Todds Cruise around America

Portland for a minute

2009-09-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

Originally I had planned to stay around Portland for a few days. I wanted to enjoy some of the great restaurants there. As it turns out the weather was not going to cooperate and I just hated the idea of being trapped in the bus. Camping in the rain is a bummer at best. I was able to visit with family and had lunch with a old friend. and then with reluctance, as i just did not feel like driving. I headed down the road. I had plans to get to the coast. Just what I would do at the coast besides look at the wind blown surf. I don't know.The wind was blowing so bad it made the trip very tedious. I exited at a small town in the woods off I 5 called Drain. I traveled about 2 miles west and ran into a wall of water. As it was dusk already I scraped the sense of adventure and just turned around. I spent most of the day trying to figure out a way to shorten the distances to travel. Traveling just a little further south I was in Grants Pass Or. at around

830 pm. There I lucked into some of the best all time Mexican food.

The long and short of it is that I headed south and after just one more rest stop. I found my way home. Even though there has been no real time change for me I still feel a little jet lagged. It is nice to be here.

There is a little let down that I am not out there pissin people of with my 60 miles an hour top speed. Its not that the blue bomb won`t go any faster its just that that is what felt like the right speed. I met a guy driving his Vanagon from Vermont at a gas station in Oregon. His top speed was 59-62 and I said that he should be able to do better than that. With the load he had that his car was happy right there. So I guess that what I am getting at is that it takes what it takes. It was fun to share my trip with you all. I do recommend getting out and rolling around to see what there may be to see. And especially in a Old VW Bus. There are so many conversations that would have been lost if I was in the Benz.

For me the trip is all about the people. All the places are still there and will be there after we are long gone. We are a fleeting moment in time. I promise that I am gonna do fun shit.

Sunday morning silence

2009-09-27T06:55:00.000-07:00

Don`t you just love the couple of early morning hours, when its nice and quiet. Even here on hwy 395 at a flea bag motel. This place is so low budget that it is called eco lodge instead of econo lodge. They just scraped off the no. I really wonder if there is a convention for flea bag inn keepers and if they decide there that they are all gonna buy the same "cleaner" and if they vote on if it should smell like piss. I got here late and was not up for a search in the dark. So I wound up here and slept in my bus in front. The shower was pretty good. The plumbing works so I guess it was OK. The Hookers seem to like this place. Back to the peace and quiet bit. Even in this busy spot there are still these moments of calm and quiet. I know that it won`t last too long. It is just after 7 am and the rest of the world will soon be on the move. My plan, if for the lack of a better word was to get close last night so there would be some time this afternoon in Portland. I am aware that all this driving in the last couple of days has not allowed for much sight seeing. As I dash bye some of the sights I do remember that this is a road trip. Sight seeing alone is not much fun. Really all the places there are wouldn`t be the same without all the people. I just wish that we weren`t all so afraid of each other. I had this conversation with a truck driver that I met at a rest stop in South Dakota. Sunee rides a "First class broom". I think it is a Peterbuilt. She was hesitant to talk to me, and I didn`t want to bug a truck driver at a rest stop with silly questions. Turns out that she wasn`t in a big ass hurry and that I got some great off the interstate directions and had a bite to eat that morning . If you are ever in Belle Fouche, South Dakota there is a hash house called Belle Inn. cheap, good grub. Decent coffee. Any way it was nice that she talked to me and shared her VW memories. Its the people. Without us ,all this stuff is meaningless. Its just stuff and places. I promise to try and remember this the next time I give you mother fuckers the bird. I will just swear quietly.

I suppose that I should get on the road and hit it to Portland.

