Hello All,

        I just wanted to send a quick message introducing myself. I'm new to
the list but not new to vanagons. I picked-up a new Carat in 6/1991, drove
it nonstop until last November. When I decided it wasn't worth fixing
anymore and retired it. It is wrecked on all 4 sides, needs tires, leaks
oil, leaks water and has well over 300,000 miles. It's now parked in the
barn and I'm using it for parts. My wife has a small antique store, plus our
4 daughters, we were missing the versatility of the vanagon, so I purchased
another '91 Carat, just this past May. Then I purchased a 1988 GL Westy in
June. I'm in the process of bringing it back to life. I found it in a guys
side yard, where it had been parked for the past 5 years. I'm now best
friends with the people at the Bus Depot.... ;-)  Myself and my youngest
daughter will be taking the Westy on its first road trip, leaving New
Jersey, Saturday, 11/19. We're planning to stop at the bus gathering in SC,
the "Thanksgiving Misgivings" with the Full Moon Bus Club. Next, a stop for
some beach time in Florida, then head west to Texas for Thanksgiving dinner
with my family in Austin. I haven't planed the route back yet, I just need
to be back in the office on 12/5.

I look forward to seeing some fellow 'listers' on the road somewhere,

        Clark