Hey Eric,
You among us all, are certainly "living the dream"!  Carry on!
Thanks for the nice report.

Cheers,

Mr. BZ

On Tue, Aug 4, 2015 at 12:10 AM, Eric Caron <ecaron1@comcast.net> wrote:

> East coast event report no mechanical content.
>
> Positive VW event report
>
> From this past weekend,
>
>
>                 The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in Hills Dale NY happens
> annually the first weekend in August. It is a perfect place for a folk
> music lover to take full advantage of having a VW bus, van, or camper.
> I’ve attended the Three day concert 5 times in the past 20 years or so,
> once in my 76 Westfalia, once with a tent, and the last three years with my
> 85 Westfalia.  In all cases the music was great.  However, only with the VW
> did I really enjoy the full magic of the weekend. Now that I live nearby
> this will continue to be an annual summer event.
>
>
> The 2015 Festival was especially enjoyable due to the increased presence
> of other VW campers.  On Thursday I arrived and drove to my usual spot in
> the upper pasture.  I put the extra leveler’s I brought to work on the
> slope and had a spot with lovely sound and I’m told lovely views.  Almost
> immediately campers from past years stopped by to say hello and comment on
> my VW Camper. Ok some visitors also were there to comment on my lovely
> guide dog.   After listening to a free concert at the Lounge stage I went
> off to sleep about midnight.  The campfire stages provided music late into
> the night.
>
>                 The next day I got a lovely surprise.  Two friends met at
> a few past VW bus events called and said they would be joining us.  By 4:00
> our two pop tops were clearly visible on the ridge.  It was not long after
> that when more visitors began to arrive. Among those that stopped by to
> discuss VW campers were many past and future owners.  But some of the
> visitors really stood out.
>
>                 Todd Candelli, Cousin to Frank pulled up in a ford Van and
> parked in line with us.  He moved up to join us from the louder camp area
> below.  A 1978 Westphalia with Hawaii plates almost camped with us but he
> said he didn’t have levelers and the slope was just too much for him.  The
> young woman with a lovely camperized 87 Synchro showed up and not long
> after her father, who worked on  that van and many others, stopped in.
> They had already set up camp below but I expect we will be joined by them
> up above next year.  A man name Dean described his 79 Westphalia with a
> recent Subaru conversion.  It was almost ready for Falcon Ridge but he felt
> he needed just a bit more work before he should take it on a long hot
> trip.  Down below one other vanagon and at least two euro vans were among
> those camped closer to the pirate stage and other extra performance sites.
> Another Vanagon was spotted dropping off musicians by the main stage.
>
>                 This event has much of the same positive energy as a VW
> bus gathering.  But the music, venders, and joyful people add a different
> but positive experience.
>
>                 In the vendor area I found some amazing VW bus stickers.
> Some of the most fun I’ve found in a long time.  It will take some time to
> decorate my bus with them.  I’ll also share the extras I bought at the next
> VT West river Westy’s  auction fundraiser.
>
> Before leaving the concert on Sunday we moved our two Westphalia’s down
> into the lower area.  We could see them from the main stage area.  There
> was a constant flow of people stopping to walk around the two vans.  These
> concert campers appreciated those VW campers!  And, I certainly felt very
> fortunate to be “living the dream.”
>
>
>                 East coasters or travelers Consider joining us next year.
> The more VW campers in the upper pasture the better.  There is a wide range
> of music and activities. Some folks stay up very late playing and listening
> to music.  Others rise early and go hiking or swimming at lovely local
> spots. It is a magical time that would be even more special with more VW
> folks gathered together.
>
>
>
>                 If you want more info about the event or tips for making
> the camping extra comfortable email me and we can share info or arrange a
> call.
>
>                 One helpful thing to know.  The organizers appreciate
> volunteers and also hire folks on Monday to help with clean up.  Between
> volunteering and clean up, folks on a tight budget can still enjoy the
> festival and go a long way to covering the ticket cost.  For me the price
> including camping and great music is well worth it.
>
> Eric Caron
> 85 GL Auto Westfalia
> Living the Dream in Southern VT

-- 
Tom Buese