Monday, March 28, 2011

VW Adventures: 1971 VW camper bus

Who doesn't love VW buses!! I had always wanted a bus, ever since I can remember. I am not sure why but I loved them. I bought my bus in April 2010. She is a 1971 VW camper bus. Her name is Lilly. I thought that sounded like a happy name and for the most part she is a happy bus. She has a pop top so you can stand up inside her and store all of your gear up there while you are camping. She has a peace sign necklace hanging from the rear view mirror. I made funky ugly curtains for her, yellow flowers. She is outfitted with a sink, water tank and refrigerator. She also possesses several tables and nooks. There is a little closet and a very comfortable fold out bed inside. Bucket seats, covered in Hawaiian seat covers, a bumping stereo and shag carpeting. Oh yeah! I have everything that I need to camp at the drop of a hat, propane burner, tarps, flashlights, the works.

Of course, as with all VW's, it is mandatory to carry various and sundry spare parts should something break or otherwise malfunction. Oil and tools are also onboard. VW's are notorious for using oil.

Bumper stickers, yes that is also a requirement for buses. Her paint job is hideous. I painted some spots on her. She is red so she looks like a ladybug. Oh and then there are her eyelashes arranged around her front head lights. I have a compartment just for snacks so in case I should go careening over an embankment and don't die of my injuries I can survive for a month. Her heater does not work so well. It goes at the speed of breath so it barely keeps the windshield clear.

I talk to her in the morning when I drive her to work. She has an energy about her. She goes about the speed of smell so she is teaching me great patience and caring. Don't push her too hard or she makes funny noises, kind of like me. I do believe that I will learn to slow down and enjoy life a bit more while driving her. I will take her on my photography, sketching and other road trips. I pull over in the slow lane or slow moving turnouts so as not to become a recipient of road rage, a definite possibility. She accelerates from 0-60 in 30 minutes or so. I got the stereo so that when she makes those funny used car noises I can turn up it up so as not to hear what's going wrong.

That is Lilly. She is the vehicle of my adventures. We have many more journeys ahead…………….

About the Author

These are the adventures of Lilly, my VW bus, my traveling dog Tootie and me.

No comments:

Post a Comment