Dating advice

I took the Westfalia out last night.  Not for a long drive just to Adventures in Scuba and back.  I think that this is the first time I have actually mentioned a business by name.  Anyway I was finishing off my Instructor Development Course so I can become first, an Assistant Instructor then an Open Water Instructor.  I have to say that I love using the Westy for heading out to the lake with my scuba gear.  It’s like a change room on wheels.

I also have to relate this story about online dating.  A friend of mine has recently decided to give online dating a try.  Now she’s asked me a couple of questions about the process, like I’d know, so I gave her me two cents worth anyway.  I told her that dating is like shopping for shoes…

“You’ll know too within the first couple of minutes if you are into him or not.  If things don’t click don’t worry about it, but make sure you tell him either via email or text that you don’t think it’s going to work.  There’s a certain amount of rejection built into the online dating system… think of it as going shoe shopping.  You see a pair you like, think they are kinda cute so you try them on.  If they don’t fit, you take them off and move on.  If they kinda fit you may wear them for a little bit but in the end you are going to get blisters on your feet and you are going to end up hurting.  Sometimes though you’ll put on a pair of shoes that fits perfectly… that’s the one. That’s when it clicks.  You have to remember that they are doing the same thing too….” 

I thought it was a great nugget of advice.  Anyhow, if you have any dating advice let me know and I’ll be sure to pass it on to her. 

With the Canada Day long weekend coming up, sadly there won’t be any camping in the Westy.  It’ll be a hang around town type of weekend I think… maybe I’ll bugger off once the Stampede rolls into town.

Not much happened this weekend in terms of the VW.  Basically because I didn’t drive it. On Saturday I took it down to my IDC (Instructor Development Course) for my scuba diving.   I have been working my ass off this week trying to get all of the assignments done which sadly isn’t leaving me with a lot of free time for playing with the Westfalia. 

I still have to get the oil changed.  Not that the oil is THAT bad but I’d like to get it done.  You know that whole fresh start thing. 

I am keeping it short and sweet today, sorry folks.  I have to finish two assignments for my IDC as well as work today.  As you can understand I have a full plate. 

On positive note before I leave for the day we hit just over 200 page views sometime last week.  Thank-you.  It lets me know that someone is reading it and some of you are actually coming back for more. 

Any questions or comments, fire them in.  I’d love to see em.

I have seen the ultimate food and it is BACON

I'll admit that this has nothing to do with my Westys or VW's in anyway but I have to share it.  We just had doughnuts brought in and they were amazing.  They are from a place in Calgary called Jelly.  Zoinks the Maple Bacon doughnut was heavenly... yes I said bacon and doughnut in the same scentence. 

If you are in Calgary you HAVE to give them a try.  AMAZING!!!

http://www.jellymoderndoughnuts.com/

We'll back to work... I'd be interested to hear your thought if you do try them!

Ta-da! It’s Safety Guy!!

I love taking the VW out.  Last night I headed down to the Bull and Finch in the SW to enjoy some sunshine, beer and wings on the patio.  I managed to get a primo parking spot and it was kind of funny actually because people were looking at the Westy and interested in it.  It’s almost like it’s a relic from the past.   Lol

Anyway, had an enjoyable night but I don’t know that I am going to go back to that pub anytime soon.  The service wasn’t great and the wings were kind of tasteless actually. I can live with mediocre service on its own, but mediocre service with crappy wings…now you’ve crossed a line!

Oh, one last thing… there was a group at a table next to me who were all clearly drunk.  I don’t mean fall down drunk but impaired none the less.  So as the night winds down this group disperses and one of the ladies whips out her car keys and staggers her way over to her Chevy Cavalier.  Really?  Seriously?  My friends call me “Safety guy” sometimes, not a sexy nickname, but I can’t stand it when people get injured because they failed to look and take account of what’s going on around them.  For some strange reason, I feel the need to say something to this woman who is sitting behind the wheel of her car after drinking for several hours…  Obviously this is not something I do all the time.  I come up to the driver side window.  Tap,tap tap.  I look into her glazed over eyes and ask her, “Are you sure you should be driving?”.  I do this in the least accusing was possible.  I did think about saying, “Look lady, your efff-ing hammered there’s no way you should be behind the wheel of a car”, but I didn’t. 

She assures me that she’s okay and that she’s not that drunk as she shifts the car into reverse and pulls away.  I’m no expert, but if I was a cop I would have totally given this woman a sobriety test.    I hope she made it home safely but stupid people however, have a way of taking themselves out of the gene pool. 

Reminds me of the lady I saw cycling out by Elbow Falls on the weekend who wiped out and was poorly equipped for riding in the mountains…all I can say is I am glad I had my first aid kit and water with me.  It came in handy but that’s a story for another time. 

