Doodle heads to the hills!

Well Howdy Constant Reader! (You do realize this is Texas right? Just checkin.) So April in Texas means one thing if you are a VW fan. Texas VW Classic. Biggest show all year. People come from far and wide. Even with the issues they have been having lately with camping and such, its still a must see. And this year, I decided to see it from the front seat of Doodle.  For reference...

Can you see me?! Right there. No, over a bit. Yeah! (Disclaimer: Or no.) So, just so you are aware, Fredericksburg is 347 miles away from me, using the freeway for a third and back roads from Georgetown, Texas to Llano, Texas down south to Fredericksburg. The back roads are the best parts really. So, in the weeks preceeding my epic journey (and my first Doodle camping experience) I drove Doodle every day. Did a tune up. Oil change. Started him randomly throughout the day. Nothing. No issues, no hicups, nothing. And awayyyyy we go.

Now I have to say, crusing along the highway was quite a treat in Doodle. With the load rated tires, and new found power, the only time I had any issues where when battling passing semis. Otherwise, no issues! Awesome. Stopped in Georgetown for fuel top off and to check the oil. Everything seemed like it was running well. Little chugging on initial acceleration, but nothing major. So off we go through the hill country, little SRV (thats Stevie Ray Vaughn for the musical greatness challenged among us.) as my co-pilot.

The scenery out here is amazing. Made Doodles slow pace worth it, so I could see what was going on. If there is a better way to see the Texas Hill Country than behind the wheel of a classic VW Westfalia, I dont know what it might be. I did manage a few cool pics tho....



So a little over six hours later I arrive at Fredricksburg and join my buddies. Yay!

Interestingly enough, it was quite warm during the day, so warm infact, I got a pretty decent sunburn. At night however...

My phone said 35 degrees when I took this pic! See that orange? Thats my subzero sleeping bag. The one thing saving me from certain doom! Hahahahaha *ahem* So, after an uneventful weekend, sleeping in Doodle while enjoying all that is VW hijinkery (yes, constant reader, you can make up your own words when writing in your own blog! Isnt it scandiferous?!) So, time came to ride home, and doodle fired right up. Yay! Lets head back. 347 miles to go. :)

I did have to stop by Lake Bachman(?) or Llano Lake. Can't remember and I'm too lazy to check. It was here that I first started hearing a slight exhaust leak. Wait. Did someone say photo op? Hell yes I'll take pics of Doodle by a lake!

And one place I've waited for a pic of since last year. A wall in Bertram, Texas. Dunno what it means, but I really really liked it. And, Doodle liked it as well. So did all the passing cars. At least they must have. They all honked and waved. I doubt I had TP on my shoe, but I digress.

Well, thats about it. Otherwise its just me, back roads, and the blissful sounds of a well tuned flat four engine. Although, that exhaust leak is troubling. Hmmm... Well, for my first camping excursion in Doodle, I really, really enjoyed it. I can see why people fall in love with these things. Unrelatedly, my buddy Herman drove in from Amarillo. I fell in love with his new tires. I love my Vancos, but DAYUM. I likes me some of these. I may have to consider an upgrade.

Love those. LOVE. Hmmm. Anyway, from Doodle and I to you, wheres your Westy parked?

Touch up painting!

Okay, so Doodle is "paint challenged" as it relates to the two slider covers on either side. So, in my infinate wisdom, I decide I am going to use some of my super fly VWoA spray paint and touch them up. Hmm. Okay, lets see how this works out.

The first thing I need is a good primer. I talked to the guys at Auto Color, and explained what I was doing. This is what they reccomended in a spray can. Fair enough, lets go.

Now, lets first start with some before pics, so you can see exactly what I'm working with. They were really the main blemishes to Doodles appearance, like a zit on the prom queen type style, so lets see what I can do about it.

Okay, that last is a little area above the hatch that is bent for some unknown reason. Alright, rust pictured, lets see what we can do about it. I'll skip the tedious steps. First thing I did was sand with some 1000 grit paper, to get everything ready for primer. Then, I taped off using the 2009 "Travel Texas" magazine yours free of charge from the State of Texas visitors center. I need to go get a 2011. Its what I use to plan my (thus so far imaginary) trips in Doodle. Back on topic.

Okee Doke, now lay down a little primer. Luckily there was no wind and an oddly warm March day, so it should be fine.

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics, but I think you get the idea. Tape, paper, primer. Now paint!

Now to let it bask in some of that Texas Sun greatness. Ahhh. (Insert 80's movie montage here, with your choice of song. Or the hands of a clock spinning in an expedient manner. Which ever you prefer.)

Now time for the unveil!

Hmm. Honestly? I'm not a huge fan. Paint didnt dry smooth. Looks touched up (obviously) but, its a decent ten footer. Not perfect by any means at all. Damn. What can ya do tho? I'm no professional. What I'll do is have them painted when Doodle goes under the knife this winter for rust/spare tire removal. You know, slide it in. "Say brotha, since you already got paint mixed n stuff, why not throw a lil down on those for me? 'Preciate it." Or something less ethnic. I dunno. Anyway, surface rust is at bay, Doodle looks better from a distance, and all is right with the world. Adios Constant Reader, I have a date with a 3800 pound green bus. Have a great weekend.

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.