Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas to all....
Peace & Love

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are thankful for so much; mainly we feel fortunate to have such wonderful families, friends and neighbors.
Love to you all,
Deb & Dave
(& Westy!)

Another little jaunt...

Boys in the back of the bus

I took Mom & Dad for their first ride in the Westy this afternoon (Chris is an old pro by now). We had a lovely little walk in Mendon Ponds Park where there were many ducks & geese - and a turkey in the woods gobbling away! (it must have heard our conversation about the Thanksgiving menu…)

Mom 'n Pop

...aren't they cute?!

I’ve had the Westy over to the park so many times now I think the deer are starting to recognize it!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go find some old family photos from 1977; I have a feeling I may have been wearing the same outfit…minus the brewery logo on the t-shirt of course.

From the VW newsbeat...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-stolen-bus6-2009nov06,0,5595923.story

Geeze - I hope ours isn't hot!

Getting ready to hibernate...

Sunday was a beautiful day so we took the Westy to Akron for a family gathering.

Once again, it was met with great curiosity and enthusiasm. And of course with this crowd, lots of wise-cracks! Unfortunately there wasn’t enough daylight to get a family portrait – I guess that will have to wait until next summer.

While I was washing it today this passed by; honestly, you can’t make this stuff up...

 
...the most interesting things go by our house!

Weekend in a Nutshell

Halloween

Trees with leaves left on them are few and far between now, we had to search a bit for a foliage photo-op...

A walk in the park...

where the squirrels are bold and plump...

and hand feeding the birds is always a treat...

chickadee

nuthatch

Leaf Peepers

This post has nothing to do with the Westy, it was home in the garage.

Chris & I went to Durand Eastman Park today for a little hike and these are just too beautiful not to share.

Westy Meets a Cousin

Herbie

Dave’s cousin Mike has a VW now too – it’s great!

Probably kind of tight to sleep in though…

Westdidn'tfalia

I just love that! My ever-so-witty cousin Jeffrey came up with the expression.

Westfalia in New Mexico

And it’s true. Ok, there was that one questionable evening in West Virginia…but all was better in the light of day after the wiggling of a connection.

Hopefully, Westy will get out this week before being cooped up for its first long, cold, dreary NY winter.

We’ll keep you posted!

Westy Meets (one half of) the Family

...and unwittingly stumbles into a kazoo fest!

a fraction of the family

We were in Marcellus Saturday for Aunt Shirley’s memorial service. In response to popular demand, Dave, Chris & I went in style…Westy-style that is.

It was a beautiful, sunny day; a perfect day to honor a warm, caring, lady who loved life and touched everyone she met.

We remembered many family members who remain in our hearts.

As always, it was wonderful to see everyone and time together was too short. I think Shirley & Don were there with us, having fun too. And the kazoos were a great surprise!

Something to strive for…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC65ufGUvKM
(a YouTube kazoo video)

Hopefully, we’ll see you all – and more – in 2010!

Joey

Love,
Deb

PS: Penny, I finally got it! Now I can kazoo too!!

Now I'm Driving the Bus!

After pestering the heck out of Dave, I finally got to take the Westy for a drive Saturday morning.

First gear is a bit tricky, Dave did all the driving for the entire trip.

practicing 1st gear

As Dr. Seuss said, “Oh! The places we’ll go.”

The Parthenon

Not the Parthenon, this one is in Nashville, TN.
Nevertheless, it is very cool.

Westy at the Parthenon

Nashville’s Parthenon was originally constructed in 1897 as a full-scale replica for the Tennessee Centennial Celebration. By 1920 it was beginning to fall apart so the city decided to rebuild - this time it was to be a complete replica, inside and out, using permanent materials.

Deb on the steps for perspective...can you even see me?

Inside is a small art museum on the main floor plus displays about the construction of the building. The second floor holds more work pertaining to the construction of the Nashville Parthenon plus a 42-foot-10-inch gilded statue of Athena. The statue of Nike in her outstretched hand is 6 feet 4 inches tall!

Athena

If you ever find yourself in Nashville, I highly recommend a visit.

