Travel

Best Camping Spots: Vamping

The Eurovan is the ground-averse camper's silver bullet.

By Brangien Davis July 1, 2010

vancamping_0

This article originally appeared in the July 2010 issue of Seattle magazine.

When my husband, Daniel, and I go camping for the weekend, there are no tents involved. We do not drag Therm-a-Rests or tarps out of the garage; we do not strap carefully rolled sleeping bags onto backpacks. Instead, we pile into our VW Eurovan and head for nearby wilderness to experience a night or two of nature—all within a comfort painstakingly designed by German automakers. We call it vamping. 

The van is perfect for quick, low-maintenance outings, where day hikes and river strolling are on the agenda but sleeping on the ground is not. The fridge under the single backseat has room for the essentials (beer, wine, PB&J fodder), a bench seat folds down into a comfortable double bed, and the pop-top roof can either serve as an “upstairs” sleeping area or an airy cathedral ceiling. Plus there’s plenty of storage in case I can’t decide which shoes to bring.

 

On this outing, we headed about 100 miles east of Seattle on I-90, just past Cle Elum, to Teanaway Campground, a pretty drive-in site alongside the Teanaway River. The free, no-reservations (and no running water) spot served us well as an easy escape from the city. The sun shone, the river rushed, the ponderosa pines whispered in the breeze…and from 8 to 10 p.m. the campers across the way blasted Bob Seger. Thankfully, that old-time rock ’n’ roll had ceased by the time we let the campfire die out, slid the van door closed and tucked in to our auto accommodations. 

Captions: The fridge under the seat keeps things cool; sandwiches are staple foods when dining in the van (wine is nice too). We may forget kindling but we never forget the Kindle! High-tech reading in the fold-out bed “downstairs.” Daniel keeps the back of the van shipshape—supplies are organized and ready for takeoff; upstairs sleeping quarters are high and tight. 

Originally published in July 2010

Follow Us

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World's Best  

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World’s Best  

Sparkling red and strewn with sea stacks, Washington's rugged shoreline stands out

Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Ruby Beach is known for its towering sea stacks sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, and its thriving tide pools.

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

New study pinpoints visitors, dollars in Washington state

A study for the Pacific Whale Watch Association by Martin Associates finds that whale watching expeditions in Washington state create $119.1 million in economic value and support 1,125 jobs...

You Better Belize It

You Better Belize It

Fly nonstop from Seattle and enjoy the jungle, the sea, and everything else the country has to offer

With its colonial past as British Honduras, Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region. But the blend of European, Central American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean influences doesn’t even begin to describe Belize’s unique potpourri of cultures. The landscape is dotted with numerous Mayan temples, both ready to visit and still under excavation. The

Direct, Connect, Reflect

Direct, Connect, Reflect

It’s easier than ever to reach these sun-splashed sensations from Seattle

Need to escape Seattle this winter? Need some inspiration to pack a carry-on and cash in those miles? Here are four nonstop flights for nonstop escape. In June, Alaska Airlines announced new nonstop service to Nassau, Bahamas, beginning Dec. 15. Board one of these flights at 9 a.m. and land just six hours later. Even…