tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post1045538713316031355..comments2023-08-25T02:14:36.719-07:00Comments on Astral Nomads: Eurovan Special Editiongerry boydhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08404762839765626232noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-84328179621350532212014-07-26T06:18:53.319-07:002014-07-26T06:18:53.319-07:00Very informative and inspirational blog. I see you...Very informative and inspirational blog. I see you guys haven't posted in a long time. Hope all is well. The pictures are beautiful. Hope to hear an update from y'all. Regards from a fellow camper enthusiast :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16154230925936495412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-73665367968449956222014-03-27T14:13:30.250-07:002014-03-27T14:13:30.250-07:00We drove our 99 eurovan camper from Buffalo NY to ...We drove our 99 eurovan camper from Buffalo NY to Chicago to see Patty Griffin and Anais Mitchell in January. Camped in a parking lot acoss the street from the club in the shadow of Wrigley Field. Camping in downtown Chicago?! Yep. VW made it so.!Mary Lounoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-16460064757913878542013-09-07T10:46:49.000-07:002013-09-07T10:46:49.000-07:00Nice blog
tomNice blog<br /> tomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-76946800805993445052013-05-11T10:46:27.964-07:002013-05-11T10:46:27.964-07:00The pop-up collapsed into 4" by 4" by 4....The pop-up collapsed into 4" by 4" by 4.5' shape we laid on the floor behind the front seats while in transit. No grill.gerry boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404762839765626232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-48551028670798773082013-04-12T19:49:15.833-07:002013-04-12T19:49:15.833-07:00I like the bike rack! How/where did u pack the ea...I like the bike rack! How/where did u pack the easy up canopy while traveling? Also, did u take a grill? If so, what kind and how/where did u pack it while traveling? Great blog post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04261564503381312931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-13205824651048139082011-03-15T17:09:12.303-07:002011-03-15T17:09:12.303-07:00@Ken: Bien. Muchas Gracias. We usually bunk out in...@Ken: Bien. Muchas Gracias. We usually bunk out in a cheap motel with Wifi in between camping jaunts. Either that or we hit Starbucks or McDonalds (but avoid the food at the latter). We're gonna camp in southern NM at City of Rocks State Park before heading into AZ. Thanks for the tip on San Xavier. We'll be staying in Tucson for a few days so we'll try to check that out. I actually put together this post so you could see the Eurovan in action. Hope it helped and hope it got you psyched for some adventure!gerry boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404762839765626232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-12737274483595608302011-03-15T17:01:55.154-07:002011-03-15T17:01:55.154-07:00Gerry and Wendy. Hola, Que tal? How and where do y...Gerry and Wendy. Hola, Que tal? How and where do you find the WIFI while on the road? I am glad you find it as often as you do. The desert will be beautiful when the blossoms come out. Sunshine and warmth, we are envious. It is supposed to rain in N.Cal Sierras for the next 2 weeks. I guess that's why it's green. When you get to Arizona, but don't hurry to get there, south of Tuscon is an old mission, San Xavier, the white dove of the desert. You'll love it, particularly at sunset.It is beautiful. My G,G,G,Grandmother taught school there in 1864. A very spiritual place. More later, Sierra KenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-1824556119725636312011-03-12T05:43:53.831-08:002011-03-12T05:43:53.831-08:00@Erik: glad to hear that. New edition coming tomor...@Erik: glad to hear that. New edition coming tomorrow. We've been off the wifi grid.?gerry boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404762839765626232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-79483045726936893842011-03-11T22:19:11.664-08:002011-03-11T22:19:11.664-08:00Your blog never fails to inspire us.Your blog never fails to inspire us.Erikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15635610912407767554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-48512216491280965942011-03-10T06:49:30.474-08:002011-03-10T06:49:30.474-08:00@ellen: we're but camping so no wifi. Next pos...@ellen: we're but camping so no wifi. Next post in a few days. Lovegerry boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404762839765626232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-84257283829053337532011-03-10T03:55:27.288-08:002011-03-10T03:55:27.288-08:00hey you guys, hope you are all feeling better. mis...hey you guys, hope you are all feeling better. missing my daily read with am coffee!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06793969394222762026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-34481772518218787312011-03-09T11:22:11.306-08:002011-03-09T11:22:11.306-08:00@Ken: Not having the second gives about six inches...@Ken: Not having the second gives about six inches between the back of the driver's seat and the first table. I slid in the end of screen house and put the folding pen in there and then move the driver's seat back to snug it. We never sleep up top. Seems like getting up there would be a challenge. On top of the front, there's a shhllow recess will tubular tie-down bars in an oval. I have my tent up there, wrapped in a tarp and secured with standard strap tie-downs. The fridge runs on the aux battery (for in transit use mostly because the battery won't last at that long) and AC if we're at a camp with electric and propane if there's no electric. We use it for drinks, meat, cheese, yogurt, etc. It does not have a freezer but it stays pretty damn cold. When we travel, the space behind the rear seat holds my guitar and three backpacks, the rear seat holds our clothes duffels, and the floor holds Otis and various dry goods. We usually stop for groceries right before the campground and then the floor is full. In travel it's usually half to two thirds full. Yeah, that sunset was amazing.gerry boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404762839765626232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-28918681568510084282011-03-09T08:54:09.489-08:002011-03-09T08:54:09.489-08:00Your picture "The night the sky exploded"...Your picture "The night the sky exploded" Is a spectacular...spectacular photo. It takes me there. Thanks. KenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-11759275983412984232011-03-09T08:35:35.431-08:002011-03-09T08:35:35.431-08:00Help, cyber