On the Rat

In Arkansas, we were searching for a grocery store before going to Petit Jean SP for the night. We finally stopped at a gas station to ask where one was located. The young girl working there told us there was one over the bridge “on the rat.” My mind started racing, “Rat? What’s a rat?...” It took me a minute to realize that the “rat” was not a place or even a localism for a geological formation along the river but was, in fact, the right!
(ooohhhh…right, right, right)

Which led us to…

The Guy in the Grocery Store

Dave was looking for beer while we were in the grocery store (on the rat) but didn’t see any. When a friendly employee asked if we needed help finding anything Dave asked him if grocery stores in Arkansas were allowed to sell beer. Solemnly shaking his head no, the guy informed us that we were in a dry county. We explained that we were headed up to Petit Jean to camp for the night and he replied, nodding his head in complete understanding, “Oh, yer goin campin at Petty Jean and you need some alcohol.” He then proceeded to put his hand on Dave’s shoulder in brotherly sympathy and camaraderie and listed counties where we could purchase beer. He tried desperately to come up with a solution to help us out. Dave attempted to reassure him that he wasn’t panicked, he did have a couple beers in the Westy, everything would be ok.

You meet the funniest people when you get off the highway :)

An overlook from Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas

somewhere down there is a very helpful grocery store employee

For my Harley-loving friends & family

There was a motorcycle rally in Ruidoso, NM the weekend that we arrived. There were bikes everywhere, it was impressive (unlike the photo below - you'll just have to trust me). Steve told us that they get 35,000 people in town for the weekend (which sounded high, maybe he got an extra zero in there by accident?).

Edited to add: Dave found an article regarding the rally, 35,000 is correct; and I forget to mention that they hold it twice a year!

http://www.motorcyclerally.com/

…no helmet law in NM…

Westies at Watkins

Somewhere around Olean yesterday we spotted another Westy on the road; the first one we have seen the entire trip.

another bus!

We beeped and waved to each other, he got behind us and followed us for about 50 miles until we stopped at a rest area. He pulled in behind us and we all got out to say hello. He asked us if we were headed to Watkins Glen, we said no and asked why. There is a gathering/camp out for Westies at Watkins Glen this weekend and on Sunday they all get to drive around the race track! That one’s going on the calendar for next year.  :)

westies-at-watkins.org

What a long, strange trip it's been...

...and now there's a Westy on Pinnacle Road!

It's been fun, and we still like each other!

We’re home. The Auburn welcome wagon greeted us and made Westy feel welcome to it’s new neighborhood - thank you!

We had smooth sailing all day after our minor little hiccup last night.

Signs like this freak me out.

We saw 2,363 miles of this country and it was all amazing.

too cute

I wanted to sleep in the Westy tonight but Dave wouldn’t go for it..it’s cold here! We want to go back to New Mexico.

I have many more stories to tell, I’ll post a few more out here over the weekend in case any one is interested. Thank you for keeping us company on our journey, we truly appreciate it.

Love & Peace to all.

I suppose it was inevitable...

We had a minor glitch last night; the Westy called it quits after 495 miles, smack in the middle of West Virginia. Fortunately, it was after we had found a motel room for the night. Dave went out to move to another parking spot and Westy would not start. Period. Dave did a bunch of research on-line while I searched for someplace that would be able to fix a 1985 VW in the hills of WV.

In the daylight this morning Dave was able to work on the problem. He wiggled some wires on the starter solenoid and viola! It started! He looked at me and asked, “Do I dare shut it off?” It started right up on 2nd try also so we ran into our room, grabbed our stuff, threw it in the Westy and headed out!

We have so many stories to tell…we have seen and experienced some really funny stuff this week. Has it only been a week?

It blows my mind that I am able to post this from the passenger seat while traveling I-79 approaching Pittsburg, PA…

1,260 miles down, another 1,000 to go!

I spotted these two while zooming along I-40 today – it was hilarious – we had to backtrack to get a photo. There are two goats hanging out on top of this rusty old bug, next to another rusty old bug!

Goats on a Bug

We’re in Nashville tonight, explored downtown & “The District” a bit on foot. Live music & people of all kinds every where. Very cool.

Heading north tomorrow through Kentucky into W. Virginia (taking the scenic route).

'til next time...

Greetings from Arkansas

Westy got wet! We headed out in the pouring rain this morning; kind of glad we didn’t camp last night after all.

Oklahoma City

Drove I-40 through Oklahoma into Arkansas; it was rainy most of the time. As we crossed over into Arkansas, we saw several signs for wineries in Altus, AR. We decided that we really should stop and check out Arkansas wines, being from the Finger Lakes Region. It was a very pretty, hilly area with narrow winding roads. The people were friendly and the wines were pretty good (yes, we bought a couple bottles to bring home!). A fun diversion.

