Date:         Fri, 1 Nov 2002 19:41:42 -0700
Reply-To:     Joanna Strohn <joanna@DREAMRUNNER.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joanna Strohn <joanna@DREAMRUNNER.COM>
Subject:      Introduction
In-Reply-To:  <20021102004544.33290.qmail@web14808.mail.yahoo.com>
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There I was, heading home from work and approaching a light. Car stopped
ahead in the left turn lane duly noted. Everything all clear. Then the car
started to turn. I hit the brakes but it was far too late to avoid hitting
him. "I thought I had enough time to turn," the old guy said. My Nova was
totaled but I was OK and very grateful my 2-year-old was not in the car with
me.

The year was 1972. My husband and I went shopping for a new car. Instead of
a car, , we came home with this ugly VW bus thing that we thought would be
good for camping.

It was. During the summer we kept it stocked for camping and headed out
every possible weekend. A recession hit and we both lost our jobs. Hm, all
we had to do was send in the unemployment reports ... so we took $500 and
headed out. East to Hamilton, Ontario, west through Mount Rushmore,
Yellowstone, San Francisco, Disneyland, Arizona. Six weeks on the road and
memories still treasured today.

Coming out of Colorado I had the nighttime driving shift. Chugging along
there was a sudden imprint of a deer in front of me and "splat". Highway
patrol said it was a mule deer, likely being chased by a coyote. One
headlight was out and the front smashed but we made it home and got it
repaired.

The marriage ended and I got my son, the bus and not much else. It was the
coldest winter ever and I had a long commute to work. The bus was,
reluctantly, turned into a Chevette. The only good thing about that car was
the fact it had a heater that worked; essential for that Chicago winter.

Fast forward not quite 30 years. Family obligations meant taking care of my
elderly mother and driving her around in her Thunderbird. Not how I planned
to spend almost 8 years of my life, but one plays the hand that is dealt.

Within the span of a few months, my son married, my mother died, and I found
myself facing the delightful but scary question "what do I do with the rest
of my life?"

One conclusion I've reached is that I want another bus. I don't need to go
fast; I have motorcycles for that. I would like to camp and explore this
wonderful state of Arizona. Why not get another bus?

So I'm beginning my search. I'm clueless about the state of VW campers today
so the first thing I did was an Internet search. Found the website and this
group. I need something with air conditioning so that eliminates the older
buses. I think my top budget is about $10,000. Any suggestions on models,
years, etc. I should consider will be most gratefully accepted.

  -- Joanna, Bus-less in Arizona