space ate my blog…2 times. Maybe it’s ...Help, cyber space ate my blog…2 times. Maybe it’s too large. Thanks Gerry for all the infor. about your eurovan and the subtle tricks you have used. My budget says to wait on lifting it, even though the skid plate below the LP tank is already bent. What do you put in the space of the missing table, behind the seat? You have no mattresses above? Which means you don’t ever sleep up there? Is that OK? What is the portable ice box used for? Do you fill it with food/ice? Looks like a handy outside table. Do all eurovans have the recessed spot on top where you have the tent? How do you strap it down? I haven’t been up there. By the way…if at some future time you have something you want to say and not have the world listen in, I have an email address I would put on your blog and you could email to us, if there is a need. The delivery of our van has been put off until next week because of repairs before purchase is complete. We are anxious, but you understand that. Maybe we should go to…Florida…and wait. : >. If you think of other tips in packing, space saving, devices to purchase, etc. let us know. How much stuff is on the floor or bed during traveling? I’m headed back into your Eurovan Special Edition and look at the picts again, also the beautiful sunsets. As anonymous as ever, KenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-75040340834019896172011-03-09T06:37:15.302-08:002011-03-09T06:37:15.302-08:00@Justin: Cheers. Did a lot a cube time myself. G...@Justin: Cheers. Did a lot a cube time myself. Glad we're able to provide a moment of vicarious escape. Camping in NM for five nights so no updates for bit. Keep your dream alive!gerry boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404762839765626232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-84653791390065168742011-03-09T06:09:34.801-08:002011-03-09T06:09:34.801-08:00Justin from Kansas City here. Found your blog via ...Justin from Kansas City here. Found your blog via reddit and have made it a daily read each morning while I sip my coffee. Love all of the great pictures you guys take. I am just a young pup (37) but hope to be able to travel like you two one day. Keep up the great work with the blog. Those of us confined to cubicles each day are living through your adventures! Happy Trails!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-82385025925829631712011-03-07T06:16:53.106-08:002011-03-07T06:16:53.106-08:00Ken: I bought my van from Gowesty.com, where they ...Ken: I bought my van from Gowesty.com, where they lift and level all eurovans prior to sale. They don't like the clearance on the original but, frankly, unless you're doing heavy off-road stuff, I'm not sure that's a concern. Also, when Winnebago did the interior it added a lot of weight to the driver's side, so they level it off with the lift to compensate. Not shilling for gowesty (although they're pretty cool and they're in CA. And they have a lot of VW campervan articles on-line) but I think they offer that as a service. Not sure what you're budget is. With the swing-away rack, the bikes are not a hassle. We don't ride as much as we thought but it's nice to have them when we want to. As far as 'stuff', we really packed tight. Since it's all we own, didn't have that much of a choice. We took more towels than we needed is all I can think off. The couple of space savers I employ: 1) I only took one table. that gives extra space behind the drivers seat; 2) I removed the second mattress and lay our sleeping bags flat with the pillows in the upper berth. I use a long stick to unroll them front to back. the top closes on that fine. Please, feel free to ask anything else. Cheers. Gerrygerry boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404762839765626232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-62451939696312627052011-03-06T23:10:03.282-08:002011-03-06T23:10:03.282-08:00Gerry, Our 1997 "new" van is a camper. ...Gerry, Our 1997 "new" van is a camper. We are trying to learn from other eurovan camper people what to take or not take, space is tight. We are looking for tricks based on experience. Very sad about your engine. Looks like you have a lift in the suspension. Ours is very, very low. I'm concerned. Suggestions on lift? Hope you "three" are feeling better now. We took bikes across country in the '70. Didn't use them enough. Are the bikes useful enough for the hassel? Loved the photos, and writing, great sunsets. Enjoy N.M, and Arizona. Guess I'm Anonyous, KenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-13804602269551099012011-03-06T22:19:56.061-08:002011-03-06T22:19:56.061-08:00#Ken: Thanks Ken. We have jettisoned a few things ...#Ken: Thanks Ken. We have jettisoned a few things along they way but I can't remember exactly what. Not much really. Yeah, Big Bend was awesome. We don't have a potty although we've peed a few times in a bowl in an emergency. Ha! Is your new van a camper? Not sure when we'll be around N. Cal (maybe june?) but keep watching the blog and repeat the offer we we get close. We'd love to stop and say hello. Sounds lovely there.gerry boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404762839765626232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-20679645908887880682011-03-06T20:46:38.186-08:002011-03-06T20:46:38.186-08:00Gerry, Wendy, and Otis. Found your blog today 3 6...Gerry, Wendy, and Otis. Found your blog today 3 6 11, Loved all of your adventures and writings. We traveled like you back in the '70, cross country in a van for...a long time. Your blog is wonderful and fascinating. You are only other people we know who have traveled in Big Bend. We loved it also, spent a month in West Texas. Has your equip list changed since starting? I didn't find a mention of a port-a-pottie? Suggestions? Yesterday we bought a 97 Eurovan and are planning to do it again. We live in the Sierras of N. Cal. in the woods, w/ a meadow and a creek.Come visit. KenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-38293141821768718052011-03-06T17:11:01.355-08:002011-03-06T17:11:01.355-08:00@Debra: You got that right!@Debra: You got that right!gerry boydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404762839765626232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1340068307133602145.post-69736972627406549002011-03-06T14:56:41.566-08:002011-03-06T14:56:41.566-08:00Trusty Eurovan! I bet it's pretty good on gas ...Trusty Eurovan! I bet it's pretty good on gas too, at least compared to a Winnebago.Debra She Who Seekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01845703092794695023noreply@blogger.com