To all VW enthusiast of camping in our VW vans last weekend at Watkins Glen NY - A big THANK YOU for participating and being one of the 87 VW at this event. Volks from all neighboring states and provinces participated. I'll provide stats on the webpage.

There were about 10 vans in on Thursday night to get a jump start at the event. As we were relaxing at the campsite we could here those distinctive VW engines power up the hill to our campground. We saw a constant stream of all sorts of VWs rolling in on Friday each establishing their encampments. The campground loop filled up quickly. By Saturday we had the final count of 87 VW vehicles participating in this premier campout. Numerous Vanagons, EuroVans, Bays and Splitties, a few Bugs and tenters and even a Rialta and a Routan.

We kicked off Saturday morning with the Empire VW Camping club's version of the "Breakfast Burritos" to treat every camper breakfast. It was a hit, everyone was well fed and ready to work it off on a hike down the Watkins Glen gorge.

The New York Southern Tier region, Finger Lakes and Leather Stocking regions are connected with a long hiking trail referred to as the Finger Lakes trail. Fortunately the Finger Lakes Trail runs through this park and we hiked about one mile to get down to the gorge trail. Our hiking group enjoyed the beautiful scenery of waterfalls and clear pools and easy steps while hiking back to our campsite.

The afternoon allowed some folks to visit to local towns and vineyards while others relaxed at camp. The weather was in the 60s with an occasional gust of wind cooling the air. The Iroquois Lodge pavilion was reserved for our group, just in case of inclement weather and to gather us all in one area.

We filled the pavilion with some new entertainment and hopefully tradition to the Westies at Watkins events with our own Rick the Juggler who entertained the children and most of us watching with his juggling acts, unicycle tricks and playing with fire. Thanks again Rick for a fine display of your talents. Rick was camping at Watkins last year when he saw a parade of VW vans heading off to the racetrack. He thought that these vans were so cool and practical that he wanted one too. After some investigation Rick finally acquired his own Vanagon Westy to join our group.

After the juggling act, everyone gathered and brought food to share at our pot-luck meal in the pavilion. We added more picnic tables to accommodate the crowd and filled to pavilion to near capacity. Everyone had plenty to eat with some pretty decent camping food to bat. By this time, as predicted, it was pouring rain outside so it was nice to be in a warm dry place to enjoy each others company. We concluded the evening with some door prizes to give away as raffle gifts. A genuine big thanks to all who have contributed door prizes for this event:

GoWesty

Van-Café

MidAmerica-Motorworks

Sewfine

Condelli and Associate

Wolfsbürg-West

VAWCCNY

LiMBO &

Empire VW Camping Club

Sunday, under pouring rain we packed up camp and those of us brave enough to venture up to the Watkins Glen International Race track were allowed to take our vans on the race track. The racing goes on rain or shine. There was a small delay while the BMW racing club ended their practice and we were then allowed on. 25 vans and one bug took to the track. It was wet and still raining which kept the speeds down but some of us were able to go top speed in a VW bus around the track. Everyone took lots of pictures and some videos of the amusing event of seeing these utilitarian vehicles dare to challenge the asphalt of the race track. Pictures will be posted or linked from the www.westies-at-watkins.org web site. Please send me any media you wish to post.

It was really nice to see old friends again and to make new friends at this event. Some were missed and remembered. Thanks to Empire team for pulling together in making this happen. Thank you all again for participating in the 8th annual event of Westies@Watkins campout.

If you missed this year's event, start planning to attend next years on October 8-9-10 2010 (Columbus Day US)

Oh yeah, some scoundrel absconded with my Westies at Watkins banner!! what good is it to anyone else?

Joel Cort - Camp councilor

Rochester NY.
89 Syncro Westy (CinnabarVan)
87 Syncro Transporter (Stella)
73 Westy Campmobile (agent orange)

Founding Member of the Empire VW Camping Club
&
Westies at Watkins - www.westies-at-watkins.org October 8-9-10 2010

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• 2007 pics
• 2006 pics
• 2005 pics
• 2004 pics
• 2003 pics
• 2002 pics (First Year)

If you have some pics to share, send me an email and I will post them here.