Soon to Portland

2009-09-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

Today finds me on the move and in Missoula Montana. To get here I had to climb a few hills. Upon seeing the a sign "Continental Divide" somewhere back down the road I was filled with joy. If not for just a moment as I soon realized that this is really the beginning of the mountain phase of this trip. Flagstaff was a good chug up hill but this is a longer challenge. Driving up in the morning was definitely an advantage. Overnight temps are in the low 40`s. I have been blessed with nice dry weather. I plan to make Couer d alane Idaho in a few hours and get a room for the night. There is something funky smelling in the bus and I ditched the carpet in Minn.
I managed to find a nice little breakfast joint here in Missoula. This is a nice little town. I did not like the looks of Billings and I just drove thru it. I did stop in Livingston Mo. and had some great ribs. While trying to get a table last night at The Chop House I met a guy from the Orange county region who remembered surfing Dana Point before the marina was built. The waiter in the restaurant was getting ready to move back down to San Diego. So here I am in the middle of Montana talking to 2 surfers about surfing. What a strange and amazing country we live in. Hell... the whole world is strange. This is a fill in post for now as I have been doing a lot of driving. I will catch you later.

I did have a chance to drive through The Badlands Nat. Mon. and here are a couple of pics. It has occurred to me that on a trip this large that it is impossible to stop everywhere. There is so much cool stuff to see. The Dakota region has tons of old shit and lots of trailblazing history. It is a destination all by itself. I would like to go and spend time there. For now the drive-by will do.

OhYea... I almost for got to tell you yhay I took the Blue Bus to The Blue Earth. That of course is where the Jolly Green Giant is from: From the valley of the Jolly Ho Ho Ho...

There is one other thing that while I remember it I woulld really rather not have it as a memory. If that Queer from the hotel is following this "YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED AT YOURELF FOR TALKING TO ME THAT WAY" I use the q word as a deragatory. He was a nasty old man, that in my younger days would have punched him in the nose. The whole episode is too twisted to post. Shame on you!

Ready to roll, again.

2009-09-23T19:35:00.000-07:00

So I have been in Minneapolis for 2 nights. Today was the day that I took care of the funky smell in the bus. I have had a leaky ice chest for a while. I didn`t think it was too bad. It turns out that it was way worse and with so much rain nothing is gonna dry out, so out with the carpet. The hot shower last night took care of the rest of the funky smell. Plus I hit the suds n duds and washed the sleeping bag. It was definitely about time. The plan for tomorrow is to get into a position to adjust the valves and bump my timing for the Hill Climb. I don`t mean a Pennsylvania hill either.

For you VW lovers that is my 71 deluxe that I got from the hi-desert junkyard several years ago.
I did for get to mention that while driving through South Bend I stopped off st Notre Dame for a photo op and some bad Italian food. But I didn`t plan the bad food.

Its been a nice stop and I am ready to roll. I will catch you all later.

New Jersey to Minnesota

2009-09-23T05:47:00.000-07:00

The trip across I 90 to Minneapolis was fairly uneventful . Except for the horrible weather out of Chicago and the blown toll booth near there. That is only the second one I have missed. There is a lot of construction in the area and traffic was bad. The other blown toll both was all the way back in N.C.

I had a great time at the Flanders New Jersey VW camp out and car show. I wish that I could remember every ones names. So if I get it wrong please forgive. I have also been bad about taking pics especially at shows as I take em then I never look at em. This would have probably been a good time to use my camera as this blog can be pretty boring without the photos.

I want to give a shout out to Chris and his brother Dustin for making me feel welcomed from the very start. It was good camping with you guys. To Ray from Ottawa for the groovy Canadian coffee mug. Casey and Jane for the tip on Taylor ham egg and cheese. For those that don`t know , that is a Jersey breakfast standard. Nice Thing Casey. Hey Casey if you read this, Stay in touch and when I come across another 800 dollar bus I will let you know. I do have to say that some of the cars that the east coast guys start with are in rough shape. It takes a lot more love to bring them around. I am impressed. Like Jim's 75 Westy that he pulled from axle deep mud. Amazing. It has given me a new perspective. All that there is left to say is that Flanders ROCKS! What a great event. I highly recommend it.

On my way here I drove across three states and they looked exactly the same. There was not a lot of stopping except for fuel. I am a lousy Tourist and don`t enjoy that sightseeing stuff I will say that I am a bit homesick and that I miss my wife. Cruising around the country is fun and all but I have always known that I am really a home body. No, Not home boy. Seeing and meeting all the dogs on the way makes me miss Fred that much more. Someone in Flanders had a young Pointer and he was great.

