Well, the heater foil hose that runs under the bus, bringing the cabin warm air from the engine, decided to shred last week when I drove Indy to work. A co-worker laughed at my tinfoil tail.
I didn't see much about the repair online or in the books. So I went to homedepot and got a replacement aluminum vent. The 4" measurement of the hose was a little off and so putting it on took a little more effort than expected. However -- it looks like brand new. And perhaps we'll even get some heat this winter.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Monday, September 18, 2006
Maintenance: check your spare
Indy got a flat tire a couple of weeks ago. Just sitting there. Well, just sitting there a day after being driven the first time in a couple of months. Bah. And the day before a planned camping trip.
The jack is spectacular. The rusted lugnuts not so much. AAA to the rescue. Even if the towtruck driver could have removed the flat, the spare was even worse. I don't we'd even looked at it in 2 years. Shame on us.
So here's a reminder -- check your spare.
OB Tire couldn't find anything wrong with the flat. They had to chip/saw/melt off one of the lugnuts that was completely stripped (thanks AAA?). An expensive lesson: let the pros do all the hard work. And so I had them loosen all the other tires so that I'd be able to get them off the next time.
The jack is spectacular. The rusted lugnuts not so much. AAA to the rescue. Even if the towtruck driver could have removed the flat, the spare was even worse. I don't we'd even looked at it in 2 years. Shame on us.
So here's a reminder -- check your spare.
OB Tire couldn't find anything wrong with the flat. They had to chip/saw/melt off one of the lugnuts that was completely stripped (thanks AAA?). An expensive lesson: let the pros do all the hard work. And so I had them loosen all the other tires so that I'd be able to get them off the next time.
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Inspiration?
Notes from the road is a site I think I'll need a lot of time to visit. He has some great stories about Baja. And great photos. And...
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Baja mileage
Mileage chart for Baja California.
Some potential places with 4 1/2 day drives each way:
SB - El Rosario, Gueno Negro, Mulege, before La Paz, Cabo
NB - Ciudad Constitucion, San Ignacio, Catavina, San Quntin, Home
| Place | From Last | Southbound | Northbound | |
| OceanBeach | -24 | -24 | 1109 | |
| Border | 0 | 0 | 1085 | |
| Rosarito | 17 | 17 | 1066 | |
| Ensendada | 53 | 70 | 1015 | |
| SantoTomas | 29 | 99 | 986 | |
| SanQuintin | 88 | 187 | 898 | |
| ElRosario | 44 | 231 | 854 | |
| Catavina | 75 | 306 | 779 | |
| BahiadeLosNagles | 64 | 370 | 715 | |
| GuerroNegro | 86 | 459 | 626 | |
| Vizcaino | 45 | 505 | 580 | |
| San Ignacio | 46 | 551 | 534 | |
| Santa Rosalia | 46 | 598 | 488 | |
| Mulege | 39 | 635 | 450 | |
| Loreto | 86 | 721 | 364 | |
| Cuidad Constitucion | 92 | 813 | 272 | |
| La Paz | 133 | 946 | 139 | |
| Los Barriles | 70 | 1017 | 68 | |
| San Jose del Cabo | 49 | 1066 | 19 | |
| Cabo San Lucas | 19 | 1085 | 0 |
Some potential places with 4 1/2 day drives each way:
SB - El Rosario, Gueno Negro, Mulege, before La Paz, Cabo
NB - Ciudad Constitucion, San Ignacio, Catavina, San Quntin, Home
Book: Into a Desert Place
Graham Machintosh walked 3000 miles around the coast of Baja California. The book describes his adventures. Driving a VW camper isn't the same as walking. But I feel a little bit like our upcoming adventure to Cabo has the same sense of awe and paralyzing fear. So the best thing to do is to start planning and gathering information.
Fortunately, I think the biggest fear I have is that I will like the trip so much I'll want to go again and for much longer.
