Date:         Sun, 22 Apr 2001 19:38:48 -0700
Reply-To:     john tomljenovic <zadar72@yahoo.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         john tomljenovic <zadar72@yahoo.com>
Subject:      Re: why I now like my vanagon and our first trip
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

We did our first trip this weekend! after owning it since november, the
girl and me took it to kickapoo state park for a mountain bike race, we
were planning to get there on saturday afternoon and preride the
course, then find a spot and camp the night before the race, and this
is how it went...

well first we didn't make it till dark, oh well, we were so
uncordinated, get the bus ready and everything, we now have a list of
what we didn't bring.

left chicago on like the windiest day. this camper sure is a trip in
strong winds, was a battle to keep'er straight.  and the look of
disbelief in my eyes when in a headwind and going uphill, had the
throttle pinned and watching the speedometer roll backwards!? WTF!
welcome to vanagon country I guess. the ride was still a blast; making
fun of people we passed (I mean how could you let an underpowered brick
pass you?); and getting socked with 15mpg, and the new mirrors flopping
down made for exciting lane changes.

was too late to ride so got to our campsite, and everything just fell
together.  chairs out, lit some candles. I built a fire while the girl
made dinner (on the counter of the westie of course!). chilled out, had
some visiters, how not when you have such a people magnant as the
westfalia. went to sleep in the upper bunk (need some more padding up
there) broke down camp in the morning (this thing is so cool how it
folds up in seconds).

raced poorly but was a hit in the pits, we were at least party central,
all the cute girls commenting on the nice van. "but I have a
girlfriend..."

on the way home caught a tailwind and just cruised on home without a
hitch, 23mpg this time!

the bus is 350 miles older now but had a ball even if the trip started
out not so well, will be looking forward to the next one, and better
prepared this time. camping is just too cool.

BTW this is why we love our vanagon

john and tawnya

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