I guess that I am just working backwards from Long Island. Too bad for me that I didn`t know about DVG as I could have caravan ed with them to Flanders. That would have been cool. Thanks for the sticker. See... Long Island is just like anywhere else in the world. Only some people are Assholes. I suppose no matter where they were they would be the same. All I can say is Cheer Up.

On the Bounce

2009-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

I left Long Island and made the Flanders NJ camp out and car show. I have been on the run since Sunday afternoon and have no real time at the computer. This will be a short Blab.

I almost made it to your place Rollin except I got on the turnpike the wrong way. Needless to say I took the long way thru PA.

As for the New Jersey show, in a nut shell " It was a blast". I will have more on that later when power and time permit.

Just a quick one for you bus guys. f you ever find yourself on I 90 check out the Belvedere Oasis. its got the Sponge Bob bus. I dont suppose these cars are ever going away. Cheers for now.

Welcome to all my followers and the new ones. You Flatter me and I thank you.

Lazy in the Hamptons

2009-09-16T19:43:00.000-07:00

So I left the outer banks on Monday morning. It was a leisurely pace to start the day. Once I realize that there was only 477 miles between me and my next destination, I figured that I could pull it off. I arrived on Long Island around 1230 am. I know that as a surfer I am a bit of a adrenalin junkie. So if you want a real rush navigate and drive across N.Y. with all the rest of humanity. I don`t mean get off the freeway or anything like that. That may cause vomiting uncontrolably or severe hemorrhoids. But really it was a challenge and I made pretty good time. It is always good to get to the end of the driving part. I had been camping in the bus for nearly 7 nights and I was ready for a break. A hot bath was the icing on the cake. My friend Mark lives in a cozy little cottage here about 30 minutes away from Montauk. Yesterday we made it out and surfed clean waist high dribblers. The hope is for Friday. If you don`t know a resident you can`t park at the beach as you need a beach pass. So I am lucky to have a connection here just to get to the beach. Where is Surfrider when you wanna surf Montauk. Hell some parts of Florida have so much no parking regulation that only residence can go to the beach. So I am hopeful for Friday.

As you may already know the Hamptons is a place where the neat and elite meet for the summer. I would guess that there are a lot of famous folks running around here its just that I don't much care . The artist Jackson Pollock drank himself to death somewhere near here. I bought some coffee at at the same store he used to buy his beer. I don`t think that the same asshole that sold me the coffee, sold Jackson his beer. Maybe... it was probably some other asshole. So now me and Jackson Pollock have something in common...assholes in the Hamptons. All the assholes aside, This is a very unique community. Very quaint. Nice beaches and overpriced everything. It is good to see old friends and new ones. I sure do love where I live.

So for now I am being lazy. Well I did do another oil change and valve adjust today and if the weather is lousy I may get a little work in on my new friend Adriannes dwarfed studio. I mean the ceiling is low. The surf is supposed to pick up tomorrow and Friday it is forecast to clean up. I hope that I get at least one session in good Montauk. It is a beautiful set up.

What a country Deux

2009-09-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the duplicates.

Oh Yea... Today when I took off to the beach to have a surf I returned to find a brown bag with groceries. Also inside was a 7th day adventist guide to Jesus some literature and a 20 dollar bill in the Jesus guide. To boot , all the food was vegan junk food. If the persons respondsible for this are reading my blog. I had the Knorr noodle dish for dinner. If I ate that on a regular basis I think something would be wrong with me. It really needs butter and salt. I had it as a side with 3 Nathans hot dogs. It was the redeeming part of the meal. I can hardliy wait to try the soy and veggie frankettes in a can. I may wait to get home for that as they would probably be better if I put em in a blender and ate em with a straw. I know its the thought that counts. I will use the 20 bucks for a really good cigar. After my blender wienies. And buy the way I won`t be joining the 7th day chuch EVER!