For now, how about an interactive map of Baja
P.S. I realize I haven't actually mentioned the plan here. We are hoping to drive down highway 1 from San Diego to Cabo and back around Christmas this year. Interested in joining us? Have you previously done this -- and have advice to offer? Expect to hear a lot more about it.
Fortunately, I think the biggest fear I have is that I will like the trip so much I'll want to go again and for much longer.
For now, how about an interactive map of Baja
P.S. I realize I haven't actually mentioned the plan here. We are hoping to drive down highway 1 from San Diego to Cabo and back around Christmas this year. Interested in joining us? Have you previously done this -- and have advice to offer? Expect to hear a lot more about it.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Classes
I think I actually need proper training. So here's what SDCC has to offer for the summer (6/21-8/15):
AutoTech 53: AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTORY/SAFETY. MW (9-11:40)
Maybe I should just look to see what books are required and go the self-study route. And take apart Indy from top to bottom as the lab.
Suggestions?
AutoTech 53: AUTOMOTIVE INTRODUCTORY/SAFETY. MW (9-11:40)
Maybe I should just look to see what books are required and go the self-study route. And take apart Indy from top to bottom as the lab.
Suggestions?
Trip Report: Borrego Palm Canyon (again)
This will be a fairly short report until I get the photos. And then it will likely just be another one line with links.
We left San Diego at 7pm heading out I-8 to CA-163 to I-15 and Poway/Scripps Parkway. There are a couple of good hills to go up to get to Ramona. Indy did great and there are no reports of being passed by trucks carrying portapotties. Not this time.
The weather beyond Ramona was very foggy with rain. Surprise for April but instead of the 93deg in Borrego on Thursday, the forecast for Saturday was in the 70s. We picked up extra fuel and butter in Ramona before heading around the mountains to S-2 and then down S-22 and Montezuma Grade. We got into the campground around 9:15 and the sign read "Campground Full." Thanks Sophia for planning ahead and getting reservations.
We met around friends, gave a tour of Indy, made smores, and went to bed. Tender and I went on hike to the visitor center in the morning on Saturday. She was a little too warm but didn't refuse to keep going. Rather, she was panting louder than Indy in second gear going up a hill. We all survived.
The weather was indeed great -- upper 70's perhaps -- and I went for a two hour cross-country trek Saturday. I didn't see any Anza-Borrego sheep but people reported them in Palm Canyon. The stars in the desert were brilliant; at least until the moon came out and scared them all away.
We headed out fairly early (8:30) on Sunday because the sun was up at 6:15 and the kids in the next site over started hunting for Easter eggs at 7. We were back in the city around 10:30. Indy passed through the 42K mark on this trip.
We left San Diego at 7pm heading out I-8 to CA-163 to I-15 and Poway/Scripps Parkway. There are a couple of good hills to go up to get to Ramona. Indy did great and there are no reports of being passed by trucks carrying portapotties. Not this time.
The weather beyond Ramona was very foggy with rain. Surprise for April but instead of the 93deg in Borrego on Thursday, the forecast for Saturday was in the 70s. We picked up extra fuel and butter in Ramona before heading around the mountains to S-2 and then down S-22 and Montezuma Grade. We got into the campground around 9:15 and the sign read "Campground Full." Thanks Sophia for planning ahead and getting reservations.
We met around friends, gave a tour of Indy, made smores, and went to bed. Tender and I went on hike to the visitor center in the morning on Saturday. She was a little too warm but didn't refuse to keep going. Rather, she was panting louder than Indy in second gear going up a hill. We all survived.
The weather was indeed great -- upper 70's perhaps -- and I went for a two hour cross-country trek Saturday. I didn't see any Anza-Borrego sheep but people reported them in Palm Canyon. The stars in the desert were brilliant; at least until the moon came out and scared them all away.
We headed out fairly early (8:30) on Sunday because the sun was up at 6:15 and the kids in the next site over started hunting for Easter eggs at 7. We were back in the city around 10:30. Indy passed through the 42K mark on this trip.
