Life in the slow lane

One thing about traveling in a 5000 lb vehicle powered by a 78 horsepower engine that was designed and manufactured when the speed limit on most highways was 55 mph is that you often end up in the slow lane. I often say that adventures in life are not always about the destination, but its always about the journey. Think in terms of life in general here. If we were all so focused on the destination then would anyone ever really live at all? We'd all be too focused on death to even consider living. Napolean Hill had a saying, that everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die. In Jack London's "The Sea Wolf" there is a scene where Hump is talking philosophy with Wolf Larsen. Hump had been at odds with the cook and they were eyeing each other while sharpening knives but neither man was bold enough to make a move to slash, fight or kill the other. In the end both men were cowards in that regard. Wolf states in a way that comes across as crass and sarcastic, that if one had killed the other they would only be expediting that person to eternity. Wouldn't you just be doing the cook a favor by helping him to his destination?... 

View from Pikes Peak

So, I had a small digression. No matter. The point is that cruising the highways of today in yesterday's vehicle has its pros and cons. On the bright side, when you are traveling in a relatively slow moving machine, you have a chance to take it all in. Figure it along the lines of stopping to "smell the roses" or even the parable of the tortoise and the hare. Being the tortoise with slow and steady progress is in itself a victory. This is all well and good as I often find myself traveling on what some people refer to as the blue roads. (On old maps, the back roads were drawn in blue, but today they are often thin red lines.) The secondary highways with their slower speed limits and the nice winding scenic routes they often traverse have much to offer for all the Vanagoonies of the world. Cruising in 4th gear at lower RPMs improves the vehicle's gas mileage and doesn't put too much strain on the squirrels in the engine bay. On roads like these the Vanagon is quite at home.

Though cruising in the slow lane has its merits, there are several courtesies that will make doing so more pleasurable for all those you encounter. One of my first lessons was taught by the extremely powerful (I kid) Toyota hybrid known as the Prius, and the lesson is, expect to be passed. When you drive a Vanagon, expect to be passed by others, even by the environmentally-friendly in their Prii (plural for Prius?). Accept it, and if you are on a two lane highway, I think it is good practice to occasionally put on the right turn signal, pull off to the side and wave others by. This practice will allow for fewer frantic drivers passing at inopportune times. There have been several near misses that I have witnessed even though I often do pull to the side. 

Wilson in the thin air over 14,000 feet!

Another lesson of the slow lane is that when you end up behind a heavily laden big rig (18-wheeler) that is slowly ascending a mountain pass with its hazards on, the best practice is to put on your hazards and stay in your lane. Attempting to drop down a gear and go around the slow moving monster often leads to two slow moving vehicles going neck and neck clogging up the entire road. You might think your van can pass and it is possible that it may, but the time it will take to get out and around the truck is often much longer than most other drivers are willing to wait.

The waning light plays with the fog in White River Junction

One time when I was driving up a large hill on 287 through NJ in a rain storm at night I found myself closing on a slow moving piggy-backed trailer with its flashers flashing away. I checked my mirrors and decided to take a chance. I put my turn signal on and proceeded to the middle lane. Just as the van crossed completely into the center lane, another truck that was coming full bore up the road behind me let me know I miscalculated the power of my passing gear by laying on his horn. My heart went into my throat and my van went back to the slow lane just in time to save my ass. 

Another lesson learned as I traveled across this great country of ours is that there are times when the speed limit far exceeds the capabilities of the mighty 1.9. Sometimes it is the grade of the hill you are climbing, and sometimes it is just the laughable speed posted on the highways of the mid-west, mountain-west and south-central USA. There have been several occasions where I had to downshift into second and even into first while making an ascent. It is recommended by some to keep the air conditioning off while making such ascents. The extra load on the engine will increase the likelihood of an overheat condition regardless of the vehicle make or model. That being said, Wilson has taken me up Pikes Peak, over Teton Pass, and along the Chief Joseph Highway without incident. In each of these places we have witnessed others who have had their hoods open and their engines smoking, so be safe out there. 

Chief Joseph is a beautiful winding mountain road.

In Texas, there are some two lane highways that have a 70mph speed limit. I learned quickly that if you are driving along such roads at a speed slower than 75 or 80, (which is not practical and often not possible in my van without favorable conditions such as the wind at your back and heading downhill) and you do not promptly move over for the 18 wheelers you encounter, you may find yourself being passed by said rigs on either or both sides of your vehicle depending on other traffic conditions and the size of the shoulder on the road. So, be safe out there and move over early and often.  

On Teton Pass- Yonder is Jackson Hole!