What a country

2009-09-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

So it is Sunday and all is quiet here at KOA Hatteras. The weekend traffic has gone and the park here is real quiet. I spent some of the day breaking camp and prepping the bus for travel. I decide to leave here and take a run into the what I would call the village. I figured to look around for a place to eat and I bought some fuel in case the wind has blown the surf out. Them I could leave first thing in the morning. I pullout of the park and head to town and there is traffic cued up in both directions. I get to the stop and the police are stopping everybody. They were checking every ones license to see that they had one. Just felt a little Gestapo. Especially in this quiet little town.

I am headed north on route 12 to 168 I do believe so tomorrow I may make Chesapeake Virginia.

The wind blew all night and really messed it up. I have surfed worse

Finally out of Florida

2009-09-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

I finally made a big push to get out of Florida. My time spent there was good to catch up but the surf was a real bust. After St. Auggies I headed to a Small town called Surf City North Carolina. I did my first urban stealth camp right in the parking lot of the fishing pier. Fishing is huge her and there are fisherman coming and going all night . Fairly busy place and it was easy to blend in, sort of. The blue bomb with Ca. plates is a little conspicuous as if I need to say. I pulled in there around 130 am and just couldn't justify the coin for a room or a camp site. Who knows where the campground is anyway. The next morning I was able to get some small clean waves. After the all time worst breakfast at the all time dirtiest greasy spoon. I was under way for the outer banks ferries. It seemed like a long day of travel. I got to the ferry terminal and I had no reservation. Luck was with me and I boarded the 2 o'clock and connected a few minutes later with the second ferry boat. At the terminal I met a couple of fellow VW bus folks and after 4 hours of visiting on the boat ride we caravaned to the KOA campground on the outer banks. It wasn't what I had planned but after the first nit and a couple of real waves I decide to spend the rest of this swell right here.
It was really great having somebody else to camp with . Arron and Ashley are fron Erie Pa. No two nicer people. Of course they are Bus people. True VW folks Ashley drives a new beetle and Arrons daily is a Golf. Then he has 2 Busses. A man after my own heart. They left today for the north.
Saturday morning was proof that I was woefully under gunned. So I had to make due with surfing Just the slightly overhead hucking barrels on offer today. What a wave! Just like the magazines.
Back in Surf City the best waves are next to the pier, of course, but surfing within 300 ft. of the pier can result in 50-500. dollar fine. And if you surf you must wear a leash. How strange is that. Fortunately for me it was just a get wet and go session. The locals are mellow and one guy even gave me the lowdown on the route here. Thanks Joe. I am gonna shut up for now. I am having power issues so sorry no pics

St. Augustines

2009-09-10T05:52:00.000-07:00

I arrived in St. Augustine to spend the after noon at the beach and catch a surf. Maybe I should say a crappy surf. The water was warm. If it had not been for someone else out I may have not gone. It really was that good. The Northeast wind has been blowing for 3 straight days now. Not so good for the surf but helps keep the Mauzies down. Last night though was just too hot and the bugs kicked my ass. At 2 am I left my camp site and went for a snooze in the day use area. Now that was a smart move. Its breezy enough that I could open all the doors and no Mauzies. That the upside to being mobile I guess. I sure had a nice nap then. I am however not going to get to town and do the tourist thing. I will save that for another trip. I feel the need to get on the road and get out of Fla. I have some miles ahead. Hopefully when I get to N. Carolina tropical storm Fred will create something to surf on there.

To me this is what Daytona has become. SPRAWL. To bad. Ormond beach is the total opposite. And of course St. Augustines has tried to stay this way. Nice place. Why do all the Bugs here bite ME?

As a little side note : I had a squirrel in my bus as soon as I turned my back. It had no idea just how much I wished my dog was here. We both hate squirrels.

