Since I finally got the Vanagon running well again about a week ago (thanks to the help of dedicated IAC members and my good friend Lanval), I decided it was time to take a trip up to Idyllwild, go camping, and also do some off-road testing of the van on dicey Forest Service roads. I was near the Lake Hemet/Thomas Mt. area, for those familiar with this area.
I've done a lot of back road driving with my Vanagon in the past, and although it is not as capable as the older buses, I have never ceased to be impressed by its capabilities. I always get a kick out of passing jacked-up Jeeps and other 4x4 trucks on these roads, because the expressions on drivers' faces can be priceless. One time about 4 years ago I was driving in a similar area on a pretty bad Forest Service road and I passed a huge SUV that was all decked out with "offroad capable" accessories and the guy driving it looked at my van, and then looked at me like he was personally offended that my little orange van with a peace sign on the front was doing just as well on these terrible roads as his $50,000 toy truck. It's like I completely destroyed his masculinity at that moment.
In any case, I didn't take too many pictures of the trip, but I thought I would upload a few photos for fun. I don't remember the exact location (it was a numbered Forest Service road about 8 miles off of the nearest paved road), but it was very beautiful and we didn't run into another person all day once we set up camp.
Me and the orangemobile parked in a field
My beautiful girlfriend Tadj
Beautiful day!
Stove at night
Until next time!
