Date:         Fri, 20 Jan 2023 22:02:37 -0500
Reply-To:     Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Trip report Busses By the Bridge
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi folks,

        thanks to list member Tom Buese, I had a great trip to Buses by the Bridge at Lake Have Su City AZ.

        There were several highlights including visiting with List member Karl Mullendore, forgive my spelling.  And, I did purchase his adaptor in anticipation of installing a new Gear reduction starter in my 84.

Probably one of the most surprising things that happened is I met the man from Rancho transmission that built the new transmission in my 84.  He gave me some advice for it’s care that I will follow this winter.

To join the 536 busses we flew to Salt Lake City where Tom, who has many amazing friends, borrowed a 91 Subaru powered vanagon.  It had a Metrics motor conversion with a fancy updated motor. 

        this was a 4 speed and I never got used to the power.  Getting sucked into the seat and going strongly up hill, not to mention many fewer cars passing us.  

        We traveled to the show stopping to camp at places Tom knew and they were great choices.

At the event we originally planned to check out the event line up then return for the event, but instead we got in line on Tuesday for a Thursday opening.  We were number 66 in line.  Once in line you can’t leave.  Luckily town is near and we walked in for restaurants. 

        Two spots ahead of us was a single cab split with one of tom’s tilts.  I would meet several early VW trucks all with Tom’s canopies on them.  Behind us was a young man just 40 who was driving by in his 84 Westfalia and noticed the busses.  He didn’t know about the gathering!  He joined in right there and we ended up camping together for the event.  This man had converted his van to Subaru power and had also converted several others.  He was a multi talented man.

        The ages of participants surprised me in that there were many younger people with air cooled busses.  Sure there were folks  older 50 to  upper 70s. But also many younger folks and young families. 

        This event had many more older air cooled type 1 and 2 busses then I usually see.  Vanagons were in the minority.

My guide dog Becky learned the important routes from our van to the nearest bathroom, and nearest food vender! 

        The van we borrowed had no issues and no fancy gages so I have nothing really to report other then the conversion seemed very nice.
And, as always I learned many new things.  But, the most useful was taught to me by Tom while camping.  I never knew you could lock the sliding door then slide it shut and have it be locked.  A very slick way to lock the slider and no key needed.  
I came back with many great memories, stories, and new bus friends.

Now, to order some new standard transmission gear oil for my 84!  And, once changed I’ll get back to my 84 tranny builder.

And, time to go read the posts I missed from this list.  

Did someone post some nice signal LED bulbs?  

Eric Caron