The tally so far....

I might be jinxing myself by saying this but so far this week there have been no repairs to the Westy that have cost me money.  A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a fuel leak.  I noticed it  when I got home from Canmore one day.  There was the smell of gasoline and a small puddle under the rear driver side wheel.  :(  I could see where it was leaking from and I have some spare fuel line but didn't have clue #1 as to how to fix it. 

So off to the shop I went.... $125 and change later and it's fixed. 

So far....
$125 leaking fuel line
$308 clutch/shifter repair

This doesn't include the door handles ($20) and my labour (couple of hours) so far.  There is also an oil change on the horizon which I have the filter and some 20-50 oil already purchased. 

I really hope this doesn't turn into a  money pit because it is a lot of fun to drive and camp in.  Besides my friends kids love it.  they think it's the coolest thing ever. 

A couple of upcoming planned trips for me...
I am going to go camping with my girlfriend and her kids to Drumheller, Alberta sometime in July.
Also going to go to Winnipeg in September for a family thing.  I am debating on this one.  I have no problem running a couple of hours out of town in the old V-dub but we are talking about a 1300 km journey of epic proportions.  Usually I drive this in about 11 or 12 hours but this would be significantly longer.  Maybe I’ll take a run to Kelowna or something first… it’s only 6 hours drive.

One interesting phenomenon that I noticed while driving the bus, other than people waving and giving you the thumbs up… despite the time constraints, I find I am never in a hurry and you can’t help but smile while driving it.  Strange I know…  

If you have any driving stories, I’d love to hear them, just post them in the comments section.

1 Picture... more to come

Behold! It's alive..ALIVE!!!!!

Okay, okay so it's not much but it gives you an idea of the overall condition.  Nice wheels, but I think I might go back to the stock rims.  Call me nostalgic. 

Oh, and there is a really strange, for lack of a better word, thingy in the engine compartment.  I'll post pictures and any suggestions on how or what I should do with it would be appreciated.

Frankenwagon, me no like fire.

Let me start by saying that I didn’t set my Westy on fire, nor has there been a fire (but I did pick up the How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive book this weekend).  I did get some from a dead VW and transplanted them into mine... It's alive! ALIVE!!!

Ever since I got the Westfalia I have been having trouble with the locks and the handles.  The locks either didn’t work at all or were extremely finicky.  The latch / lock on the back hatch didn’t work at all.  Now in looking at it I could have just adjusted the latch so that it opens easily but for some reason it wasn’t keyed the same as the other locks.  I put an ad out on The Samba looking for a set of handles (with a matching lock set).  Lucky for me there was a guy (Westy Nut) locally who was parting out a late 70’s bus and had the parts I needed.   

So after I got home from my camping adventure I parked the bus in the driveway pulled out my tools and took a look at what I was about to attempt.  How hard could it be? Right?  It only looks like a couple of screws, maybe an alan-key and I’m done. 

There is a line of thinking that says that you should start with the simple task first, complete it successfully and build confidence in yourself for the more challenging tasks ahead.  So with this mindset, I popped open the back and started pulling it apart.  After about 30 minutes of pulling the lock and latch apart and re-assembling it with the new part I am happy to report that the transplant was a success.

With new found confidence I proceeded to tackle the passenger side door.  I removed the inside panel and took a look.  Fairly simple or so I thought.  I pulled out the handle and lock set, placed the new one in and tightened things up.  I then put the panel back on THEN tested the lock with the key… guess what happened.  IT DIDN’T WORK.   So I pulled the panel off again, took the a look at how the lock mechanism works and realized my mistake.  I had somehow flipped the lock flange around.  I pulled it out, corrected my error and an hour and change later had a working handle and new locks. 

I managed to get the sliding door done without incident and proceeded to the driver side  door with the knowledge of my previous mistakes on the passenger side.  I got everything installed without a problem but for some reason the lock is still VERY stiff.  It’s not the handle and lock set but I think it’s an issue with the lock mechanism.   I’ll research it a bit this weekend and see if there is anything that can be done with it. 

With my girlfriend pulling into the drive way and dinner with friends in about 45 minutes I figured I'd get cleaned up and put the Westy away for the night.


Oh, I forgot to mention that I did take some pictures and I will post them as time allows in the next day or two.

Camping in the rain and learning how to start a fire

I had booked a site at Little Elbow Campground for this past weekend and was ready for adventure! Despite being hospitalized last Wednesday I  was determined to head out, set up the Westfalia and rough it for the weekend.  I did make the smart decision to not go scuba diving though.  I figured if I ran into issues they would be easier to deal with if I was above the water and not wearing 100lbs of scuba gear.