No News is not good news

2009-09-09T05:59:00.000-07:00

I had a great visit with old friends from the central coast here in Satellite Beach. I was gonna have dinner with Brown Bus Troy and his wife but He wasn`t feeling well. I figure why stay here for another day of no waves when I can be farther along with no waves somewhere else. I originally headed for St. Augustine's but while on the way there I had to pass by my friend Mikes old stomping ground. So a stop seemed in order. Had some decent Mex. at Clancy's on Flagler ave. I think I will be able to get some small waves today. Then stop for lunch at THE seafood place here in New Smyrna. Off to St Augustine's. No new photos. I forgot my Camera again. I can sometimes be a lousy tourist as well as a lousy typist. Tell me " Why do all the bugs here bite"?

Out of Fort Lauderdale

2009-09-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

Its funny how things can work out sometimes. Regardless of the clock in my head or the pain in my back from sitting too long,the traffic,the stops for fuel, the tinkering on the car, food, what ever it may be. The time is the time I get there. So yesterday after all that I pull over at a pizzeria in Melbourne beach. Its getting almost dark thirty. I have no plans but I know that I should have some food before my choices are narrowed to junk food. So Pappgallos it is. There are many pizza joints around here I might add. They have a killer eggplant parm for 9 bucks. After my meal I meander, and check out the nav system looking for a place to crash for the night. I make a few calls and one that I choose from the navigator is some guys name and he asks me where I got his number and about the snafu a couple of years ago and that from time to time he gets a call like this. Well as luck would have it he directs me to Wickham park in the middle of Melbourne. So after knowing that I don't have to backtrack or drive another hour I am stoked. I walk out of the restaurant and there is this clean yellow bus parked next to mine and in it is Brown Bus from the Samba. He asks me my name and a while back he had offered me a place to urban camp and a shower. They had put a note on my window and were about to leave. So how is that for timing. You can`t make plans like that. I went to the Wickham and the Night watch Park ranger is a VW person so I got the Killer spot. But I am gonna have dinner with Brown Bus and his wife tonight. Its a good set up. People never cease to surprise me.

I am a little behind on the photos but here are a few from Lauderdale and Deerfield.

I am such a tramp

2009-09-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

So the day that I surfed Hightower beach was really the end of a small disturbance. I was lucky that day. Since then it has been flat in S. Florida. The time here in Fort Lauderdale has been relaxing and I am eating very well. Hernons wife is a chef and her mother is a great cook and asked if I was gonna stay for a little celebration for her grand daughter. She is making a Peruvian pork roast. I was gonna head out today but thought, if I leave and travel on Sunday what is the point of leaving that pork roast behind. It good to not be a vegetarian. I could leave and head north to the campground and flat surf, maybe a hotdog with some mac and cheese for dinner... or I can hang out just a little longer and get fat. HMMM...I`ll get fat.
Note that after 2 weeks or more I finally figured out how to find and reply to comments. I am fat and challenged. Gotta eat.

Made the East coast

2009-09-05T05:46:00.000-07:00

I can no longer say that I have never driven across the country. I can say that I did it in a 38 year old VW bus. Its a good car. The drive from Florence Al. to Cocoa Beach Fla. was without incident and for the most part long. I pushed through to arrive as I really needed a surf. It had been nearly 3 weeks since my last paddle out. I had encountered some rainy, blustery conditions on the road through Florida. The good part is that it made the heat a little more tolerable. When I finally did get off the highway and make it to the sand I was pleasantly surprised to find some waist high warm water waves. Now it not to say that I had travelled all this way for that, but something is better than nothing. Crowd was lite and the few guys in the water were cool I did tell one guy what I was doing, He said I was nuts. I will be sure to keep it a secret next time.
After a short surf I pushed on to Fort Lauderdale where I have people. I made it in time for a late dinner and a nice visit with friends and their new wives. It was nice. But the weather here is tough for me. I can only imagine what it must have been like when the first railroad was put in through Florida. Who thought that it would be a good idea to build where there is just swamps. Yea I guess that it takes imagination. Well I will try to get back as I have to run off for now. Sorry No pics. In my excitement to get waves I forgot.

Family time in Florence Al.

2009-09-03T08:04:00.000-07:00

After leaving E.S. Ar. I did a overnight stay in Memphis. Bar B Q was just ok and the music is still alive and well there. Had a chance to get my new hat at Lansky and sons. Then it was off to Florence Al.

