Date: Thu, 3 Apr 1997 22:59:59 +0000
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "jmartin" <julim@main.inetnow.net>
Subject: Late night on the backroads of Georgia....
Well, it finally happened. I got lost while attempting to drive home
after dark with my 3 girls. I have a pretty poor sense of direction
anyway, and I took a wrong turn in the outskirts of Columbus, GA.
I couldn't believe I was so dumb as to start out at 9:30 pm to make
the 65 mile drive back to Thomaston after I found myself in the
backwoods on Hwy 80 with less gas in the tank than I would have
liked. I had no idea where we were headed and figured we would
either end up in Alabama, or the extreme southern end of our lovely
state.
I just said a prayer and told my daughter to get out the map (and the
trusty flashlight) to navigate us home. I keep maps of all the
neighboring states in the glove compartment but at first glance,
Michelle couldn't find the Georiga map! : 0 Of course, it was in
there under the Callaway gardens map, the Six Flags map, and the
Macon city map.
I wouldn't have been quite as anxious if my VW hadn't been skipping
and hopping lately while I am idling. I have been intending to
change out the fuel filter since I have already changed the
transmission fluid & gaskets, tuned it up and replaced the rotor,
distributor cap and other parts. I haven't been traveling very far
for the past month. After all the talk recently about gas tank
corrosion, I am beginning to think that might be my problem as this
Vanagon had been sitting for a couple of years when I bought it.
Still it is amazing how comforting it is to know that if you indeed
HAD to spend the night on the side of the road, you would have all
the comforts of "home". The fridge was well-stocked with sandwiches,
deviled eggs from the picnic (Easter eggs, of course) and cold iced
tea. (By the way, do any others on the list keep
their fridge fired with the propane all the time?) I had even loaded back up
the portapotty PLUS I was able to dial up the folks at home that
might be missing us on the cellular phone (yes, Joel, I talked and
drove at the same time...but I WAS on the backroads!). Even the
sleeping bags are kept loaded and it has been chilly here the last
few nights in the 40's.
Old "Happy" made it home an hour behind schedule with sleeping
chil'uns in the backseat! I have made a new rule to only drive home
long distances if I have plenty of daylight. I wish I could be more
trusting of people, but it's mighty scary to be lost on a dark,
country road when you have little ones to consider the safety of!
Juli
'81 Vanagon Deluxe Westy (Happy)
PS I like my sticker, Ken!
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