble, give me a shout and I'll do the same for you all :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Carrie</p> Introtag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2011-03-03:4450389:Topic:213042011-03-03T20:57:18.637ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laura
<p>Hi, I'm Janna (Jacobson)</p>
<br></br>
<p>1. I own/drive a VW type : Vanagon Syncro - 1990 named Pearl</p>
<br></br>
<p>2. First VW purchase year: 2008</p>
<br></br>
<p>3. Location including country: Bellingham, WA, USA</p>
<br></br>
<p>4. Where you have driven in your VW: Mostly Pacific NW, British Columbia, Central WA</p>
<br></br>
<p>5. Where you have camped in your VW, State Parks in WA, BC</p>
<br></br>
<p>6. Most fun moment(s): coffee in the morning without getting out of bed of course! :-)</p>
<br></br>
<p>7.…</p>
<p>Hi, I'm Janna (Jacobson)</p>
<br/>
<p>1. I own/drive a VW type : Vanagon Syncro - 1990 named Pearl</p>
<br/>
<p>2. First VW purchase year: 2008</p>
<br/>
<p>3. Location including country: Bellingham, WA, USA</p>
<br/>
<p>4. Where you have driven in your VW: Mostly Pacific NW, British Columbia, Central WA</p>
<br/>
<p>5. Where you have camped in your VW, State Parks in WA, BC</p>
<br/>
<p>6. Most fun moment(s): coffee in the morning without getting out of bed of course! :-)</p>
<br/>
<p>7. What got you started in the VW world: several of my friends up here own them and love them</p>
<br/>
<p>8. What you most love about having a VW: love to tinker, love the freedom</p>
<br/>
<p>9. What you'd like from this group: friendship, mechanical help?</p>
<br/>
<p>10. What you'd like to offer to this group: I am pretty good at electrical, body work</p>
<br/>
<p>11. Your personal likes/dislikes or something else about you: It does get old fixing the van all the time but it is a labor of love!</p>
<br/>
<p>12. Are you on Facebook? If yes, please post your name (a copy your page address, http:// ...is best), so we can find each other. Janna Jacobson in Bellingham should get you there</p>
<br/>
<p>13. Anything else? twitter: jkjacob123</p> Women Mechanicstag:vwcamperfamily.ning.com,2011-02-23:4450389:Topic:205252011-02-23T16:07:28.660ZLaura Annehttps://vwcamperfamily.ning.com/profile/Laura
<p>How many of you have ever seen a woman mechanic at a shop? </p>
<p>I NEVER have. I use to bring my cars to mechanics until I got an Oldsmobile 88 and started working on it myself and realized how easy it can be with the right tools and a friend. I have taken my Bus (Lenny) into shops a few times, but the longer I own my Bus the less likely I will ever go to a mechanic again.</p>
<p>I just moved to Aiken SC to be close to my family and I brought Lenny into a shop here before I drove to…</p>
<p>How many of you have ever seen a woman mechanic at a shop? </p>
<p>I NEVER have. I use to bring my cars to mechanics until I got an Oldsmobile 88 and started working on it myself and realized how easy it can be with the right tools and a friend. I have taken my Bus (Lenny) into shops a few times, but the longer I own my Bus the less likely I will ever go to a mechanic again.</p>
<p>I just moved to Aiken SC to be close to my family and I brought Lenny into a shop here before I drove to California and back. The mechanics there, one man in particular, laughed and said we would be lucky if we made it there. Well we did pretty easily actually, and didn't have any trouble on the way back. He over charged me for putting in points (typical) because I was less familiar with the engine than I am now. </p>
<p>Yesterday I went to the mechanics shop and told him that I drove to Cali and back with hardly any problems and I laughed at his surprise. I also asked him if he or anyone could rebuild my ATE break caliper for me. He replied, "They don't make repair kits anymore, you have to buy a new one." So I came home, read my Bently and ordered a rebuild kit from Bus Depot for $13.90. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now I am having a dilemma because the shop is hardly 1/2 a mile away, do I go back and tell the guy off (nicely) for trying to get me to come in and have a whole new around $200 caliper put in. Or do I leave it alone? </p>
<p> </p>
What are your experiences with mechanics? Do you find them sexist, like I unfortunately do? I mean come on, I am driving a 30 year old car. Obviously I know how to work on it...