Jim:  We will miss your presence on the list, but at least you're not
leaving Iowa!!!!  Will check in on you next trip to Decorah-ville.

DM&FS

At 01:57 PM 10/25/2009, James Fritz wrote:
>Volks,
>
>Just thought I'd let you know that we've sold our 66 Beetle and our 89
>Westfalia camper in the last two weeks.  The Westy just pulled out of
>the driveway with a new owner a couple hours ago.
>
>It was almost like losing family (odd to think about) because my wife
>had the 66 Beetle as her first car when she was 16 years old.  We
>drove it from California to Iowa when we were first dating back in
>1981.  We bought the van 10 years ago.  It was something I'd lusted
>after for years and finally researched it and knew what I wanted.  We
>took a big trip out west, went to Colorado, and did some smaller
>camping trips.  Family health curtailed our camping and the Westy has
>mostly been in storage for the past 6 years.
>
>We've had a fleet here lately.  '06 Prius, '04 Ford Ranger, '89 Westy,
>'66 Beetle, and a '54 Beetle.  My father-in-laaw totally restored the
>'54 Beetle to cherry.  We've decided to keep it.  We were paying too
>much for licenses, insurance, and repairs to keep storing them.  Its
>almost harder on cars to store them than to drive them.  It was the
>only logical thing to do but its funny how it tugged at the heart
>strings.
>
>Now it all goes to pay for college tuition.................
>
>I wanted to take the time to thank all of you on the list for the
>invaluable info that you provided to me over the years to help me keep
>Old Blue in tip top.  I clued the new owner onto the list and I know
>you'll welcome her with open arms.  I especially wanted to thank and
>acknowledge Budd Premack, Joel Walker, Max Wellhouse, Darrell Boehler,
>JordanVW, Malcom Stebbins as well as many others unnamed.  While you
>might not have known who I was, as a "lurker" I gained incredible
>insight into these wonderful machines and the community that surrounds
>them.
>
>While a new chapter begins, I'll look back at all the memories I have
>(Buses over the Rainbow), camping in the Tetons, etc. with deep
>fondness.
>
>I bid you all Bon Voyage, may the wind be at your back, your roads all
>downhill, and that the Westy gods deliver heaping doses of good VW
>karma on you all.
>
>Thanks!!!!
>
>Jim in Iowa
>'89 Westy (former owner)
>'66 Beetle (former owner)
>'54 Beetle (owner for life)