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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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