Happy Camper

We are camped tonight at Petit Jean State Park – pronounced by the colorful locals as “Petty” Jean (sorry Bean, that’s how they pronounce it around here). It is on the edge of the Ozarks. Dave & I have the only site in our loop, peaceful & quiet. And, shockingly, we are able to access the internet!

'Til next time...

Catching up...

I wasn’t able to post an update last night due to our location so tonight’s post will cover two long, eventful, somewhat strange days.


Sunday, September 20:

Takin' the bus to get our bus

 
We boarded the bus about 7am; of the 15 passengers, Dave & I were the only non-Mexicans. Border Patrol guards borded the bus and checked everyone’s ID to make sure all were legal. Our route took us from El Paso, TX thru Las Cruces, NM, past the White Sands Missile Range and then past the White Sands National Monument where all traffic must go through a Border Patrol checkpoint. Our bus stopped and was boarded again by agents (which is standard procedure). The agents checked everyone’s ID again and searched every possible hiding spot on and under the bus then boarded again and instructed us all to get off the bus, leave all of our belongings on the bus, and line up outside (we got the impression that this is not part of the aforementioned standard procedure). Two agents and a K-9 searched the bus again while two more agents kept an eye on our group standing outside. Finally we were all thanked for our time and allowed to continue on our way, the bus driver checked his pocket watch and muttered as were re-boarding the bus, “Now we’re late.” He was not happy.
 
On the bright side, it was a lovely sunny day and we were directly across the road from White Sands National Monument.

Doesn’t look like much from the road, we have been there before, it is a very cool (well, hot actually) place to see.

Finally our bus journey ended in Ruidoso, NM where we met Steve, Tina and Westy! Tina generously loaded us up with lots of supplies that we hadn’t been able to bring with us: a second blanket (very much appreciated last night!), pillows, dishes, cups, utensils, hand towels, etc. After a 2-hour crash course with Steve & Tina, Dave & I headed off on our own.

Hellooo Westy

We camped outside of Roswell, NM at Bottomless Lakes State Park (which could honestly be renamed Stinky Lakes SP). The night sky was loaded with stars – we could even see the Milky Way! Fantastic!

Monday, September 21:

Today was a long, 433 mile, windy drive; hundreds of miles of high desert with almost nothing to look at as far as the eye can see.

Long highway

From Roswell, we headed through Clovis, NM into Texas, past cattle ranches with literally 10’s of thousands of cattle; numerous grain mills; and lots of trains.

For you Dad :)

Drove through Amarillo, TX and on into Oklahoma. We are in Weatherford, OK for the night. We had hoped to camp at Red Rock Canyon State Park but it was getting late and we were running out of daylight so we are in a hotel and Westy has to sleep alone tonight.

We’ll try to stop at the Red Rock Canyon SP in the morning to at least see the place. That is the one draw-back to this trip, we are on a tight schedule and really aren’t able to spend any time seeing things except what can be seen from the highway at about 65 mph, hence the blurry photos.

Until the next time I am able to post...

It's been a great day!

Bloody Marys before takeoff

By the way, we flew first class between Chicago & El Paso...oh my, what fun! With cocktails and food (good food. seriously.) coming at us for nearly the entire flight, it was the first time that I have ever wished a flight could last longer! May I recommend a wonderful Spanish red wine: Taja 2006 Monastrell - it's fantastic when cruising at 36,000 feet! All went well traveling today, obviously.

Hmm…I wonder if first-class service is available in the Westy!

The view from our hotel parking lot ~ El Paso, TX

A mid-day swim added to the relaxing atmosphere of the entire day.

A special thank you to the Littleville Cab Company for their excellent door-to-door service – you’re the best!


We lost one of our favorite Aunties today. I think she would have enjoyed this adventure…to you Aunt Shirley, much love always.

Peace & Love

You can find anything on Ebay...

Dave and I were recently surprised shocked stunned to learn that we were the high bidders on a 1985 Volkswagen Bus Westfalia Camper, more affectionately referred to in some circles as a “Westy.” Our new-to-us Westy is in New Mexico! After a bit of scrambling, we have our itinerary in order. On Saturday we will fly to El Paso, TX. Then Sunday morning we'll take a Greyhound bus to Ruidoso, NM where we will meet the vehicle’s owners and complete the transaction. And then we will hop in and drive approx. 2,000 miles across the country to get back home! Those are the plans anyway. Should be a real adventure…stay tuned!

Hi