Repairs: Starter
Well, Indy keeps getting new parts on her schedule. I got stuck at Taichi on Thursday night. The guesses were low battery (but jump starting didn't help), starter, or fuel pump (previously replaced.) We had her towed into Ocean Beach. Rich's Auto Repair reported that it was the starter and had Indy back up and running in time for a weekend camping trip to the desert Friday evening.
I cried when I was stranded. I smiled like it was my birthday when I picked her up. I think she brings us as much value as stress. She's now gone over 42K miles: we don't know if it is 142,000 or 242,000 and potentially 342,000. She is 30 afterall. I wonder how many other drivers have a little celebration every 100 miles when the odometer turns to the year the car was created. We do! Celebrate the Independence of '76!
I cried when I was stranded. I smiled like it was my birthday when I picked her up. I think she brings us as much value as stress. She's now gone over 42K miles: we don't know if it is 142,000 or 242,000 and potentially 342,000. She is 30 afterall. I wonder how many other drivers have a little celebration every 100 miles when the odometer turns to the year the car was created. We do! Celebrate the Independence of '76!
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Window repair
The driver side window is finally repaired. $10 part and a bit of work. The weld broke, causing the window extra stress, the caused the rusting support to fail. So now would be a good time to start thinking about a camping trip!
Anyone have suggestions for mounting an portable gas can onto the back. We're going to need it for the trip down Baja.
Anyone have suggestions for mounting an portable gas can onto the back. We're going to need it for the trip down Baja.
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Baja California
We went to Cabo (by air not by VW) for Christmas. My parents have a timeshare at a resort. We'd talked about driving but didn't have time to make it down Baja from San Diego. We had a great time and our definitely considering driving next year.
Expect to see lots of posts and other information as we discover it.
Post a comment if you have done the drive or might consider driving down soon.
Expect to see lots of posts and other information as we discover it.
Post a comment if you have done the drive or might consider driving down soon.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
ExtremePumpkins.com - Extreme Pumpkin Carving
ExtremePumpkins.com is a little strange. But enjoyable.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Camping in Anza Borrego
Day 1: Getting there
Sophia picked me up in Indy at work on Friday for a weekend adventure in Anza Borrego. We headed up I-15 to Scripps Poway Parkway and its steep hills up and over to S-67. I was expecting traffic on the first portion. But not into Ramona. Yikes. After waiting in traffic from Woodson Mountain, we finally connected with S-78 in Ramona.
After a quick stop to pick up forgotten groceries, we headed up more hills and twisty roads into Santa Ysabel. We didn't stop for Dudley's bread but turned north onto S-79 to avoid the hill up into Julian. At the junction for S-2 we pulled over to put on jackets and switch drivers. And wouldn't you know it, Debbie and Wendy pull in right behind us. Almost as if we'd caravanned (no offense to vans.)
After a short jog on the S-2 to the S-22 in a parade of campers and pickups towing off-road vehicles later we were finally on our last leg into Borrego Springs. But first the truck in front of us lost its trailer going over the cow grates and sent a shower of sparks flying. We had to go down the Montezuma grade after dark. The brakes held out great and in fact we nearly caught up to the speedy SUVs that passed us near the top by the time we got to the bottom.
The Borrego Palm Canyon Campground is just at the bottom of the mountains, under Indian Head at the foot of the Palm Canyon. We drove around for a bit looking for the ideal site and ended up choosing #70. The evening weather was spectacular and we had a bonus shooting star display while we ate dinner around a campfire.
Day 2: Camping
We woke up early (7am) to see the sun rising over Fonts Point. After breakfast, everyone got a tour of the bus as noone had seen the inside of one before. It is kind of difficult to explain how the bed folds down and how one gets upstairs.
