INTRODUCTIONS

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

Here's a suggested outline for introducing yourself to others in the group. 

Look forward to getting to know you.

Hi, I'm _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (name)

1. I own/drive a VW type .....

2. First VW purchase year

3. Location including country

4. Where you have driven in your VW

5. Where you have camped in your VW

6. Most fun moment(s)

7. What got you started in the VW world

8. What you most love about having a VW

9. What you'd like from this group

10. What you'd like to offer to this group

11. Your personal likes/dislikes or something else about you

12. Are you on Facebook? If yes, please post your name (a copy your page address, http:// ...is best), so we can find each other.

13. Anything else?

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Hello everyone,

I'm Carole Brown, owner and driver of the YesWeCan CamperVan, or Dexter (named by previous and first owner, also female).

My VW is a 1971 Bay window Westfalia. 1971 is the last year of the 1600cc engine and small rear lights; first year of disc brakes. A good year apparently.

Currently garaged at friend's home in Millbury, central Massachusetts, USA for the winter. I'm between Millbury and my condo in Provincetown, Cape Cod, which I'm hoping to sell.

In December 2009, I collected my van from the eBay seller (a dealer) and drove 10,000 miles between Oregon and Massachusetts, spending 5 of the 6.5 month journey in California. I camped with other VWs at club events and overnighted free wherever I could; see my blog for where we stayed (http://yeswecanjourney.wordpress.com pages Route, Thanks & Travel tips).

Most fun? So many of examples. I guess it's the SLOW DRAG race at the Spring Fling event held by the Orange Empire Bus Company near Corona, California on 1st Sunday in May. We came 2nd in the 2010 race. Watch the youtube video of the final here.

What got me started was a reunion with cousins in the UK in August 2009, some of whom had VW vans and buses.

What I love most about my camper van is that it's like the dog I don't yet have: it introduces me to other people who are always nice (like you) AND it makes others (and me) smile! My THANKS page on my blog makes me smile very time I read it; the people who befriended my and my VW van on the road between OR and MA were wonderful. When I set off, I knew only three people I was going to visit. I could never have imagined all the new friends that were ahead.

I'd like this group to be about supporting each one of us with our dreams related to our VWs, building confidence for our travels, and giving us connections across the USA and around the world. I'd also like to gain more understanding of my VW and ways to keep it in tip top condition.

What I can bring to this group is my initiative for starting new things; my energy and enthusiasm, skills in social media, blog design, writing and photography; and my strange British sense of humour.

Something about me: I dreamed of coming to America yet never knew it would take 15 years for my green card (which allows me to live and work in USA). During all those years I flew back and forth countless times, living half a year in Massachusetts and half in England. Now I'm here, I'm ready to start my life over. At the age of 55 it's a bit of a challenge! My YesWeCan road trip in 2010 was to inspire me and others to follow our dreams.

I'm on Facebook as The YesWeCan CamperVan and Carole Brown

ALSO PLEASE JOIN ME HERE at the YesWeCan Journey blog

I can't wait to meet you all!

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

Hi Molly, Delighted to meet you and loved reading your introduction.

Would you please join my 71 VW bus at 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-YesWeCan-CamperVan/203679777444

and also check out my blog at http://vw4causes.org which talks about my 6000 miles just completed driving across country for a little known disease called MG. There's loads of info on the website and also links at bottom of each page to my Facebook pages and twitter accounts.

I had two friends die last week from MG complications, so I would appreciate you spreading the word. MG is one of over 100 auto-immune diseases, which are now responsible for more cases of illness in the USA than cancer. 75% of those cases are in women, so please excuse me mentioning this information here on a VW group but I am mentioning my voluntary work  with my VW since it's so relevant to any women's group.

From my VW page on FB you'll find my personal FB page. If you send me a friend invitation, I can then invite you to join the VW women group on FB which is 'secret'.

Cheers, Carole

T. Betty Samuels said:

Hi, my name is Molly Samuels and I am writing from Hampton, VA USA. 

I have a long history of VW addiction beginning with a 1962 Bettle that I learned to drive on.

In college I bought a '70 convertible Bettle & a '71 Ghia.

As a 'grown up' I have had a '98 Passat, '02 Golf (OK, that one was my husband's!) and an '03 Jetta TDI.