If it wasn`t for family in Florence Al. I don`t know that I would spend much time here. It was good to spend time with them doing nothing at all. It is a nice small town. If I lived in a place like this I think I would go a little crazy as there is no beach or I would work a lot. I just don`t know how people that don`t surf get along. I am ready for the beach.

This is a picture of a Frank Loyd Wright designed home. It is made of plywood/wood and glass. The Rosenbaum Home even had a Frank Loyd Wright designed remodel. It still has 95% of the original plywood furniture in it. Cool pad and cooler car...ehh.

Show Time

2009-08-29T21:21:00.000-07:00

Its Saturday nite and the show is over. The last 2 days I managed to stay fairly busy. When I got to Eureka Springs I left a note at the desk of the host hotel stating that I would volunteer to help if there was anything to do. Well there was and I don`t know how I got such a cushy job selling the tee shirts. Thanks Dave. Honestly I have met so many people and have tried to remember their names. So let me apologize in advance if I mess it up. The gal that I was working with the first day , Claudette she was ok for a bayhater. I think I just made a new word. It was still a fun day. Thanks for putting up with me.

The parade through town was a hoot. Residents and tourists alike roll out for this. That was when I was real happy to have mild temps. It got a little toasty. I am sorry to the drivers behind me when the cars in front of me got away from me due to my last candy toss I got left behind. Then we were all off the course. Thank goodness for the green bus, as I was able to follow him to get back on track.

I love this show for the fact that there are a good proportion of later model cars. And there were some very nice ones. I will be surprised if they show up in any of the press.

I had initially made plans to stay here through Monday. I am leaving Sunday as I really need to surf. The sooner I get on the road the sooner I will be in Memphis.

Take a look at that crazy ride. It takes all kinds... eh.

It is impossible to photo all the nice cars so there are a couple of over view shots. People here are really great. I want to give a shout out to Jeff in the Diamond green oval. He had welcomed me from the moment I mentioned that I was headed for the show. Thanks to all those that welcomed me and for the really cool stein and mug. They will look great in my VW collection. Oh and by the way you all know now that I have an award winning bus. Thanks

This was a really special show as there was a wedding at the show. That is the wedding party.

Leaving Fort Smith redux

2009-08-28T07:12:00.000-07:00

Due to technical limitations I am able to load only 4 pics per entry. Here are a couple more.

leaving Fort Smith

2009-08-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

While staying in Fort Smith I spent most of the days getting my bus dialed in, and working on my friend Petees bus. That is the red and white one in the pics. It came from Ca. the first part of this year and in now a antique in Ark.. It is still a nice bus.

The drive up to Eureka Springs is absolutely beautiful. The trip from Fort Smith to Eur. Springs is not too far so I was able to just relax and enjoy the scenic drive up the "Pig Trail" I have yet to find out why it is called the pig trail. I suppose that I should probably ask. It runs from I-40 up ark. hwy #23 for 30 miles to Eureka Springs. It is gorgeous. Not too steep but you definatly should take it easy especially in a bus . It keeps the crap in the car from flying all around. Now thats how to describe a road condition.

I do need to mention that while working on Petees bus we had to make a run for parts and that he knew where there was the last surviving repair shop/ VW junk yard in the area just across the river in Oklahoma. So we took a little trip to Roland OK. and I was pleasantly surprised to find Polks bug repair. A little one man shop run by an enthusiast/ fire fighter. Great guy pretty cool set up. I knew when I met his dog Pierce that he was a good guy. I could have brought that dog with me. Just too funny that dog. It is people like Phillip at Polks that keep my hobby alive. He even had a surfboard at his shop. Check out that sign. Its a 69 in case you were interested.

While at Peetes powder coat shop he has this program and vinyl that they use for masking. He made me a very cool one off sticker.

Fot Smith Arkansas

2009-08-26T06:13:00.000-07:00

Its difficult to log events when there are no events to log. Its kind of like being on watch out at sea and there is really nothing to watch but you do it as you might miss something. Arrived in Fort Smith Ark. in short order after OK City. I have finally sorted out the bus issues. Its been a learning experience. I wound up finding my carburetor parts at a motorcycle shop. I really have to mention that in my search that I meet some of the nicest people and they actually want to help.