The rest of the day was a typical day hanging out at a desert campground. Well, except that Debbie potentially broke her wrist when she fell on the hike up the canyon to see the palms. She wasn't in much pain and so hopefully it is just a sprain. The medical facilities in Borrego Springs didn't have an x-ray machine.
Don and Lorrie made it around sunset. They only stayed until dessert though before driving back. They got lucky too and saw some of the shooting stars.
More perfect weather if not a little too warm. I wish we had an extra tarp that we could have hung up over the covered picnic table for shade. Our stand alone shelter worked though even if we had to play chase to stay in the cool.
Day 3: Getting home the long way
Another sunrise. This time at 6am though because the time changed at midnight.
I wanted Sophia to see the Salton Sea. Rebecca was going to try to go mountain biking. And Debbie (along with Wendy) were off back to the city to check out her wrist. So we all left the campground and went our own direction.
We kept heading East on S-22 past the badlands into Imperial County towards the Salton Sea. Going this way added another county to our map (California:Imperial). The aggriculture area makes it feel like a different country. But the oddest bit are all the off-road vehicles. We saw lots of campers pulling trailers of ATVs and motocycles. And a few trails of dust.
The badlands just before the county border really do intrigue me. I ought to plan a trip with someone in a jeep to explore them. Or perhaps I need to get my mountain bike in riding shape (and moreso myself) and go exploring.
We didn't actually go to the shoreline, nor even get out of the bus at the sea. Instead we just headed south on the divided S-86 to Westmorland, Brawley, and El Centro. We came down the 86 into El Centro. We should have gone to US-111 for the divided highway.
We picked up a fresh tank of gas ($2.85/gal) and hoped to get real Mexican food without much luck. Looking at the map now, perhaps we should have gone into Mexico. We could have picked up perhaps two Mexican states (Sonora and Baja California Norte) if we'd planned a little better. Or at least proper food in Mexicali or Tecate.
Instead, we took the blue road (S-80) from the 3 building town of Seeley through Plaster City (a factory and off-roader camp) to Coyote and Ocotillo, looking for the place the locals would eat. We eventually had a picnic in Ocotillo because we just couldn't find Mexican food.
And then we got onto Interstate 8 to head up above 4000ft again into San Diego county and the 87 miles to Ocean Beach. One very interesting new bit along this stretch was the wind generator farm near Live Oak Springs and the Campo Indian Reservation.
We changed drivers in Lakeside and headed into the city. We would have been heading directly home except we needed a detour up I-15 to my office to pick up my car. We were home and unpacked and the dog bathed by 4pm.
Distances:
Sophia picked me up in Indy at work on Friday for a weekend adventure in Anza Borrego. We headed up I-15 to Scripps Poway Parkway and its steep hills up and over to S-67. I was expecting traffic on the first portion. But not into Ramona. Yikes. After waiting in traffic from Woodson Mountain, we finally connected with S-78 in Ramona.
After a quick stop to pick up forgotten groceries, we headed up more hills and twisty roads into Santa Ysabel. We didn't stop for Dudley's bread but turned north onto S-79 to avoid the hill up into Julian. At the junction for S-2 we pulled over to put on jackets and switch drivers. And wouldn't you know it, Debbie and Wendy pull in right behind us. Almost as if we'd caravanned (no offense to vans.)
After a short jog on the S-2 to the S-22 in a parade of campers and pickups towing off-road vehicles later we were finally on our last leg into Borrego Springs. But first the truck in front of us lost its trailer going over the cow grates and sent a shower of sparks flying. We had to go down the Montezuma grade after dark. The brakes held out great and in fact we nearly caught up to the speedy SUVs that passed us near the top by the time we got to the bottom.
The Borrego Palm Canyon Campground is just at the bottom of the mountains, under Indian Head at the foot of the Palm Canyon. We drove around for a bit looking for the ideal site and ended up choosing #70. The evening weather was spectacular and we had a bonus shooting star display while we ate dinner around a campfire.
