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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10250 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:00 am Post subject: Started reading "Letters to Zerky" tonight.... |
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Wow. Just Wow. Guy tries to drive his wife and infant son around the world in a mid 60s VW Bus. Journals to his son who will be too young to remember so that he'll one day read it.
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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BillM Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2004 Posts: 1381 Location: Stonington,CT
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 3:37 am Post subject: |
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It's a quick read but a good book. A bit depressing at the end but I enjoyed it. Wife bought it for me for Xmas.
Bill |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10250 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:30 am Post subject: |
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Seems like both parents are good writers. Honest writing, too.
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10250 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:45 pm Post subject: |
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I had high expectations. I'll second Bill's review of the book. Was hoping to hear more involvement of the VW Bus in the story. Tragic end, also. Only a single survivor of the 4 adventurers...
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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Krautwagen Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2004 Posts: 81 Location: Lakewood, CO
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 7:38 am Post subject: |
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IdahoDoug wrote: |
I had high expectations. I'll second Bill's review of the book. Was hoping to hear more involvement of the VW Bus in the story. Tragic end, also. Only a single survivor of the 4 adventurers...
DougM |
Why did you spoil it for everyone who has not read the book yet?
Thanks man. |
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ziptip Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2010 Posts: 16 Location: Santa Cruz
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:19 pm Post subject: Guy Tries to Drive VW Bus Around the World |
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Hey you guys, I'm the guy who wrote that book, "Letters to Zerky, a Father's Legacy to a Lost son and a Road Trip Around the World." Sorry the endings a bummer, but--ah what the hell--that's life.
Send me an email to [email protected], and I'll send you a cool pitcure of the 1973 Vanagon I fixed all up nice to promote the book. But I sure wish it didn't have an automatic transmission. Nobody left on earth knows how to fix them!
Bill R |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10250 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Bill,
What an honor. I am an avid reader, which is to say it takes a bit to move me. With your book, I laughed. I cried. I often turned to my wife (a seasoned world traveler) and read her this bit or that.
I have read several vehicle trip around the world books, but never has it felt more deeply personal. Often I wished for more writing from your wife. One night after reading for a bit, I padded out to the freezing garage in bare feet. I was pondering that I own my own businesses, have an adventurous wife and kids and there's a huge world out there. Walked over to the Syncro project and put my hand on her and wondered where she'd take us. Where, indeed?
As for ruining it for others, I apologize but this aspect is in several reviews and I think the jacket cover or something. No excuse though, so pardon.
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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r39o Samba Polizei
Joined: May 18, 2005 Posts: 9800 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:35 pm Post subject: Re: Guy Tries to Drive VW Bus Around the World |
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ziptip wrote: |
But I sure wish it didn't have an automatic transmission. Nobody left on earth knows how to fix them! |
In Santa Cruz go to Van Cafe. They know want to do! _________________ "Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!
1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....
Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently) |
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fastwagens Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 1028 Location: Michigan (The other west coast)
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Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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I guess I'll have to buy a copy to find out how it ends. |
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ziptip Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2010 Posts: 16 Location: Santa Cruz
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Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:59 am Post subject: "Letters to Zerky, a Road Trip Around the World" |
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Please let me know when you finish reading it. I'd like to know what you think.
--Bill (the author) |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10250 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:47 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Bill,
I sent you and email and it was returned. Got another email address or perhaps retype it?
Regards,
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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Spinal Tap Samba Member
Joined: August 01, 2008 Posts: 413 Location: Chicago IL
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Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:54 pm Post subject: |
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I just started reading it last night! Don't spoil it for me! _________________ '85 Westy
'74 MG-B
RCB wrote: |
Its called tact...and tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a manner that they anticipate the trip. |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10250 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 1:00 pm Post subject: |
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It was in a PM to me. _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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sbclayton Samba Member
Joined: October 14, 2003 Posts: 483 Location: A place where owning a VW and enjoying life are synonymous
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Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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Bill's on TheSamba!! HOW COOL IS THAT??? Okay, calm down, calm down.
Bill Raney writes great stories that speak to the common man and woman. Intensely personal, wonderfully written. The kind of story dangerous to read if you're near a road, a trail, or any means of conveyance going "Out There". Stories about a world that "useta was", a world hidden from modern eyes except to those with diamond-clear vision and lively imagination, able to see over the horizon and spot old dives and rabbit holes at a distance. A perfect read, especially if you're settled down in your Westy, top up in the woods with a campfire burning nearby. This man could be anybody's favorite uncle or best friend; a great storyteller and travelling companion with a packfull of tales.
If you like "Letters To Zerky", go to Bill's website, Waltzing Around the World (http://waltzingaroundtheworld.com/). Check out "In Search of a Lost Penny". Beautiful! Check back often - good things to come.
<To Be Continued...> _________________ Steve - Tampa Bay Area
Original Owner (12/1990) of
NavDog, a 91 Carat
Enlightenment came when I realized that any time in my life I was having fun, it was somehow connected with owning a Volkswagen. |
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ziptip Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2010 Posts: 16 Location: Santa Cruz
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:33 am Post subject: Zerky |
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Hey Doug M,
You say "I have read several vehicle trip around the world books," and I say what books? Can you remember any of their names? I'd like to read someone else's account of this sort of thing.
--Bill |
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GBA 88West LA Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2008 Posts: 1279 Location: New Hampshire
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:42 am Post subject: |
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i have a heard alot about this book , now that i know the author is a member of thesamba, its a definate purchase....tip of the hat to you, sir _________________ 88 Westy GL Vanaru 07 2.5 EJ25/AA Trans/oiling plates, 1.14 3rd-.77-4th..solar powered cabin |
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CQ Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2009 Posts: 546 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:22 am Post subject: |
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Just ordered mine! I meant to get it earlier and then I forgot, but yeah now that the writer is a Samba guy makes it that much better.
Is this going to be one of those life changing books that makes me quit my job and go travel with the family?.... I kinda hope so _________________ 82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday. |
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climberjohn Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2005 Posts: 1840 Location: Portland Orygun
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Bill,
COOL, thanks for joining this discussion!
I bought and read your book a few months ago.
I was hoping for more mention of the vehicle itself, how you laid it out for travel and living, where on earth you stored 3,000 diapers, mechanical issues and fixes, etc.
I enjoyed it overall, and it's a good reminder to document important events for our young kids.
-CJ _________________ '86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often. |
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IdahoDoug Samba Member
Joined: June 12, 2010 Posts: 10250 Location: N. Idaho
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Bill,
My other passion is LandCruisers, a sickness I've had for 20 years this year. In addition to the recent (2010) trip around the world by Nicolas Rapp, one book I greatly enjoyed was titled "Who Needs A Road" - an account of a trip around the world in an FJ40 LandCruiser. It was a great read and a great story and I believe took place in the 60s.
I've also read books by people in Land Rovers, and another by a guy who tries it on a motorcycle. The FJ40 one would be a definite recommend.
DougM _________________ 1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader |
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jeffklein Samba Member
Joined: August 05, 2009 Posts: 132 Location: Rochester, NY
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Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2011 8:16 am Post subject: |
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Bill,
I too had an email icked back to me. I'll try PM'ing you..... |
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