Bravo Neil!
Thanks,
            Miguel

On Tue, Apr 28, 2009 at 10:38 PM, Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Great pix.  Nice trip!  Glad to see a Westy in its natural habitat.
>
> Stephen
>
> --- On Tue, 4/28/09, neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> From: neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Neil's WA/OR/09 Trip
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 4:02 PM
>
> Hi all.
>
> 3500 KM's over 11 days. From Vancouver B.C. to Fishermens Bend east,
> south, west, then home.
>
> Engine purred, no DTC's and only had start issues 2x. (not sure why.
> takes several sessions of cranking, then is fine. Rarely happens) Used
> very little oil. Brakes worked ok, but need to improve
> suspension/wheels so it's not as suceptable to windy conditions.
> Learned more about what I need in terms of camping etc gear, but all
> gear performed as it should.
>
>
> pics:
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/WAOR09#
>
> Highlights:
>
> Yes you can sleep in a "Stop and Shop" parking lot. (yah I'm big on
> planning ahead ;)
> Great weather though sun spotty near end
> Not too cold, though there was snow higher up (5K Ft. + CG near Odell Bluff)
> As usual the OR coast was outstanding. Windy though.
> Met some great people. And some interesting people. Just after
> sundown, while trying to discern between what was private or USFS land
> south of Applegate, took a chance driving up a nice *steep* potholed
> hill. Met a "miner" who in explaining differences in local area,
> started in on his life story. Anyway, helpful none the less. Managed
> to bang my engine carrier, and lug the sh** out of my engine getting
> started on such a steep hill, in leaving his spot, but all was ok.
> (Yoko tires helped)
> Bear Creek  off of 42 (USFS IIRC) has a nice little creek side stop
> over. 24 hour max.
> Cape Blanca SP has some nice horse trails that served nicely as bike
> trails. Though when testing your bike braking skills, maybe not so
> much front brake. (broke my helmut. Glad I was wearing it). Beach
> access is a bit of a climb.
> USFS CG's along 101 priced higher than OR SP CG's. The SP CG's were
> much better value IMO.
> USFS CG's on rural hwy from Ruch to Applegate were closed (seasonal).
> Lot's of dirt road. I found it to be a waste of time. I gather some
> USFS CG's don't open til May 1 or later.
> Dispersed CG's near Kitson Springs (outside of Oakridge OR) seemed
> "hinky" to me.
> One Staples I tried in Olympia had free WiFi. Maybe all do?
> Riding your bike into head wind on wet beach sand, is difficult.  ;)
> Rice-o-Roni and cubed chicken is tasty.
> Marty at Foreign Auto in Coos Bay, is a helpful fellow and seems quite
> well versed in VW's and Vanagons.
>
>
> That's about it. Had an awesome time.
>
> Neil.
>
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>
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>
>
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>