Day 2: Camping
We woke up early (7am) to see the sun rising over Fonts Point. After breakfast, everyone got a tour of the bus as noone had seen the inside of one before. It is kind of difficult to explain how the bed folds down and how one gets upstairs.
The rest of the day was a typical day hanging out at a desert campground. Well, except that Debbie potentially broke her wrist when she fell on the hike up the canyon to see the palms. She wasn't in much pain and so hopefully it is just a sprain. The medical facilities in Borrego Springs didn't have an x-ray machine.
Don and Lorrie made it around sunset. They only stayed until dessert though before driving back. They got lucky too and saw some of the shooting stars.
More perfect weather if not a little too warm. I wish we had an extra tarp that we could have hung up over the covered picnic table for shade. Our stand alone shelter worked though even if we had to play chase to stay in the cool.
Day 3: Getting home the long way
Another sunrise. This time at 6am though because the time changed at midnight.
I wanted Sophia to see the Salton Sea. Rebecca was going to try to go mountain biking. And Debbie (along with Wendy) were off back to the city to check out her wrist. So we all left the campground and went our own direction.
We kept heading East on S-22 past the badlands into Imperial County towards the Salton Sea. Going this way added another county to our map (California:Imperial). The aggriculture area makes it feel like a different country. But the oddest bit are all the off-road vehicles. We saw lots of campers pulling trailers of ATVs and motocycles. And a few trails of dust.
The badlands just before the county border really do intrigue me. I ought to plan a trip with someone in a jeep to explore them. Or perhaps I need to get my mountain bike in riding shape (and moreso myself) and go exploring.
We didn't actually go to the shoreline, nor even get out of the bus at the sea. Instead we just headed south on the divided S-86 to Westmorland, Brawley, and El Centro. We came down the 86 into El Centro. We should have gone to US-111 for the divided highway.
We picked up a fresh tank of gas ($2.85/gal) and hoped to get real Mexican food without much luck. Looking at the map now, perhaps we should have gone into Mexico. We could have picked up perhaps two Mexican states (Sonora and Baja California Norte) if we'd planned a little better. Or at least proper food in Mexicali or Tecate.
Instead, we took the blue road (S-80) from the 3 building town of Seeley through Plaster City (a factory and off-roader camp) to Coyote and Ocotillo, looking for the place the locals would eat. We eventually had a picnic in Ocotillo because we just couldn't find Mexican food.
And then we got onto Interstate 8 to head up above 4000ft again into San Diego county and the 87 miles to Ocean Beach. One very interesting new bit along this stretch was the wind generator farm near Live Oak Springs and the Campo Indian Reservation.
We changed drivers in Lakeside and headed into the city. We would have been heading directly home except we needed a detour up I-15 to my office to pick up my car. We were home and unpacked and the dog bathed by 4pm.
Distances:
To work: 17 miles
To Santa Ysabel: 40 miles
To Borrego Springs: 36 miles
To Salton Sea: 27 miles
To El Centro: 52 miles
To Ocotillo: 27 miles
To home: 90 miles
Total: 289 miles
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Overland in a VW Camper (Westfalia) through Mexico, Central America, South America, and Africa
VW Vagabonds went 3 years, 60,000 miles, 24 countries, 4 continents, and 3200 gallons of gas in a VW bus. Amazing.
They are speaking in a variety of places in Southern California. Here's the schedule. Or find them at the Ocean Beach Farmer's Market on Wednesday evenings.
They are speaking in a variety of places in Southern California. Here's the schedule. Or find them at the Ocean Beach Farmer's Market on Wednesday evenings.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
wipers
Sophia picked up windshield wipers the other day. The clerk suggested 369 mm ones. Too short. We need 394 mm (16 inches). The actual part number is N-16R. Now if it rains, we'll have streak free visibility.
No rain until November please!
No rain until November please!
Friday, September 16, 2005
VintageBus.Com - 1949 to 1967 VW Buses
VintageBus.com looks like a gold mine for how to information. The site is specific for the earlier split window bus (1949-1967) but still has information that applies.
