Date:         Fri, 28 Jun 1996 09:31:44 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         jim@atcweb.atc.1dc.com (Jim Ellis)
Subject:      MattyJ update

Got a call two-three weeks ago from "MattyJ." He and his (very cute, way to
go J!) Nicole Kidmanish companion Suz were in Phoenix. Message on the
machine sounded like he was negotiating a private meeting with the Pope or
something. "It would be an *honor* to meet you Mr. VanBondo..." Cherry just
laughed at that one! =) Initially couldn't hook up for a visit. J&Co. were
to explore GrandCanyon/North Rim and Bryce Wilderness etc. for five days.
Upon his/their return we got together for a couple of hours as we were
literally packing our '83 westy to bail for NewMexico for last weekend. The
said that thought there was a VW club meeting at the "Rusty Ranch" when
driving up. Shoot, they should have seen the other house when we had buses
around. Showed them the Resto from H. They insisted on photographing
Mrs.VanBondo and I standing in front of it (the bus) with promises of a web
sight of their expedition to be plunked together in the future.

Impression:
Very happy, positive, courteous, tidy, intelligent, and young folks who seem
to be enjoying themselves/each other very handily. Had great things to say
about the listees of whom they had already met. When asked if we actually
looked different than the "VanBondos" in their mind's eye. They replied with
the affirmative but they had grown used to it by that part of the Hobbit
adventure. For folks touring about in the early '70-ish westy with duct tape
and cargo straps holding the top down since February they were very
comfortable around each other and us. Sometimes, Cherry VanBondo and I get
ragged around the edges just going to the Circle K or 7-11 and back! =) I
recommend meeting up with these folks of you get a chance.

At last account they were headed through Tucson and southern NM slowly to
gravitate toward Taos and Colorado. I suspect that the desert heat might
intensify the gravitational pull to the cooler weather. 
Cheers!
-ellis\