Last week I sold my beloved 2004 Passat Wagon to make room in the driveway (and in the checkbook) for BETTY.

Betty is a blue 1982 Westy that my neighbors loved very dearly until about 2 1/2 years ago, when she was parked.

She hasn't cranked since and I'm not sure where to begin, so I'm starting with cleaning her up!

Sounds silly, but I know I am can handle soap, Windex and ArmorAll! I have a 5 year old son and we are already enjoying picnics in the driveway! 

I also make and sell natural soap. I am looking forward to getting Betty on the road and have already talked to an artist friend about possibly doing a vinyl wrap :) With or without the wrap, I hope she be a ton of fun at the fairs & festivals!

I am rambling now... I am posting here after a fellow VW Bus friend suggested we start a dog-friendly, VW centric version of Sisters on the Fly. If you aren't familiar with SOTF, look them up. I LOVE WHAT THEY ARE DOING and would love to get a group of VW Women on the road together!

I see several posts regarding a Facebook page for this group and I hate to admit it but FB is really easy for me and I have no idea how this forum works :) You can find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mollysamuels I hope to see YOU there!

Molly Samuels

the [e-mail]

[Cat Randall]

I can never tell on this website who is talking to who... lol  Are you responding to me or Belinda, Carole?  Anyhow, happy vanning!  I will recommend your page to my friends on facebook too!   :)

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

Hi Cat, Usually I show the person to whom I am replying below, like your note now below this reply of mine. 
I'm not sure which earlier note of mine you are referring to, because there is no note attached to your message. 
I converse mostly on Facebook. Are you on there?

Cheers, Carole

Cat Randall said:

I can never tell on this website who is talking to who... lol  Are you responding to me or Belinda, Carole?  Anyhow, happy vanning!  I will recommend your page to my friends on facebook too!   :)

[Regan Lanning]

Hi everyone! My name is Regan and I drive (in the summer) a 73 vanagon. She is pumpkin orange and a much valued member of our family. We just picked her up in mid September, but she made it the 3 hour drive home. The van needs some TLC, as she is pretty bare bones as of now. First things on the agenda this spring are seatbelts for the kids, and a new sliding door.

We have a couple folk fests picked out to attend this coming year, the first being only a couple hours from home incase anything goes wrong. Lol. Shifting is an unique experience every day as apparently she rearranges her gear placement while the rest of the family sleeps. :) My husband isn't much of a manual transmission guy, so I will be doing the majority of the driving... Which is great by me!

My favorite thing about driving my van? People can't help but smile when they see you coming!

I live in Saskatchewan, Canada. Spent some time in Vermont in my late teens, and 4 years just outside Cincinnati where I married my husband. We have 2 children who love the van and are responsible for finding her perfect name.

Glad to meet you all! FB - Regan Lanning, and Regan's Reclamations.

[Carole & the 'YesWeCanCamperVan']

Lovely to meet you Regan. Sorry haven't been here in a while. If you use facebook, please message me through my FB account (at http://www.facebook.com/carole.brown1) so I can invite you to join the more frequently visited VW Women group there.

It's great that you found the introductions section and gave us all a great picture of you, your family and your driving a VW. Hope to hear from you soon, Carole

Regan Lanning said:

Hi everyone! My name is Regan and I drive (in the summer) a 73 vanagon. She is pumpkin orange and a much valued member of our family. We just picked her up in mid September, but she made it the 3 hour drive home. The van needs some TLC, as she is pretty bare bones as of now. First things on the agenda this spring are seatbelts for the kids, and a new sliding door.

We have a couple folk fests picked out to attend this coming year, the first being only a couple hours from home incase anything goes wrong. Lol. Shifting is an unique experience every day as apparently she rearranges her gear placement while the rest of the family sleeps. :) My husband isn't much of a manual transmission guy, so I will be doing the majority of the driving... Which is great by me!

My favorite thing about driving my van? People can't help but smile when they see you coming!

I live in Saskatchewan, Canada. Spent some time in Vermont in my late teens, and 4 years just outside Cincinnati where I married my husband. We have 2 children who love the van and are responsible for finding her perfect name.

Glad to meet you all! FB - Regan Lanning, and Regan's Reclamations.