Date:         Fri, 18 May 2001 09:23:58 -0500
Reply-To:     Chris Stann <ChrisS@INFORMS.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chris Stann <ChrisS@INFORMS.com>
Subject:      Fresh Friday Perspective
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

During a recent camping trip to Ft. Pickens near Pensacola Beach in Florida,
I stumbled upon an elderly couple in a light beige '84 Westfalia.  As I
pulled in to the campground I spotted their Westy resting peacefully under a
tree.  Naturally, I had to knock on their closed sliding door although it
was almost 9:30 at night.  They were happy to talk to me, as any Westy owner
would be to talk to another.

During the course of our conversation I learned some fascinating facts about
these people.  First, I found out they have been Transporter owners since
1962!  Wow.  They bought no 'van' other than a Volkswagen since.  Naturally,
I had to ask about their current vehicle, its reliability and speed.  I must
say I was a bit surprised when I learned that they had put only 75K miles
since they bought it new.  Also, thanks the regular maintenance, they had
very few mechanical problems with the Vanagon.  Heads never leaked, and the
Westy never let them down.

Second, they drove all the way from North Carolina.  Wow! these folks were
true travelers.  They explained that when they first bought the Vanagon
Westy they could have made it in one day, but now, as they are a little
older, they prefer to take two days.

Then, imagine my surprise when I heard that they thought their Westy was
fast!  What?  Fast?  What about all those devout Subaru convertees?  Could
they have been wrong?  The explanation followed:  Our '62 could only do 35
MPH up this one hill, this one will do 65!  Aaaaah, I like that perspective.
You're on Westy time, relax and enjoy the ride.

Chris,

'85 Westy.