In particular -- I found the elusive wiring diagram here. So when it comes to completely rewiring Indy, I'll get a giant plotter printout of the 1MB file and lots of spare time.
In particular -- I found the elusive wiring diagram here. So when it comes to completely rewiring Indy, I'll get a giant plotter printout of the 1MB file and lots of spare time.
A Northwest Trip
On the Road to Inuvik probably deserves a permanent link.
"On July 22nd, 1996, a dozen Volkswagen busses left Vancouver on a journey northwards to Inuvik, in Canada's Northwest Territories. In 23 days the drivers covered 8,424 kilometers, 2,703 on unpaved roads. The busses include everything from a 1965 split-window bus to Volkswagen's newest EuroVan camper."
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Seatbelts
The replacement seatbelts arrived today. I don't remember where we found them on the web. I haven't put them in yet -- and can't this weekend since I'm going out of town. But I'm really happy they arrived before our Big Sur trip.
Monday, September 12, 2005
More repairs
If you haven't already figured it out, constant repairs are necessary for a 30 year old vehicle. And these things are most noticable after a trip and the motivation to fix them highest upon the return too.
Things improved:
sliding door was sticking -- WD40 to the rescue
driving door lock mechanism -- took it off, WD40, replaced, works now
door flying open while driving -- likely fixed by above
ordered new seatbelts
Open items:
oil change
find and stop battery drain
new windshield wipers
attach cooler/table more firmly to side
speakers
back running light (intermittent)
replace seatbelts
another pass at removing stickers
door panel trim and lots of latches
missing screws throughout
But don't get me wrong, she's running really nicely and looks like she'll be up for our drive up the California coast to Big Sur and another desert trip.
Beep beep!
Things improved:
sliding door was sticking -- WD40 to the rescue
driving door lock mechanism -- took it off, WD40, replaced, works now
door flying open while driving -- likely fixed by above
ordered new seatbelts
Open items:
oil change
find and stop battery drain
new windshield wipers
attach cooler/table more firmly to side
speakers
back running light (intermittent)
replace seatbelts
another pass at removing stickers
door panel trim and lots of latches
missing screws throughout
But don't get me wrong, she's running really nicely and looks like she'll be up for our drive up the California coast to Big Sur and another desert trip.
Beep beep!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Adventure Sports Magazine and Ocean Beach
"Each beach has its own personality. If you want to hang out with the hippie set and see one of the world's largest concentrations of VW vans, head to Ocean Beach. Pacific and Mission Beaches host a younger crowd, with lively nightlife scenes. La Jolla is the spot for wine and cheese and mingling with the millionaires."
Adventure Sports Magazine | Feature Articles
Guess where we live?
Adventure Sports Magazine | Feature Articles
Guess where we live?
Sunday, September 04, 2005
New curtains
Today Indy got new curtains. Sophia ordered a curtain pattern on e-bay. After a quick trip the fabric store to get matieral and thread, it was time to get down to work. Indy now has new back and side curtains. They are a blue and off-white stripe/check pattern ... with little curtain ties to match.
We also did some touch up painting on the wood surfaces below the seats. Bob gave Indy a good cleaning with the Dyson and a damp cloth. We hit the built-in cooler box with some Lysol wipes. So, lots of sprucing for Indy today. She looks a little bit more sparkly.
Next weekend we will head to the Laguna Mountains for two nights of camping, and next month it's the big trip up the coast to Big Sur! Yep, the VW adventures are begining.
We also did some touch up painting on the wood surfaces below the seats. Bob gave Indy a good cleaning with the Dyson and a damp cloth. We hit the built-in cooler box with some Lysol wipes. So, lots of sprucing for Indy today. She looks a little bit more sparkly.
Next weekend we will head to the Laguna Mountains for two nights of camping, and next month it's the big trip up the coast to Big Sur! Yep, the VW adventures are begining.
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