Belknap Hot Springs Resort VW Camping Trip

I can finally type up this short Volkswagen trip report now that my fingers aren’t pruned anymore! Yep, we just returned from a lovely trip to Belknap Hot Springs Resort with my better half and a whole bunch of V-dub aficionados. This time we gathered together with the Oregon Bus Club to celebrate Josh’s birthday. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to use our own van as it is currently zero-wheel-drive (our transmission was just rebuilt). Fortunately, Josh was able to find us Boudreaux, a lovely blue T2 Bay Window bus belonging to John (yes, painted like a T1)! So Jennifer and I jumped into John’s spare bus for another adventure.

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Driving a Bay Window to Belknap

Let me tell you, it is hard to believe that only one generation separates this VW T2 Bay Window from our T3 Vanagon. We know our van is technically an antique vehicle, but driving the bus felt like taking a step making a pilgrimage back in time! Nevertheless, Boudreaux swallowed the miles from Eugene to Belknap Hot Springs Resort without a complaint. Well, except for a couple tough shifts into fourth gear. My understanding however is that no antique bus would be complete without a quirk like this!

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Exploring Belknap Hot Springs

Despite the lack of photographic evidence, we did soak over and over again in the springs. Some people talked about post-winter-bods, but really I just didn’t feel like taking photos when I wanted to relax. We did, however, explore the resort itself. Belknap has a quirky not-so-secret garden a short walk away from the resort. The gardens did look somewhat eery without anything blooming and the devastation from a previous snow storm. But they were a blast to explore nonetheless!

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Social Campfire

When we weren’t soaking or exploring, we did what every good camper does: hang out by some burning wood! It was a great opportunity to make new friends and share some tasty treats!

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V-Dub Gallery

And of course, no Volkswagen Trip Report would be complete without its share of V-Dub porn!

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I took all these shots with my trusted Fujifilm X-T3 (Amazon) by the way, paired with the amazing Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 (Amazon) and the equally capable Fujinon XF 35mm f/2 (Amazon). Read about why I own both lenses here!