I arrived at the campsite shortly after 7:00pm unpacked the bag of fire wood, set up a couple of chairs and popped the top.  Remember I said in one of my earlier blogs that I hadn’t been camping since I was about 8 years old…  This was clearly evident this weekend. 

Problem # 1 the fire.  I had ample supply of newspaper and kindling but for some reason I couldn’t get that roaring fire that would project heat and light.  As a result I ended up sitting very close to the fire pit and struggled to keep my eyes from tearing as no matter where I sat the smoke seemed to follow me.  I felt and smelled like a turkey that had spent the weekend in a smoker.  Oh, and I learned too that to cook over an open fire you should wait for the coals and not over the flame (and smoke).  The chicken didn’t turn out that badly, but the veggies that were cooked…yikes.  They tasted like they had been pulled from a burning building.  Not good.  I guess that’s why we have camp stoves and bbqs right?

Lesson #1  Campfires are for heat, light and hanging around NOT for cooking on.   Oh, and that jerry can of gas that I keep in the Westy (just in case), comes in handy for starting fires.

Problem #2 it gets cold at night.  Now you would think that a sleeping bag rated to zero degrees being used indoors would be sufficient.  Not so.  Damn it gets cold in the mountains.  I think I must have woken up about a dozen times as a struggled to stay in my little bag and stay warm .

Lesson #2, When it comes to warmth while sleeping in a Westy at night you have options.  Bring some extra blankets to stay warm with or bring a friend that you can cuddle with (sadly, my girlfriend was out in Canmore that night and I didn’t have those extra blankets)

So I put it to you my faithful readers (if there are any), is there a checklist that you use when going camping?  A list of essentials?  Help a Noob with your camping supply list!

Off to the Campground!

Abdominal pains be damned!!  It's 2:20 on Friday afternoon and I am working up my list of stuff that I am going to need for camping this weekend.  In casy you are wondering I am off to Forget Me Not Pond, just SW of Bragg Creek, AB.  No let me confess, I haven't really been camping since I was about 8. I'm 40 now. You do the math. 

Understand that I am one of those people that will either be vastly over prepared or vastly underprepared.  I am really hoping that this time I hit the sweet spot.  I have a jerry can of gas for the Westfalia, jsut in case.  Some extra engine oil, spare tire, some basic tools and a tire pump.  Now I have to figure out food, beer, wine, snacks etc. to keep me going in the bush for a couple of days.

At this point I am sure that I will of course forget some critical piece of equipment but I'll have to improvise at this point.  There will be no blogging, surfing the internet or even texting this weekend.  I am cut off from civilization.  Just me and my Westy.

If you have any tips for camping in your Westfalia PLEASE pass them along. I'm a noob at this.

A Hospital visit, scuba and camping

Okay, officially the part that needed replacing was the "Shifter coupler".  2.5 hours of labour...grrr.  I am going to have to start doing some of this stuff myself before this Westfalia becomes a money pit.  I haven't picked it up from the shop yet but it should shift like new.  Whatever that's worth. 

I was planning to pick it up this morning but due to an unplanned visit to the hosptal at 3:00 am, that's not going to happen.  Apparently Im not going to be scuba diving this weekend either.  The good news is though that I am back at home and on the mend. 

I still want to go camping to Little Elbow... that's going to be a game time decision I think.  I really want to get the Westy on the road. 

$12 part... $250 labour

Well my tranny problem is fixed.  It wasn't the transmission, it wasn't the clutch, it was some $12 part down by the clutch lever assembly that needed replacing.   Well the Westy is ready to go camping this weekend.  All I have to do is make sure I am.  Long story but I am not sure I am going to make it this weekend, not because I don't want to but there is a possibility I may be in the hospital.  Brutal.

Well I am taking care of myself and followin the doc's orders of dreaking clear liquids for the next 24 so we'll see what happens.  Oh, and for the record, beer doesn't count as a clear liquid. 

I just finished watching the Bruins win the Stanley cup.  YAY!  I even managed to win a couple of bets on it too.  People, you have to believe me when I tell you "Boston in 7".

Hopefully I am well enough to pick up the Green Monster tomorrow and go camping.  I'll keep all my faithful readers posted as I am sure you will want to know. If I don't go camping I am going to want some Muhamura from Aida's on 4th Street as a small but tasty consolation. 


 Is anyone actually reading this?

No joy for Westy

End of the day, almost, and no news on the transmission.  I called the boys over at the shop and they are going to get it in before the end of their day today.  So no updates on what's wrong with it until tomorrow.  Bummer.  I guess I have to go back to the other car which , I'll admit, has more power but is nowhere near as fun to drive. 

Here's hoping it's nothing too serious and I'll have my Westy back tomorrow. 

So you know your a VW bus driver if little kids coming running up like you are the ice cream man. The bad part is they can usually catch you...

