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Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:38 pm

Hello to everyone. We got back from the inaugural 4000-mile trip in our 1986 Westy Vanagon that came to be known over the course of the trip as "The Old Girl". This trip would not have been possible without the help and support of many people on this forum some of whom offered a remarkable degree of assistance. I remember when we first bought the van it actually sat in the driveway for about six months because I was terrified to do anything to it. I started with an oil change and sort of worked my way up from there. For better or worse I am a hypochondriac when it comes the health my beloved Westy. I say better because I did my very best always and I say worse because I was always sure my best wasn't good enough. But 4000 miles across the American southwest in 100-plus heat proved me wrong and right at the same time.

Mostly it proved my wife right when, as I fretted and fiddled with the van before our departure she said, "Just put the engine cover on, load this thing up and drive the shit out of it." And we did. From Austin, Texas to Las Vegas and back.

These things are born to drive, too. Yes, you do not drive fast but rather you drive with a attitude and philosophy that is singular and beautiful.

Two bits of advice: 1: ALWAYS ADD AN OIL COOLER. 2: ALWAYS GO ON A TRIP. I'll have more to say in other posts but for now I will let the pictures do the talking:

Somewhere between Ojo Caliente and Taos, New Mexico

The hellscape of west Texas

The Old Girl outside the UFO museum in Roswell
It is a sad little place. I think they thought the History channel would run UFO shows forever.

Ruidoso, New Mexico
This is not a Photoshop trick. A brief, fierce rainstorm stomped across the mountains and left this almost trite mark in the sky. Almost.

New Curtains!
Among the many contributions my wife made the the Vanagon project: she made new curtains that help de-brown the dumpy Westfalia interior.

Morning in New Mexico
Strangely enough we saw only one other Vanagon the entire trip and it was the morning we left Ruidoso. The owner honked and waved but I didn't see him in time to return the love.

I guess they named it after the sand or something.
Yes, this is White Sands. This was the first day I encountered some of the quirks and limitations of my beloved. Outside Alamagordo we dealt with some crazy crosswinds, insane 110 degree heat and a few daunting climbs.

A Very Large Array, indeed.
My wife really liked the movie Contact as she is a huge sci-fi nerd so a stop at the VLA was mandatory.

Hoover as in "sucks like a Hoover."
This was the absolute hottest day of our trip. It was so hot that the high-speed fan came on as we idled in traffic and the only time the engine stumbled was in this terrible 120-degree heat (according to my thermometer). As The Old Girl struggled in the ghastly temperatures my wife cried, "My god! We're killing her!"

MORE PICTURES TO FOLLOW!!!

Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:40 pm

Okay - more Vanagon Pictures!!

Las Vegas
We stayed at the Monte Carlo, which isn't the best or worse place on the strip but dammit, they don't have a parking garage. New York, New York is visible in the background.

Las Vegas
The Old Girl cooling off in front of The Monte Carlo

Tourism
The wife changes into some "Sensible Shoes" (ugly, in other words) at the bigass Crater in Arizona - you know, the one from "Starman." I really like the baby moon hubcaps I got from Bus Depot and the chrome wheel rings I got off eBay.

Santa Fe
I used to live in Santa Fe back in the early 80's back when it was a small town. Now it's full of rich idiots quoting Sean Hannity to each other and complaining about the grumpy Indians selling turquoise on the square. Nevertheless, it's still Santa Fe.

Help me, Dogpilot, you're my only hope.
Okay this is not a Vanagon picture but I include it because it's stupid moments like this that make all of the money, work and bloody knuckles worth it

Mr. And Mrs. Deprivation. Ojo Caliente
Again, this is not a Vanagon picture. Seriously: drive your Vanagon and drive it far. This is a little spa in Ojo Caliente. We love it because it's full of normal, regular people: not a washboard ab or firm fanny anywhere. Just bring your dumpy middle-aged self and have fun.

Ojo Caliente
This was the last day before the sprint home across Texas. Every party has to end sometime.

On The Road with The Old Girl

On The Road with The Old Girl

Again, thanks to EVERYONE.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:11 pm

Nice, Dep. Nice trip, nice everything.

cheers,

mordo

Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:20 pm

Ah more inspiration for me. :)

After I finish up the re install of my wiring harness, and finish up the now tubbed engine lid, (engine conversion) I'll be hard pressed not to install a spare Dometic I'm working on. And, and, and,......

To paraphrase your wife, I should 'just drive the damn thing!'

Great pics.

Thanks,

Neil.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:46 pm

very cool, you should put this in the stories thread

Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:11 pm

Ahhh Deprivation, these are the times to live for. Beautiful pics; Easy to see that you and wife had a great time. Thanks for sharin' the love...
Berge 8)

Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:16 pm

deprivation wrote:
These things are born to drive, too. Yes, you do not drive fast but rather you drive with a attitude and philosophy that is singular and beautiful.

Cool trip. It makes me look foward to the 5000+ mile trip me and my wife are fixing to take across mexico. In the vanagon of course.

And by the way. That line that is quoted is awesome in so many ways. Its signature material.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:48 pm

deprivation wrote: "Just put the engine cover on, load this thing up and drive the shit out of it."
Words of wisdom. You had already done your homework.

Congrats on a great trip.

Where are you off to next?

Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:56 pm

Great trip. Great attitude.

I just bought an '87 Westy in Denver to replace our '87 we lost to an engine fire and I'm going to drive it sight unseen back to Maryland after Labor Day (OK, my brother who lives in Denver scoped it out for me). I'll take plenty of your attitude with me as I explore the country on the way home. :D

Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:29 pm

Does this mean I'm cut in half in episode 4, only to return as a corny, transparent advisor in the future!

Looks like it was fun. My summer has been cut to ribbons. My only trips are to the land o sand for the near future. Just back from two weeks, then back to Beirut, Lebanon in a week or so. The poor Syncro is keeping the Birddog company in the hanger.

Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:32 pm

Nice!

Fri Jul 18, 2008 9:41 pm

I aspire to your journey... in my 1985 Westfalia. Thank you for your inspiration.
what tunes got you through the drive time?
later,
Peter

Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:30 pm

A successful trip-what a great way to start your relationship with the westy. And the pics captured the joy and thrill of it all. Love it.
Paul

Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:45 pm

nice pics. looks like a good time. those curtains look like a mushroom trip I had a long time ago.

Sat Jul 19, 2008 7:11 am

Thanks for sharing, looks like a good time! Sadly the most camping I have planned this year is a 3 day weekend with the kids. But you've given me hope!

Sat Jul 19, 2008 7:13 am

It's good to see that its working as it should. Looks like a great trip. I'm taking mine on a shorter trip to Cape Cod soon, if I can get the exhaust fixed on time.

Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:57 am

Nice to see folks dropping the can of PB Blaster, closing out the last aux battery thread and .....DRIVING.

Glad you had a great trip doing what these cars do better than any other method of travel.

Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:28 am

You done owned that machine. Congrats.

Sat Jul 19, 2008 4:35 pm

Now wait. You were eight miles from my house and didn't say hi? You got some esplaining to do.

Looks like a sweet trip. Glad it went so well.

Sat Jul 19, 2008 5:45 pm

Very cool. 8)

Thanks for the insperation!