Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 08:37:44 -0500
Reply-To: Stephen Steele <steeles@HORIZONVIEW.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stephen Steele <steeles@HORIZONVIEW.NET>
Subject: Winter storage check up
In-Reply-To: <29.4f7edb68.2d3fc230@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
Yes, I admit it...I, too, am a Vanagon addict...
Franz the '87 Westy........ VVVVrrrooommm...
The engine fired quickly and came to life, no clacking, no clattering; just
the smooth, soothing drone of the WBX. The radio played, echoing in the
warehouse that was it's temporary home for the winter. I walked around and
checked for any rodential intrusions; nothing. The gray interior shined in
the dim light; the white Formica of the cabinet top and tables reflecting
the washing it was given last November; just waiting to host baked beans,
chili or some other camping delicacy. The curtains hung in anticipation of
their next night of concealment. Opening the rear hatch, I enjoyed thinking
about seeing the same view into the interior of my favorite vehicle; while
standing with my back to the ocean or some river or mountain and valley.
Bliss, near Nirvana, poured over my soul.
Fritz the '84 Westy....... Click, click, click... click.
That was all. The flashing light of the after-market radio/CD must have
drained the battery down to below the needed strength to start the engine.
I will tend to it at the next visit by installing my trickle charger. It
still lifted my heart to see the van in out of the harsh Ohio weather. The
trips and stories from my first Westy will never be forgotten. Boy, it will
be hard to let Fritz go! But I promised the wife that I would try my best
to let him leave my life as soon as I could, in the Spring, or maybe later
this Summer; I'll try. I tell myself that in doing so, I will enable some
other neophyte to become one with the VW/Westy community.
Thus went my monthly fix (er, visit) yesterday to my two Westies. Ying and
yang. Relish the good, accept the bad. This is life.
Besides visiting my old friends, I was there to scavenge the temp sensor
from one of the coolant pressure tanks for my son's '91 (anticipating a
parts wait of +/- a week). He was making the hour trip down for the part
and to visit our favorite Chinese restaurant for lunch. We talked about life
and wills and our place in the world as we know it. We only talked
Vanagonese when the wife wasn't around, so as not to offend her. I didn't
mention that Fritz didn't start until after lunch so as not to upset her
lunch. You see, she really loves the Vans as much as I do... she's just in
denial. She won't admit that we talk at night in bed about where and when
we'll be traveling next.
But, I admit it...I am a Vanagon addict AND I am pretty sure that I have
infected my son!
So when you succumb to the urge of going out to check on your stored away
Van; or for you all-year-rounders, when you just hop into your van for a
really unneeded trip to nowhere in particular, just for the joy of hearing
it run and feeling the tires hum under your driver's seat.... it's Okay!
You're not weird. You have peers.
When the cost of parts and maintenance (not again) get to you...
When the quitters and naysayers get you down....
When the unknowing friends and family make you think you are losing it...
We understand.
Just write a note to us.
And we'll support you.
After all, WE ARE the VanagonList.
Stephen Steele*
Chillicothe OH
'87 Westy "Franz"
'84 Westfalia "Fritz" (yes dear I promise I'll sell it...4/02)
'82 Caddy VW Diesel P.U. Unknown future????
'74 MGB My first car...yep, I've kept it since '74
'93 Chevy S-10
'91 Jetta Diesel My daily driver
'02 Jetta Wagon VR6 Wife's car
Ex Vans:
'91 Caravelle "Hans"...1995-2003 Now with Son #1
'81 Vanagon from 1985-1990
*all rights reserved/no portion of this document may be reproduced w/o prior
written permission
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