Wishing and hoping...

Well no news is not good news it appears for the VW.  I still haven't heard anything from the shop with respect to my tranny problem.  At this point I just hope it doesn't cost me too much money and it can be fixed in time for my camping weekend.  Sigh. 

I was actually thinking I mught take it out to Canmore tonight too but that isn't in the cards.  Well on the brightside at least I'll be able to go 110kph + going up Scott Lake Hill. 

Oh, I met with a Westy nut last night too do pick up some parts from him.  He was stripping out an old Bay and had some door handles and key sets for me.  I guess the previous owner of mine either didn't like locking it or couldn't be bothered.  I'll try and get them installed this week. I'll take pictures too since this will be my first / virginal (is that a word?) attempt at fixing anything on the bus.  

I'll also try an post some pictures of the inside, if anyone is actually reading this. I think once I get the door handles sorted out I might look into the water resevoir and pump for the sink. 

Tranny problems (and I don't mean Transvestites)

Bear with me I am going to jump around a bit on this but I dropped the Monster off at the shop earlier this week to nail down a fuel leak.  It wasn't anything major and I PROBABLY could have done it myself but given my current level of expertise and the flammability of gasoline, I thought I would leave this one to the professionals.  Happily after the fuel leak was repaired I drove around town in the beast.  Yesterday however some weird shit started happening.  I could shift into 1^st and 2^nd gear no problem, 4^th was ok but 3^rd gear was a struggle.  So after watching the Canucks / Bruins game @ Donnegals I drove home, slowly and mostly in 2^nd gear.  Go Bruins... Boston in 7!

I got home and did a little research and it sounds like it might be a simple clutch adjustment (here’s hoping) and it’s not too expensive.  I got up a little early this morning and dropped it off at the shop, again.  They open at 9:00 and I don’t have an appointment so I am hoping that they can take a look at it and get me sorted out.  I really want this fixed before Friday because I am supposed to be heading out to Little Elbow Campground for a weekend of camping and diving in Forget Me Not Pond.    Well I won’t be camping at Forget Me Not… you know what I mean.  Speaking of scuba diving that is one of the other reasons why I bought the Westy.  I wanted something cool that could handle my scuba gear and that I could camp in. 

Out here in Calgary one of the popular dive sites for training is Lake Minnewanka.  It’s about an hour and change from Calgary, just North of Banff.  Here is your diving lesson for the day.  Because Calgary is 3740 feet above sea level any diving we do is classified as altitude diving. Calgary falls into the 4000’ category but because Minnewanka is approximately 4540’ it falls into the 5000’ category for diving purposes. The change in altitude means that once you arrive at the dive site you have to wait a bit (usually an hour to hour and a half), for your body to adjust to the new altitude before going in the water.  If you don’t wait you increase your risk of getting decompression sickness (the bends).  Basically I got the Westy so I wouldn’t have to wait as long and I could just camp out in the National park.

If you are interested in diving or want more information about Lake Minnewanka here are a couple of good sites. 

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/natcul/natcul4m1.aspx

http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/Canada/Alberta/Lake_Minnewanka/index.htm

I’ll update later on the transmission problems and what the prognosis is…

Ok here we go!

Well here it is...the back story and the story so far...

Like every hero there is an origin story... here is mine.  I turned 40 this year and complete with my midlife crisis I had the opportunity to buy a VW.  This is not just any VW.  This isn't a Passat or a Tiburon this is a WESTY! I have been hankering for an older VW for a number of years now and have toyed with getting a VW Thing but they are so hard to find in decent shape where I am that I started looking in other directions.  A guy I used to work with has what in the lingo is referred to as a "Bus" and encouraged me to look at them.  So over the past couple of years I would look on the VW web pages and send him a link or two to get his opinion but nothing to serious.

This year though... wow.  It was like a biological clock ticking. 

I found the currently un-named bus online and took my sweet time with it.  We finally agreed on a price and I drove away with it. The first thought that flashed through my head was that I hadn't driven a stick shift since I was about 23, oh and what the hell am I doing.  I managed to navigate and drive it without stalling from downtown Calgary to my home in the South West. Overly pleased with myself I parked it and started unpacking. 

The first few days went without incident I even drove it out to my girlfriends place in Canmore. For those of you who aren’t local to the Calgary area understand that the city of Calgary is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and it’s about 1000 vertical feet difference (uphill) from Calgary to Canmore.  There is one hill in particular.  Scott Lake Hill.  As I drove I happily clipped along at about 90 – 100 kph, until the hill.  By the time I hit the top of the hill I was creeping along at about 60kph.  It’s a different mindset driving in a Westy.  You can’t be in a hurry to go anywhere and you have to smile when you are behind the gigantic steering wheel.