Dear list,

In a few days, my wife Katherine and I will begin several months
of "dropping out of society," as she calls it.  We've given up
work for a while to travel North America in an '86 Westy.

Although I had a couple of beetles back in the 1980's, and was
real familiar with them (and Muir's book), I'd never even ridden in
a Westy until last winter, when I looked at one and said "this is
the thing for our trip!"  To make a long story short, I picked one up
from a list member down in Austin TX, drove it back to St. Louis, and
proceeded to replace a whole bunch of stuff.  I've done quit a few mods 
that I'll post at http://www.emriver.com/ourtrip.htm when I
get time (we're moving now), including a neat solar charging system.

There is no way on earth I could have done all this work without the 
list.  I won't name everybody here, but I got so much help, including
loans of tools and time.  This is the adventure of a lifetime for Kate
and me, and it just wouldn't be the same without the list, because
we wouldn't be doing it in a Vanagon.

So, thanks, very much.  If you like, follow our trip and see my modifications
and trials and tribulations as they are posted at the web address above.

Steve Gough

P.S. I'll be off the list (and on the road)  shortly, and won't get replies
at this address.  You'll have better luck at stevegough@emriver.com

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