While driving along there are so many things to write about but I wind up brain dead when it comes time to write. Cruising the highway at 60 miles an hour gives you lots of time to think and of course you get to see all the other nuts on the road. Even though I am going 60 I manage to pass the same people over and over. You know the tortoise and hare syndrome. I really do wonder when is it that we got ourselves in a big damn hurry. I think I like a little slower. Only bummer is that while on the road those big ass trucks are not on the same program.

Speaking of trucks and truckers I had a idea that those guys are become their own human sub species. Have you been in one of those mega truck stops. They have a lounge, laundry facility's, showers, a kwiki mart all in one. You never have to get off the road UUGH... its like a bad locker room at a gym where nobody is ever gonna be in shape. Now I guess the thing is trucker teams. It must be a hard job. Most are still courteous.

Our stay in Fort Smith Has been a nice break as the weather has been great. I have been able to get my car together and help my friend Pete with his for the 2 hour country road cruise to Eureka Springs for a VW show and gathering. I'm ready for some Bar B Q.

2009-08-23T20:36:00.000-07:00

I need to note that this is all new to me and the touchpad on this Computer is pretty sensitive. I will try to not post duplicate shots again.

As it turns out to be the weekend and no one is open I decided to make some calls and get some technical advise from the pros. It was the right thing to do with all repair and VW parts guys closed. I made some adjustments and got back on the road. Flagstaff is a nice small town and it was fun for a day. It was a much needed nites sleep. The Bus is always a great conversation piece.

The Managers at the Flagstaff KOA campground were really great. Janiel and Justin were very gracious and made a few phone calls on my behalf. Just good people. It was with Justins encouragement that got me to move along. Janiel has the vw tattoo.

The drive to OK. city was really uneventful. Kinda boring. Especially at 60 mph. Now that I am within striking distance of Arkansas and tomorrow is Monday I think I will be able to access the parts I need and be able to enjoy the drive instead of watching my tempurature light. I am hole up in the Motel 6 in OK. city and everytime I stay at one of these places I wonder why I did it again. They suck. I may just sleep in the bus. It is still good for a shower and the can.

The run to Arizona

2009-08-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

Good morning to all. It is Sat. aug 22.
I will try not to bore you as the trip so far has been just alot of driving. In my efforts to get somewhere at a prescribed time I find myself in a hurry and it really is unnecessary. The drive across the desert was quite nice as I had mild temps and calm winds. The mountains in northern AZ. proved to be the real chaiienge and I am having some temperature issues. Not to big a real right now but it needs to be addressed before I leave Flagstaff. Not a bad place to hold up. I did a valve adjust and am now on a parts quest this morning.

Getting started

2009-08-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

It is a week before my departure date and I suppose that I should write something down so as to start this off. I am however a crappy typist, so it takes a while to create. The deal is that I am going on a trip of a lifetime and it hasn`t really sunk in yet. The Bus is ready and I really need to pack some stuff and go. I am hoping to get to Eureka springs Arkansas for a VW show on the weekend of the 28-30th of Aug. That was the original idea. I figured since I am all that way across America from San Luis Obispo Ca. that maybe I should just make a plan the keep going. I have always wanted to surf the Atlantic if for no other reason than to say I did. So the loose plan is to make my way to Florida and see some friends and visit family in Alabama. Once on the east coast at this time of year I hope to encounter some of this hurricane generated swell in the Atlantic. I have a friend in the Hamptons and I am sure many more that I have not met yet in between. So begins this odessey in my ugly blue beater 1971 VW bus.
I think that I have to mention that some of this motivation comes from my 2 Norwegian friends that past thru here last March on their way to Bolivia in a 71 bus. I had the chance to meet and work on their bus after it broke down here on the Central Coast Alek, Thomas thanks for the nudge Check their trip @ Greattransamericanadventure.blogspot.com