Seems like most of the folks I meet out in the world who have Vanagons
I've either met in the parking lot of my local bike store here in Iowa
City, or in the parking lot of the REI on the Northeast Freeway in
Atlanta.  Check the parking lots of the Unitarian-Universalist
Congregations in Chattanooga and Atlanta as well.  Usually at least two
in the lot for Sunday services.

I think we're stereotyped, eh? <grin>

But no dogs here--occasionally find myself paddling, though.

Donald Baxter
Iowa City, IA
'85 Vanagon GL

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Stephen Steele
Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 10:37 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: What do Vanagon drivers ride?

After seventeen years of VW van ownership I have found that most Vanagon
and particularly most Westy owners do four things... camp, ride
bicycles, paddle and own dogs.

I have camped since I was three or four years old. Family, scouting,
college, young adult; family and scouting again. After many years of
experimenting, I have found that for me and mine the Westy is the BEST
way to enjoy Nature and not HAVE to pack, paddle or pedal all the stuff.
I can leave the stuff packed in the Westy, throw on the bikes and/or the
kayaks. The Westy is the base camp for whatever adventure we want. And
sometimes it's perfect for just going out and setting up to sit around
and sip stout or cabernet and smell the pines.

Without listing them I have 17 bikes in my garage. Two kayaks hang in
anticipation of the next creek trip. Canoes are at the cabin. And the
two schnauzers are ready for anything that means a ride in the van.

Waiting for Spring!

--
Stephen Steele*
Chillicothe OH
'91 Caravelle  "Hans"
'87 Westy      "Franz"
'84 Westfalia  "Fritz"  on loan to my nephew
'81 Diesel Rabbit "Ol' Yeller" by PO
'82 Caddy VW Diesel P.U.
'90 Jetta GL  17 yo Sons' "together" car
'74 MGB  My first car...yep, I've kept it since '74
'93 Chevy S-10
*all rights reserved/no portion of this document may be reproduced w/o
prior written permission