How true this is.  Let me just start with my story.  A friend
and I were in
Burgettstown PA to see a concert a couple of fridays ago.
After the show, we
made it about 5 miles down rt 22/30 before we overheated.  We
were right next to
an exit so I got off the highway and turned off the van.  We
were in the middle
of nowhere and ended up getting towed to a garage in McDonald
PA.  Once the
mechanic looked at my van and showed me what part we needed
we were stuck.  Half
of the parts places I called didn't even know what the part
was.  (Oh how I
wished we had access to the list.)  I was very skeptical
about the whole
situation as no one seemed to know anything about
Volkswagens.  My friend and I
ended up renting a car and leaving the van at the garage
(much to my dismay)
until he could get the part shipped to him, and continued on
our journey to
indiana (yes to see more shows).  We returned this past
sunday and picked up the
van and headed home to upstate NY.  Unfortunately we didn't
make it, the van
overheated again about an hour from my house.  luckily this
time we were in an
area I was familiar with (I went to college there) and I knew
a reputable VW
mechanic in the area. I get to pick the van up tomorrow and
am confident in the
job that was done, this time. (And the heads are
ok...wooohoo!)
All I can say is that I was at a loss while in an unfamiliar
part of PA and
would have loved to have been prepared with the names and
phone numbers (even
email addresses) to some VW lovers out there that could have
steered me in a
better direction that the one I got stuck going.  If anyone
does know the link
please let us all know!!
Thanks for your time.
Kelly
'89 vanagon gl "bullet"

Dan Stevens wrote:

> I have just helped a fellow fron NC who had a overheat in
NY. I wasn't as
> much help as I hoped for, he took it to PEP BOYS after
calling. but just to
> know that someone is outthere when you are there.  I hope
he gets home fine.
>
> But this made me think of some of the important things when
we are out and
> abroad.
> and one that is probably often overlooked is a floppy with
your favorites
> folder saved to it.
>
> you can access this at most public libraries and from many
friends house..
> and if your research for a big trip was complete then you
have many items
> saved that pertain to the geographic area in a specific
folder  ie. "maine
> links"
>
> I do know there was a list on the internet for people to
post their names
> and address for others to have when traveling, I cannot
remember the link or
> find the fav'
> it was at a vw bus/van site so if anybody has the link
please forward it to
> me as well as the list.
>  sharing your name and address across the internet is as
risky as your
> Credit card info  but within the generally closed circle of
travelers we are
> all should be well. if you are squimish then just post an
E-mail addr and
> ask to be contacted that way. should eliminate most of the
creeps.
>
>   when travelling there is nothing better than peace of
mind that another VW
> person is only a call and maybe a few miles away. even if
just to recommend
> the best local VW garage. Beats the AAA drivers contract
drop off. which is
> rarely in a pleasant part of town..