I'm Back! (in more ways than one)

[<jt@geekopolis.com>]

Thought I would rewrite my trip report now that I am more awake. ;-)  This
is detailed a bit more.  Please read, you will find this much better than
my original post. :-)
 
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The Squareback and I made it safely to her new home in Minneapolis!  We
arrived late Sunday night/early Monday morning around 1:10am.  I ended up
sleeping most of Monday away. 

I flew down Friday morning and was in San Antonio around 2:00pm.  Met a
friend at the airport who graciously drove me around town for some last
minute errands I had to run.  She then took me to the KOA campground were
Peter Kratzke would be arriving from Laredo Texas later that night with
the Squareback. 

Peter arrives around 8:00pm in the Squareback followed by his wife and dog
in some type of Japanese SUV.  I quickly notice that it has some type of
lowered cal look thing going on but I soon realize it is because of the
half a ton of spare parts and tools in the trunk and rear cargo areas.  A
plethora of Type 3 parts and gobs of tools. 

We go over the car and all it's contents before darkness falls.  I really
liked the car but it desperatly needs new paint and new interior.  But she
is still solid enough and we finalize the deal.

Once darkness falls we seek the shelter of the cabin and spend a few hours
chatting about VW's, VW fanatics, Life, Seattle, and all kinds of cool and
groovy things.

I left the KOA shortly after 8:30am on Saturday morning after a quick
exchange of keys cermony and picture taking.  I was on I35 headed north by
8:30am.  Ended up driving the majority of the day and well into the night. 
I stopped mostly for gas and beverage service.  When I stopped for dinner,
decided to get a real meal at Applebee's, about 15 miles south of
Oaklahoma City, I had planned on finding a Motel 6 or Super 8 to catch
some sleep in for a few hours.  However, by the time dinner was done both
the Square and I gad gotten a "second wind" and we drove and drove all the
way to a place called El Dorado Kansas.  The time was around 10:30pm and I
was driving through deer country and I didn't want to take any chances
with my current state of grogginess (sp?).  We found a nice and clean
Super 8 Motel and settled in for a few hours of sleep. 
 
Total time for this leg of the trip: 14 hours - San Antonio to El Dorado
Kansas.

Awoke refreshed and ready to tackle another day of driving.  We were back
on I35 by 6:30am and the plan was to make it to Iowa before stopping for
any type of extended rest stop.  However, by 10:30am, only 4 hours into
the morning, I was feeling really tired and hot.  Humidity and heat index
were really getting to me up here in Kansas and, combined with the seats
not adjusting to my needs, had really dragged me down.  By this time we
had made it through Kansas City and into Missouri.  I35 through NE Kansas
has a lot of grade changes but the Square handled them just fine, but
slowly.  We found another nice Super 8 with a Country Kitchen close by and
decided here would be a good place to rest.

Total time for this leg of the trip: 4.25 hours - El Dorado Kansas to
Bethany Missouri.

Awoke, showered, had a smothered burger at the Hardees next door, and hit
the road.  Back on I35 by 6:30pm.  Next stop would be St. Louis Park, MN.
Land of lakes, rough highways, and best of all my bed. ;-)  This final leg
went very well and by 8:30pm the sun had set and a cool breeze welcomed us
to the upper midwest making my Squareback very comfortable and welcome.

Total time for this leg of the trip: 6.35 hours - Bethany Missouri to St.
Louis Park, MN (home).

Ya know, I almost think the SqBk knew we were headed back to the upper
midwest and loved the idea.  She always seemed to be leading the way as
eager to get here as I.

We did not have a single mechanical failure and only used 1 quart of oil. 
I also only spent $48.00 in gas and $5.50 in tolls.  I was very impressed
with gas mileage.  We cruised along between 50 and 60 mph the entire way. 
She rode remarkably well and almost seemed to glide along the highway. 
She is a tough ole gal and I just love her.  Spending all this time in her
and seeing how well she drove only added to my enthusiasm to make her into
the ultimate road trip vessel.

* Trip Notes *

* The seats were very uncomfortable.  When I redo the interior I am going
to put the original seats in stoarge and install some aftermarket seats
from Scat.  I am also going to remove the rear seat bottom and put that in
storage as well.  Plan is to keep the rear folded down at all times. 
Removing the bottom will allow me to slide the drives seat back the few
inches more I need,

* The carbs need serious adjusting.  At idle she runs very rough but once
you get past 20 mph she smooths out and runs very nicely.  She is almost
dialed in but not quite right.

* I think I will name her Maggie.  The name just came to me while we were
driving one night and it seems appropriate.

* Only spotted one other air-cooled VW on the road back.  It was a simple,
stock, Type 181 but was being towed by a water pushing/gas sucking/money
screaming RV.  I expected to see a lot more VW's than this.  Kind of
depressing.

She is a nice little car and will clean up nicely.  I am going to do as
much work on her as I can this winter and get her ready for some serious
road trips beginning next spring.  My original plan was to clean her up
and drop in a 2.0L engine with large induction and the works.  But, after
seeing how well she handles the road, I think I will instead build a nice
little balanced 1641 with full flow and make her strong and reliable
enough to be able to head to either coast on a moments notice.  Serious
road trip vessel!  Reliability and dependability above all else!

I will be setting up a web page to show her off in the very near future. 
I will also try and get some pictures developed soon and send them your
way soon. 

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  \/   John T. Croteau {jt@geekopolis.com} {Minneapolis, MN}
 \/\/  Maggie, an Orange 1971 VW Squareback