Ok, maybe not many world tours but major journeys for sure. We have
heard on the list of a few from the US and Canada who are winding their
way around on extended trips. I have come across a few from other
distant lands who have made it to California as part of some larger
quest. On and off for the last couple weeks I have been helping a couple
from Argentina who drove down around Tierra Del Fuego and then up the
West coast of South America, Central America, Mexico, and now the US.
They are headed for Alaska. They have a 1989 Westfalia with the side
table and no kitchen. What many here call a weekender.

They have been on the road for TWO YEARS!!!! Their van has had various
things "fixed" along the way, with whatever a local "mechanic" could
come up with to get them rolling again. Things finally came to a head in
a major way just as they were passing through my neck of the woods. I
won't go into all the gory details but I will say that I am amazed how
far they made it with minimal knowledge of mechanical things in general
and Vanagons in specific. They know a bit more now.

Their example points out quite clearly something I have noticed before.
People from the USA/CA seem to largely think their vehicle needs all
kinds of extra gadgets and doodads to make a trip of any consequence.
People from other places seem more content to set off with only the most
basic of equipment and just wing it from there. Somehow they manage just
fine.

Mark