Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Back in the Saddle: The Simple Joy of a Bus Road Trip
Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Bob D.
Samba Member


Joined: September 11, 2003
Posts: 613
Location: Chicago, IL
Bob D. is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:01 pm    Post subject: Back in the Saddle: The Simple Joy of a Bus Road Trip Reply with quote

I have had two ankle operations in the last four months. On Monday I finally got the OK to ditch my cast, and now have a fiberglass boot on my right foot. Compared to a cast this thing feels like an olympic sprinter's shoe, and I can now walk--and drive--for the first time since October.

Doctor's office Monday afternoon, bus out of storage and on the road by Tuesday morning!

After sitting five months in storage the bus started with TWO SECONDS of cranking and idled perfectly. Stopped after 10 miles or so to check oil, gas lines, brakes, tires--all were perfect. Bus ran smooth as silk the rest of the way on my 275 mile trip and I could easily have driven further if I'd had to.

The excuse for this trip is to check out a downstate shop to do some major work on another car I have, but truth be told I would have found any excuse to take the bus on a trip if this reason wasn't available. Wink I am lucky enough to have a couple different nice vehicles, but when it came time to choose one for my "inaugural drive" I didn't even hesitate in picking the bus.

There is just something comfortable, relaxing and satisfying about driving one of these when everything is working right. For everybody who is in the midst of getting their bus running or sorted, hang in there! It is worth it! These are truly unique vehicles that will reward you with miles of fun driving if you get them up to snuff and keep them that way.

I have some more operations to go, but have decided to take the Summer off and enjoy my car hobby while the weather is nice here in the midwest. My bus is back in action, it is a nice feeling. Very Happy
_________________
1978 7-Passenger, 37K miles
Proud Member #1, SBS (Stock Bus Society)

*Enjoy and appreciate your good health*

We used to play for silver
Now we play for life
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Randy in Maine
Samba Member


Joined: August 03, 2003
Posts: 34890
Location: The Beach
Randy in Maine is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All right Bob!

Glad you are back! Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
orangeeyesore
Samba Bammer


Joined: November 23, 2003
Posts: 1264
Location: looking in Hazetguy's windows
orangeeyesore is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

awesome,glad you are up and around again.
_________________
HBB

As it says, who have you got as a quote in your signature line and why?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
ratwell
Samba Member


Joined: April 26, 2003
Posts: 8717
Location: Victoria, BC
ratwell is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Back in the Saddle: The Simple Joy of a Bus Road Trip Reply with quote

Bob D. wrote:
There is just something comfortable, relaxing and satisfying about driving one of these when everything is working right. For everybody who is in the midst of getting their bus running or sorted, hang in there! It is worth it! These are truly unique vehicles that will reward you with miles of fun driving if you get them up to snuff and keep them that way.

I couldn't have said it better. The weather here just hit 80 degrees and I can't wait to hit the coast in the bus.
_________________
'78 Westfalia CDN
'76 Doublecab
Read the Baywindow FAQ
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Bottomend
Grease


Joined: September 20, 2003
Posts: 1500
Location: Smell Aye! via Nude Hamster!
Bottomend is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 1:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Great Green Bus !
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Classifieds Feedback
1979westie
Samba Member


Joined: January 08, 2004
Posts: 1093
Location: Flying this P-27 bomber
1979westie is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good for you Bob! Haven't seen you on the forum for a while. Glad you are using the nice season to enjoy the bus. There is nothing quite like it.
So, what are the "other" cars you own?

Welcome back to the realm of the bipeds,
Eric
SBS member Smile
_________________
Your car may do 0-60 in under 5 seconds, but can it sleep 4 and cook a meal?

1979 Deluxe Campmobile (quickly rusting away)
33K miles when bought, now at 61K
Proud Member #2 SBS (Stock Bus Society)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Amskeptic
Samba Member


Joined: October 18, 2002
Posts: 8568
Location: All Across The Country
Amskeptic is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2004 7:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Back in the Saddle: The Simple Joy of a Bus Road Trip Reply with quote

Bob D. wrote:

After sitting five months in storage the bus started with TWO SECONDS of cranking and idled perfectly. These are truly unique vehicles that will reward you with miles of fun driving if you get them up to snuff and keep them that way.
Very Happy


That's my favorite part of spring, seeing how quickly it bursts into song.
Miles of fun driving done and yet to come. Glad the rehab is proceeding apace.
Colin
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website Facebook Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Bob D.
Samba Member


Joined: September 11, 2003
Posts: 613
Location: Chicago, IL
Bob D. is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:26 am    Post subject: Re: Back in the Saddle: The Simple Joy of a Bus Road Trip Reply with quote

Quote:
From Ratwell:" The weather here just hit 80 degrees and I can't wait to hit the coast in the bus.


Yup, that sounds just a little bit better than 39 degrees in Peoria! Very Happy You gotta go for that Richard!!

No matter where you are, bus season is starting. Crank 'em up and hit the road folks, remind yourself why you bought the thing....

Thanks too for all the good wishes, they are appreciated. I stopped at a Wal-Mart yesterday, and on the way out of the store an older gent held the door open for me. He and his wife then stared at me sympathetically as I walked out into the parking lot. I'm sure I made an interesting sight, a gimped-up guy in a fiberglass boot and wrist braces, limping towards an old VW bus.

I could almost hear them thinking, "What's that smile on his face? What the heck could he have to smile about?" Simple: I know that I should enjoy everything I can, while I can still enjoy it. Wink In a couple of days it's back to the reality of work, refereeing kid disputes and deciding which medication or operation to pursue next.

Suddenly a well-tuned bus, a full tank of gas and no particular destination sounds like it's worth an ocassional smile, doesn't it? Very Happy
_________________
1978 7-Passenger, 37K miles
Proud Member #1, SBS (Stock Bus Society)

*Enjoy and appreciate your good health*

We used to play for silver
Now we play for life
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
rugrad92
Samba Member


Joined: January 14, 2004
Posts: 9
Location: sw va
rugrad92 is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 9:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You have to appreciate the simple things in life. Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger Classifieds Feedback
bljones
Resident Wit


Joined: February 08, 2002
Posts: 2377
Location: ontario canada
bljones is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 10:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Welcome back to the land of the TRULY living!
_________________
OG JHC
Author of Original Rant #1
"It stingd itself to dead... now that is control on you"

2%
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
pawesty
Samba Medic


Joined: June 28, 2003
Posts: 1545
Location: Northern Vermont
pawesty is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Mar 11, 2004 10:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great to have you back Bob. Hope all is well on your end!

dave
_________________
"Go smell the wind, go far. Hear the marvelous strange chime of midnight" Kerouac

79 westy
78 westy

purveyor of refurbed westies and parts!!! inquire within!

.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.