Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2001 14:30:18 -0700
Reply-To: Julianna Thoennes <mumbrue@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Julianna Thoennes <mumbrue@HOME.COM>
Subject: Parking Garage tale
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I got stuck in a parking garage last June in Denver. (I was attending a
conference) I didn't have any damage, because I stopped in time, but it is
quite the story. There was plenty of room to drive in and park. The
problem arose when I attempted to leave the lot. I pulled forward to the
gate, and saw that I might have a problem with a water pipe that ran across
the roof. I mentioned this to the attendant, and he assured me that if I
got in, that I could get out. Well he was wrong! I drove cautiously
forward, and heard a tink, when my roof rack bumped the water pipe. Of
course! I got out, and assesed my situation, and decided that it would be
best to remove the rack. At this point, the attendant is yelling at me to
move my van through! I am trying to tell him that I am stuck, but he spoke
a differant language, and couldn't understand me. I am in a long dress of
course! It is somewhere in the upper 90's. I climb up top, and squeeze
into the space to remove the box rack. (I am not a small woman) I was
having difficulty with all the cloth in the dress, so I climbed back down.
There are about 10 or more cars waiting to get out, and they are irritated
too. I was very flustered! The attendant continued to yell at me to move
my van. There are several other people that were yelling that they were
late, and to hurry up. Only one person offered to help. I finally step
into my camper, and pull out a t-shirt. I have bike shorts on, but no bra.
There is no way to be private at this point, so I just whip off my dress and
throw on the t-shirt. It was great! LOL Everyone stopped yelling, and
ran back to their vehicles. I got the rack off in no time without all that
fabric, and moved on my way.
Julianna
90 VW Vanagon Westfalia
76 VW Automatic Bay Westfalia
74 VW Beetle
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Stevens" <ejstevens@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 6:26 AM
Subject: Driving into NYC and using a parking Garage
> I have to drive to NYC this weekend and I will undoubtably be using 1 or 2
> parking garages.
>
> I will be away on an Indian Guides cabin camping trip in NJ with my 8 year
> old son and bringing the 84 Westfalia camper would be perfect for the
stuff
> I have to bring and the cooking we are planning to do with 7 other dads
and
> their sons. But I have to make an 8 hour trip into Manhattan on Saturday
and
> then back to the NJ cabin.
>
> If I recall correctly there have been numerous incidents of roof damage in
> garages and I do not want to become one. My choices seem to be:
>
> 1 -I have another vehicle I can bring (1999 Honda Odyssey) that would
not
> present the same potential problems. A no brainer.
>
> 2 -Trying to make the Westie a fool proof parking job. [ never
> underestimate the power of a fool!]
>
>
> I have an 84 Wolfsberg Westfalia that my owners guide says is 80.7 inches
> tall (6 ft 8.7 inches). Since I will have the vent down, I'll say it is 6
ft
> 10 inches for safety sake. How does that compare with Manhattan garages?
> I'll certainly pay attention to signs and height bars at the street
> entrance.
>
> In addition I was thinking of writing a sign that says
>
> WARNING - THIS IS A TALL VEHICLE
> THAT NEEDS SPECIAL CARE. IT IS
> 6 FT 10 INCHES TALL. IF YOU
> DAMAGE THE ROOF IT WILL BE YOUR
> RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY TO FIX IT
> AND IT WILL BE VERY EXPENSIVE.
>
> Allowing for English as a second language I will write it out. I would
show
> this to the attendant and request special parking considerations. Aren't
> they responsible for this type of damage?
>
> Any recommendations, caveats and suggestions are appreciated? Should I
> seriously leave the bus home and have a second rate camping experience
with
> my son just because I am concerned.
>
> I am going to be really upset if anything happens to my van in a Manhattan
> parking garage.
>
>
>
> --
> Sincerely,
> Ed Stevens
> Valley Forge PA
>
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