A quick story.

So I'm driving to the gym, when I pass a guy I know that I haven't seen in a while. I pull over and walk over to his truck and begin to talk. About five minutes later, a young mom and like 8 kids comes up and asks if her kids can peek inside since its an "antique". I say of course, and go one step further. I pop the top and open the slider door, and pop the top, to a chorus of ooooooooooooooooooooooooohs. So, I leave them too it, and walk back over to his truck. Shortly there are a dozen kids all climbing on Doodle before the cute little mom takes them all (im guessing by the Asian one they are not all hers, but what do I know) back out and thanks me.

Its final. My bus is a rockstar.

El washo de buso....

So what started out as a beautiful day, with a chance of rain, seemed like the PERFECT day to wash and wax Doodle. Haven't done it in so long, I figured I would. In fact, Ive never waxed. Ah well, I enjoy it, so lets get to it.

I should also mention, that any carwashage comes complete with Classic Journey (as in, not that asian guy) blaring from the garage stereo. I mean, thats kinda assumed, ain't it? Well it should be. That reminds me. I need a Journey sticker for Doodle. Hmm. Things to ponder. Wash complete, I moved to the Wax phase, when.....

I got a helper! A little back story on this kid. He lives across the street. Apparently, his dad doesn't do much with him, so hes always at our house watching me work on stuff. This is also the kid that loudly pronounced to the entire world that "Kirk has a junkyard in his back yard!" when in truth, I had one bus I was parting out neatly. I'm just glad code enforcement saw it that way, but that is a story for another time. So after convincing him that waxing the bus was a fun job (ala Tom Sawyer) he got after it. Put wax on every surface he could reach, including the headlights. Not too skimpy with my carnuba wax either, so it was well waxed.

Admittedly, I did end up washing and fixing his bicycle for him in trade, but I still think I came out on top honestly. You know, as I waxed and listened to Journey, I was thinking, why does anyone need a shrink? Buy a volkswagen bus (insert your favorite car here, I suppose. I think VW really does help more than a Honda tho) turn up the tunes and wax/wash it. Dunno why anyone would need therapy after that, but I digress. Until next time Constant Reader.

Just another day at the office.....

Well, thanks to this weekends successfull trip, I opted for Doodle instead of my truck for my morning commute. I sure like looking down outside my office and seeing my bus waiting on me. Reminds me of how great my trip home is gonna be.

Well, when lunchtime came, who do you think offered to drive? ME. so I loaded up some coworkers, took them to lunch in Doodle. Yes, they actually liked it. Gotta share the VW love when you can, I always say.

Sorry for the cell quality pics, its all I had. Regardless, Happy Valentines day to me!

Westfalia Shop Day!

To celebrate my new found Westfalia freedom, I decided to spend the day in Irving, Texas helping my crippled buddy try to get his camper back on the road. His legs were run over by a passing car while replacing the throttle cable on his bug, so hes in a big cast. SO. I decided it would be a perfect road test for Doodle, because his house is 83 miles away. I'm in, lets go.

What an ugly mug. Ah well. We make do with what God gives us. Doodle performs quite well all the way to Irving. The passing trucks make me wobble a bit, but Im pretty glad I sprung for the load rated tires. Not quite as bad as it could be. 65-75 all the way there. Right when I get there tho, Doodle starts chugging and sputtering. Once I get there, I find that one of the heater hoses has dropped down and gotten shredded in the fan. No es bueno. I cleaned it up, and had a great afternoon working. Doodle was clearly the bell of the ball.

Interesting side note about this camper here. This was my original sage green westy. 1978 model, and heavily rusted. I sold it to my friend Greg so I could buy Doodle. Sadly, its reached the end of its road. Its good parts are going to his orange bus, which is mostly rust free. Two combine down to make one, and BAM. El Gangreeno is born. Dont ask me. I dont name them.

Pictured here are two of my buddies, Robb Axelrod and Bill Bauer. Bill is working on his Sage Green Westy also, pictured later. He is bringing it back from WAAAAAY dead. Robb drives the Splitty.

Here is Robb and Bill again. Bills bus and you can see the red bug that Greg was working on when his legs got run over. Door is mangled.

Well, at days end, its time to go home. A little 93 ocatane, and I'm ready for the highway.

On the way back, I see a dealership, and swing in for a photo op with the new Jettas. Hmm. I think I'll keep what I got, thanks.

Again, 83 miles back to the house, with a tail wind, and I am running fine. Again though, right before I got home, Doodle started sputtering. I think its the points this time. Thinking about switching to electronic points. We shall see. Untill next time Constant Reader, drive somewhere in your bus today. It deserves it.

Back Home...

Hello Constant Reader. You miss me? I doubt it. But, I missed you. That counts, right? Good! Well for an update, Doodle turned out to have burned plugs on the Cold Start Valve, and Thermo Time switch. Not a huge deal, and quite a bit less than buying those parts. So I ordered a ton of parts from Bus Boys, to include plugs, plug wires, other small things. So I wait.

And wait.

And wait.

AND WAIT.

Bus boys is slow as shit, btw.

And wait.

Finally my parts come in. Plugs replaced. Got my man Robb to help with the timing. Valves adjusted again. And he fired right off. Idles well. To celebrate, I put 68 miles on him today. Ahh.....

I can't tell you how awesome it feels to be back behind the wheel of Doodle. I've missed him so. Camping to come. I promise. :)