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I'm glad you and your new babe made it in one piece....enjoy it!!!
jt@geekopolis.com wrote:
> *staggering through the door*
>
> It is 1:10am (give or take a few hours depending upon what time I finish
> this) on Monday morning and I just got back from my second longest
> road trip.
>
> I flew down to San Antonio on Friday to meet Peter Kratzke and purchase
> his 1971 Orange Squareback. I arrive at the KOA around 5pm and get
> settled in. Peter arrives 3 hours later with his wife, dog, and my
> Squareback. The square has this Cal Look to it but I quickly realize it
> is because of all the spare parts in the trunk (complete engine tin and
> cooling system and gobs of other stuff) and all the included tools in the
> back.
>
> We go over the car and all it's contents before it gets too dark and we
> make the deal official.
>
> Darkness falls and we seek shelter in our cabin. We all chat for a few
> hours about VW's, VW fanatics (yes, you are one), life, Seattle and then
> fall asleep.
>
> We awoke the next morning, showered, took pictures, and said our goodbyes.
> I was on the road and headed back to Minneapolis by 8:30am Saturday
> morning.
>
> This was the longest, most tiring, leg of my journey. I had originally
> planned to stop and rest before Oaklahoma City but I got a second wind and
> kept on driving. Kept on driving for 14 hours straight since leaving San
> Antonio to a small town called El Dorado Kansas. Here, I slept for about
> 6 hours in a very clean and nice Super 8 Motel. By 6:30am Sunday I am
> back on the road. I had wanted to do the rest of this non stop but by the
> time 11:30 rolled around the heat and humidty were killing me and I found
> myself yawning too much to ignore. I saw the friendly sign of a Super 8
> Motel as I approahced Bethany Missouri and decided it would be nice to
> sleep for a few hours in air conditioned comfort. The SqBk needed the
> rest too. I wake 7 hours later and hit the road again, next stop
> Minneapolis.
>
> The entire trip was so damn uneventful! I only saw one other aircooled as
> well too, a late model type 181 being pulled by an water pumping,
> "I'm rich" screaming RV. Surprisingly, the SqBk's mileage the entire
> trip averged 29 mpg. I was very pleased with this.
>
> The SqBk handled the trip beautifully although I did not feel safe doing
> the speed limit, which is now 70 in most states. She was loaded down too
> heavily to do much more than 55 or 60 on flat ground. I didn't mind
> though.
>
> I just love how well the SqBk drives. Never have I had such a smooter
> ride in an aircooled VW.
>
> She isn't the most beautiful to look at and needs paint and new interior
> but I love her and she has many more miles left in her for us to enjoy.
>
> One of the first things I need to do is change out the front seats with
> some Scat ProCars or something. The stock seats are very uncomfortable
> for my 6'2" frame and the headrest does not reach.
>
> It is good to be home with my new Squareback. :-) I need to go get some
> more sleep I think.
>
> ---
> John T. Croteau {jt@geekopolis.com}
> Founder, geekopolis.com - Minneapolis, MN - http://www.geekopolis.com