Just got back from a quick, wet trip down the Oregon coast. These EV's seem 'big' inside compared to the Vanagon. Dry and warm, with room to stretch out. I love it. It rained and blew all night, the coast was mostly socked in, but I didn't mind much. I almost finished Theroux's "The Pillars of Hercules" while I was down there. So far, my main complaint about the EV is that noisy fresh water pump - I much preferred the electrical one in my Vanagon, or even better that hand pump that was in there.

Anyway, down along 101, somewhere between Cannon Beach and Newport, I passed a place called 'Beaver Creek Bobs' which had a few buses, at least one Vanagon, a Ghia, a few Beetle's, and many 411's sitting alongside. I know these aren't the best directions, but hey, you can't get everything for free.

Is it just me, or does Oregon seem like a lot more sensible state than Washington lately? No Pat Robertson fanatics lurking in every small town, much less the church/capita ratio that rural Washington seems to support these days. Also a public radio network that reaches across the state. Also one of the most progressive and sensible land use laws around, unlike in Washington where its 'every property owner for themselves and damn the neighbors downstream!' (By this I mean the definite urban/rural boundaries in Oregon - unlike the Washington Growth Mgmt Act which many counties are trying to work around.)

okay, my opinions are showing. not very vw-related. sorry. Good tip about the shop I hope though.

-rick

Rick Gordon Bainbridge Island, WA, USA ------------------------------------- rickgo@halcyon.com http://www.halcyon.com/rickgo/ finger for PGP public key fingerprint -------------------------------------