BodesWell

Peace, Brother

Posted on August 28, 2009 by jason13 Comments

We’ve been getting the occasional peace sign.

A ‘hang loose,’ here and there.

The old bus is a magnet for good vibes and we’re the beneficiaries. Since I’m a bit of a nerd, the idea crossed my mind today of creating some sort of heat-map of peace-signing over the US . A contour map of good-vibes from other drivers would be an interesting way to plan a road-trip, although most of us can guess where the hot-spots might be. I’ve seen worse ideas get funded.

Anyway, we’re currently in a good-vibe epicenter. Five today.

They mostly come from other VW drivers. It’s nice when it’s a random Honda. Never a truck.

Amazingly, until today we’ve haven’t seen a single air-cooled VW bus out on the road so far – just in people’s yards. What gives?

When we finally saw one I had such bus withdrawal that I pulled over to chat. We checked out each others rides and swapped advice and stories. Daniel is a super-nice guy who believe it or not(!) is on his way to Guatemala in his bus. Of course, he’s blogging about his trip and you can check it out at http://mytimewellwasted.blogspot.com/

He’s just getting started as well and drove here from Florida.  His travel style is more of the young(er) solo variety.  Lots of ‘stealth camping.’  Pulling over and hiding off the road.  Bar parking lots (“officer, I just had too much to drink and decided to rest”).  Apparently, you can get a ticket for sleeping at a truck stop – it’s for commercial drivers only?  Certainly a thrifty way to travel, but his girlfriend was an early casualty – she was too “high-maintenance” and required electricity.

I used to (still do, I guess) have a theory that the amount of fun you have is proportional to the risk you take.  I see the allure of his travel style, but its just not how to travel with a four year-old kid… or keep a healthy marriage.  I’ve recently been reminded – happy wife, happy life.

Maybe more interesting were his motorcycle trips. From Florida to Oregon on a dirt bike – 80% unpaved. I don’t even know how that’s possible.  From Florida to Guatemala on a dirt bike – the inspiration for his current trip. Anyway, we’re going to keep in touch and who knows – you might see these two buses together again somewhere down the road.