Ric, et al:
Your tale adds another whole new meaning to our "ultimate getaway" vehicles.
Roll back the clock to 1990:
After 17 years in a marriage of always dubious harmony, my getaway van was
an '81 straight van.  I too, spent time "camping" in state parks while
waiting for a vacancy in one of MY OWN rental apartments.  November in Ohio
in an aircooled van was far from cozy. It's a miracle I wasn't asphyxiated
by the auxiliary gasoline heater. But it was far better than the "life" with
the soon to be ex.

It must be something in our
"stubborn-stick-with-it-even-if-it-doesn't-work-perfectly" natures that lets
us keep working with these (now) old vans and on dead/dying relationships.

On a positive note, I now have a Westy or two tucked away for a much better
getaway with my amazingly, incredibly much better-for-me second wife who
loves me AND my vans.

There is life after loss.

--
Stephen Steele*
Chillicothe OH
'91 Caravelle  "Hans"
'87 Westy      "Franz"
'84 Westfalia  "Fritz"  on loan to my nephew
'81 Diesel Rabbit "Ol' Yeller" by PO
'82 Caddy VW Diesel P.U.
'90 Jetta GL  17 yo Sons' "together" car
'74 MGB  My first car...yep, I've kept it since '74
'93 Chevy S-10
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