On the Road Again

Unfortunately it’s on the “road”….and not the “river”. Due to Covid-19, Art and I have not yet been able to resume work on the shantyboat this year. Art has begun gathering materials and working on the design for the motor well construction, the next step in the process. But to date, my family and Art have banned me from entering the state of Kentucky due to the virus. How convenient. I suspect my family has been looking for this opportunity for a while.

In the meantime, I decided to hit the road in Zorba (that’s my VW bus for anyone who is new to the blog….or who just hasn’t been paying attention) and give my wife Dianne a break from my presence. I wouldn’t say she insisted, but she did think it was a good idea. Zorba and I hit for the road for five days traveling though Western Massachusetts then up into the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. Our return route brought us back home through Vermont. Got in some great hiking and practiced my social distancing in three states. My only close encounter with danger was when I encountered a fellow hiker in Western Mass who–maskless–shared a rant on how the government is trying to control us through the coronavirus. When the conversation veered into how the government is controlling us through our cell phones I gently backed away and excused myself. Everyone knows that’s its Facebook that controls us, not the government! Come on, man.

Anyone who has followed this blog for a while knows that one of my favorite activities on any road trip is collecting VW mechanics. This trip I discovered Joe at Joe’s Service Center in Shuylerville, NY. Zorba actually had a flawless trip but when I spied the assortment of VW vehicles on his lot I had to stop by. Joe has been working on VWs since 1973 and has passed the curse onto his son Justin who works at the garage with him.

Joe’s current pet project is restoring a 1963 Splittie (split windshield) VW bus that he recently purchased. Joe said it was being used as a drug runner in California (of course it was), needs a little love, and he expects to bring it back to life in a year or two. I checked it out and it needs more than a little love…but I’m sure Joe has it to give. Whether he has the time and money or not…thats the questiion.

Joe’s Splittie

Checkout the outdoor bench used as a front seat. Classic.

If you are looking to own your very own classic vehicle, Joe is selling the sporty 1975 red convertible for a mere $12,000

Joe of Joe’s Service Center, Shuylerville, NY

Finally I want to give a nod to one other individual I had the pleasure of social distancing from during my journey. I was spending the night east of Wallingford, Vermont in the parking area off Route 140 at the junction with the Appalachian Trail. Pipes (great name) came though having started his hike at the southern terminus of the AT on Springer Mountain on March 3rd. He expects to arrive at the northern terminus, Mount Katahdin in Maine, on August 3rd. Pipes chose one of the more difficult ways to quarantine during the pandemic, but as I told him, and as I say to anyone who hikes the AT end to end, “You are the man.” Congrats to Pipes. Only one more state, but several more mountains, to go.

Love the corona beard, Pipes.

As you may notice in the photo above, I purchased a front end bra (yes, that’s what they call it) for Zorba. it’s a little embarrassing for him but it does protect him from bugs and rocks that fly into his face. Given the wonderful job the students at Whittier Tech Vocational School did this past winter giving him a fresh paint job, I felt he deserved the extra protection.

Peace Out