Ozark Mountains Adventure (The Leap)

[SamboSamba22]

This coming weekend is the 3rd Annual Red, White, and Blue and V-Dubs Too show in Mountain Home, Arkansas.
I have never attended the show, and it is a 150 drive to the event Saturday (06/24). While attacking this venue solo, I am hoping I know a few folks up there, though it is calling for thunderstorms all day, so I'm not expecting much.
Now, I have found myself in a transitional point in my life, with the ending of a 3 year relationship, a stressful promotion at work, and still learning how to love and learn from life with soberity.
My hair must have fallen out a little, because as of yesterday I have a wild hair up my ass now to go on a little adventure.
This is my vessel:

I have driven to and from the Eureka Springs show, 140 miles one way. No problems, just passing park cars and time
I have camped Single nights in my bus, but this will be the first trip with a few nights of wilderness wanderering.
To say I'm not anxious is a lie, I worry that with family on vacation in Florida, my resources of emergency contacts will be limited. I do not doubt my bus, I have had hiccups the past couple years but they've always been minimal.
My plan is to drive direct to Mountain Home for the show. Attend the show, and after winning my award headed northwest to Bull Shoals.
Camp there, mountain bike (which I haven't done in years!) and hike, along with paddle around there in the lake with my kayak.
-Leaving Bull Shoals>Sand Gap to view and experience one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Arkansas (Falling Water Falls) outside of Richland Creek in what was once called Grand Gap, located in the middle of the Ozark National Forest.
-Next on the marker is the actual town of Ozark, and my intentions are to get lost. Explore the Mulberry River (name of my childhood street when we first moved to Arkansas) and find the child within me that I've forgotten.
Depending on if I survive (best not be any banjo music!) if I'm feeling well I'll explore for the day, meandering my way back home through country highways.
My goal is to become better friends with my bus, Mother Nature, and myself. Find swimming holes, climbing trees, dancing, singing, crying, blowing endless amounts of spit through my harmonic and truly make the philosophical leap to take life as it is, an adventure.
I will take endless photos, and ask for good vibes as a recently 27 year old gets his groove back.
Much love Samba family, and thanks for the encouragement to save my bus, and enstilling the bravery to use it as intended, to seek adventure.
-Sam
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The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[Manfred58sc]

Roads stretch out like healthy veins - Neil Young
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Fat chick owner/operator

[camit34]

[SamboSamba22]

[SamboSamba22]

[Ives676]

[senseless1707]

I seriously can't wait to get my bus up and running. Nothing sounds better then puttering along in the slow lane with the windows down clearing my head on life.
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2014 VW GTI
1976 Westfalia Camper

[scrivyscriv]

[senseless1707]

[kerian159]

It is an experience. quite fun to watch a row of buses on the interstate getting passed, looks kinda like a snake.
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1976 Type II Westy P22

"Growing older, but not up!"

[wcfvw69]

Sounds like a great plan you have to clear your head and focus on your future. The past is dead and you can't change it. I've found that looking in the rear view mirror of life is a fruitless exercise. Things happen for a reason and we can only learn from life's experiences.

My fiance said once that "ya know, you have to go through life's crap to really appreciate the good times"... Amen.
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Contact me at [email protected]
Follow me on instagram @sparxwerksllc

Decades of VW and VW parts restoration experience.
The Samba member since 2004.

**Now rebuilding throttle bodies for VW's and Porsche's**
**Restored German Bosch distributors for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored German Pierburg fuel pumps for sale or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche fuel pumps or I can restore yours**
**Restored Porsche distributors or I can restore yours**

[hoagy86]

Good luck man enjoy the trip never been there either I'm about 80 miles away from there let me know how it is

[KentABQ]

Go for it, Sam.

You have the smarts to fix anything that may pop up during the journey. And you have hundreds of Sambanistas to help out, too, if the problem gets too big.

The trip sounds like the perfect getaway to reconnect with your inner self.
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-Kent-
1976 Riviera, 1.8l FI chrome yellow VAN - "Chloe"

"I must say, how can you be in a bad mood driving this vehicle full of vibrant color.
Cars of today are so bland in comparison. It's like driving a celebration!" ---WildIdea

Bus ownership via emoticons:
---williamM

[Wasted youth]

Jazzed for ya!

Sounds like you have the right frame of mind and the best itinerary... those are all great things that need to be done.

Please do share if you feel like it.

[notchboy]

[SamboSamba22]

There sure are a lot of great folks bouncing around here on the Samba, thank you all for the encouragement and I'll be sure to capture some adventure within photos.
I am installing a power inverter prior to leaving Friday/Saturday and am struggling to find a good location to install it! I want to reduce the amount of travel between the battery and the inverter, but also need accessibility to use the thing! Mid-90* temps, I'm going to need some moving air at night time.
Just picked up a 2000 watt HF inverter for $105. I know it, I'm a poor, uneducated, southern fella, we love Harbor Freight. Details to follow.
Anyone have any install, location ideas?
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The Bus Barn Ltd. Co.

Oct. ’67 Double Cab (’68 Crew Cab)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44412.png]Click to view image[/URL]
March '69 Delivery (Panel Bus)
[url=http://www.vw-mplate.com/mplate-44414.png]Click to view image[/URL]

[TDCTDI]

[Wasted youth]

Were it me, I'd try to keep the inverter close to the aux battery with heavy wire from the aux batt to the inverter. Then maybe run a small multi-outlet extension cord into the compartment for appliances. Lots of details on his whole arrangement in various threads, but the info is sort of scattered around.

Whatever you do, make sure the circuits are protecting the battery and charging equipment from short circuiting. No fires or damaged charging equipment!

[SamboSamba22]

[Wasted youth]

There is specific math on that. There is a nifty book you can get at Home Depot which has all kinds of cool shit... like a PeeChee folder on coke. It's called Ugly's Electical References and it has a yellow cover with red printing. Fits in your pocket.