You know, based on my experiences over the past year and a half, I don't
think it takes courage for a non-mechanical person to buy an 18 year old
vehicle and embark on a long trip.

I think it takes willful ignorance and a blithe assumption that everything
will work out!  Which some people might express (less kindly) as being a
stupid idiot!

But it can still be a great time, even when all kinds of disasters happen.
Some of the best folks I've met have been strangers whom I had to depend on
when I broke down.  If I were as competent and independent with the Vanagon
as I am in the rest of my life I'd never have met any of them!

The major thing I've learned is that I should never make plans that involve
other people's schedules.  I've had to pull out on way too many people
because of mechanical troubles.  It's not fair to them.

Lisa, I hope your friend in Colorado could deal if you showed up two weeks
late!

Oh, and is your van named after Bree in "The Horse and his Boy?"

Joy

****************************************************************
Joy Hecht
and Matilda, 1989 Burgundy Vanagon

For musings about life and the vanadventures:
http://users.rcn.com/jhecht/gypsy

****************************************************************

:::-----Original Message-----
:::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
:::Of Dennis Haynes
:::Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 11:05 PM
:::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
:::Subject: Re: Let me introduce myself- finally!
:::
:::I think it takes a lot of courage for a non mechanical person to buy an
:::18 year old vehicle and embark on a 1,600 mile trip through the
:::mountains.