Another lesson to learn, especially when traveling in the central and north western areas of the country, is to always carry extra gas. Relying on maps and technology won't always help you if you miss the sign on the side of the road that says that the next gas station is 100 miles away. Other times you may just have to pass several exits that are spaced 20 miles apart that have small signs that read, "NO SERVICES" until you reach a tiny town in the middle of nowhere that has one store and a gas pump. Or maybe you are like me and you get distracted by conversation and forget to keep your eye on the often fluctuating needle. Whatever the case, a gas can can help get you there. 
 

Yay! GAS... oops. NO GAS!

Lastly, traveling in the slow lane offers myriad opportunities to see and do things in places you would have not otherwise considered. If its watching the waning sunlight over the small town of White River Junction in South Dakota, or having a beer in the tavern there. If its stopping on the side of the road to steal a kiss from the woman you love or if its finding the waterfall you had no idea existed, remember we likely only get to pass through here once, so make the most it!

The Maiden Voyage

So, you purchased your van after spending hours and weeks and then months searching and researching and looking for the right van at the right price. Then you spent hours and weeks and days purchasing and upgrading and repairing all of the little problems that needed addressing. In my case, Wilson needed an exhaust system installed, a steering rack, a couple of mirrors replaced, an alternator bracket, some brake work, and a few other odds and ends. Most notably, the fuel lines were still original and had never been changed, which was very dangerous. I was also amazed to find the little fire wall plastic piece, which fails often, still sitting in its happy home waiting to one day wreak havoc and incinerate this 30 year old machine.

After a few shake down trips to work out some more kinks (replaced axles, head light switch, water pump and throttle body), including several trips around town and a longer trip down the interstate and across state lines to visit a buddy, the time had come for Wilson and I to embark on our Maiden Voyage together. The plan was to drive over 600 miles from NY to VA to meet up with some friends at a trail festival, then head further south to the Tampa Bay area, where my brother, who is a mechanic, and I would get a chance to tackle a grocery list of repairs that would be easier to do with a lift and an entire shop full of tools.  

In the days prior to departure, I went through a check list of things that I wanted to bring and things I felt I needed to bring. Clothing, check, towels, check, bedding, check, bicycles, check, jumper cables, check, tool box full of common tools, check. The insurance plan that I purchased has 15 miles of free towing included in it so I didn't buy AAA (which I still haven't gotten, but it is on my list of things to do).

My mind raced and my body was filled with excitement. I counted down the days. I checked and rechecked and inspected and reinspected. I spent time washing and waxing and even began working on the luxury items in the van. I checked the kitchen and found the propane regulator had a big hole in it so I replaced it. I even went out and purchased a new radio so I would be able to play songs from my phone through the stereo.

Measure twice, cut once is a saying that I picked up in my days as a carpenter's assistant. I think its good advice. It doesn't only apply to woodworking, but to life in general. Make sure you are ready to go before you actually go. And after months of preparation, I was ready!

I don't know if it's like this for everyone, but when the long-awaited departure day arrived, I wasn't nervous. The feeling I had that day is not one that I think is easily described. I was jubilant, I was overjoyed, but I was also relaxed and confident. I was anxious, but I was also reserved. After saying my good-byes and making one last visual inspection, it was time to go. I unplugged the van, hopped in and set the refrigerator to DC mode. Then I jumped in the drivers seat, stepped on the clutch and turned the key. The engine fired right up without any hesitation and I took a few seconds to choose the appropriate song for such an occasion as this. I turned up the volume and heard the following sounds... Ba da, ch, Ba da, ch Ba da ch Ba da WILSON! Ba da ch Ba da WILSON!

I lifted my foot and away we went! For the most part I would consider the trip to be a gigantic success on many levels. There were a few minor challenges but none that stopped us in our tracks. The odometer that I thought I had fixed gave up on me, the fuel tank decided to leak if you filled the tank to the top, and at one gas station visit, the starter decided not to engage after fueling up. To remedy this I started to push the van down a small hill to pop start it, and was quickly lent a hand by a few good people in the station. Westfalia vans are not light and they are not easy to push, but many hands make light work and after a brief "oh shit moment", we were off and running again.

The only other pain in the ass about that first trip wasn't really a pain in the ass but a pain in my feet. I found out that the heater control switch was busted and heat continually poured through the vents. I had purchased a cheap oscillating fan that plugged into the accessory outlet, so I set it on the floor to help but it really wasn't enough. Otherwise, the seating was quite comfortable, in spite of the springs that I could feel through the worn out cushions. 

In all, the trip to Florida with a stop over in VA, TN, NC, and GA was a great success. The adventure lasted from May 9th to June 1st and was really only the first leg of an even longer and more amazing adventure through 17 Eastern States. When we arrived in Florida in time to celebrate my fathers 63rd birthday, after having been camping, hiking, boating, biking, zip-lining, fishing, all around adventuring I didn't care how much money it cost me to get there. I really only cared that we were there to celebrate, and celebrate we did! Cheers to many more Vanagoonie Adventures! Woohoo!!!